If you’re considering visiting the White Sands Park in New Mexico, but have no idea what to expect, look no further. I’ll discuss what to wear, what you’ll want to bring with you and how to make the most of your time at this one-of-a-kind destination.
What to Wear
This is going to depend on the time of year you visit. I traveled to White Sands in the dead of winter, so temperatures ranged from 25° – 45°F. If you’re planning on going in the summer, make sure to do some extra research on appropriate attire. I did hear it can get brutally hot, so keep that in mind.
High Top Shoes
Preferably boots, but if high top sneakers are all you have, go with those. The high tops will keep the sand from filling up your shoes. Believe me, it’s worth it. This will also provide more stability when you are trudging around the dunes. Bonus points if you have hiking boots or snow boots. Obviously this is weather dependent, but the time of year I went, snow boots were perfect. If it’s going to be chilly, make sure to wear thick socks.
Tip: If you do get sand in your shoes, make sure to empty them out before getting back in the car!
Layers (for cold weather)
This is especially important if it’s cold. We arrived around 10:00am and it was frigid with a high of 40°F that day. I was wrapped up in two top layers, two pairs of pants, gloves and a beanie and was still shivering! Once we ventured out over a couple of dunes, I shed my jacket… then my long sleeve shirt… then my gloves. It was a combination of the killer cardio the hills demanded and the sand heating up from the sun. Bottom line: Wear clothing you can easily shed if needed.
What to Bring
Backpack
I will admit… this is not something I showed up with, but heavily regretted not having. By the time you bring your supplies and start shedding layers, it’s nice to have a bag to throw them in. Just be sure to empty out everything unnecessary for the park, as you don’t want to feel like a camel in the desert.
Supplies
And by that, I mean the things you know you should bring, but really—actually—should take with you. Water, chapstick, sunglasses, snacks, sunscreen and a charged phone are probably the most essential items. It’s a little bit of a commitment, but I ended up bringing my professional camera and captured some amazing shots.
What to Do
Go to the Visitor Center
When you arrive at the park, stop at the gift shop located in the visitor center. It’s a great opportunity to grab any souvenirs you may want (I personally loved the iron-on patches) and use the restroom. Also, keep your eye out for snow/sand discs.
Find Sand Discs
The gift shop sells sand discs for $20 a piece, but many times, visitors will leave them behind for the next people to use. We were lucky enough to find two of them someone had left on the ground and confirmed with the employees they were up for grabs. These saucer-type sleds are used for sliding down the sand dunes (I’m holding one in the picture above). If you are lucky enough to score two of them, it’s fun to race.
Exploring the Dunes
Do not stop at the first parking lot once you get inside the park grounds. Keep driving about 10 minutes into the park to find a more secluded spot. Everyone will be crowding the first few lots and it’s not nearly as picturesque to walk around where hundreds of people have already imbedded their footprints in the sand.
We parked in a lot with maybe one other car. From the moment we stepped out onto the sand, it was as if we were the first people to ever set foot there. It was absolutely breathtaking to look as far as you could see and not a single person or footprint was in the sand. We ventured out into the desert and raced each other down the dunes on the sand discs.
Don’t Lose Your Sense of Direction
You’re in a desert. You’ve seen the movies… After a couple hours of exploring, I turned around to head back to the car and had no idea where I was. I was very lucky to be with my friends who had kept track of where the parking lot was. Before you venture out, identify a landmark (mountains, tops of buildings, etc.), so you can keep a sense of direction. You can’t always rely on following your footprints, since the wind can easily blow sand over them and cover the tracks.
An Experience Like No Other
I have to say White Sands is up there on my favorites list. No visit will ever be alike. The dune formations are constantly changing, so you will be hiking on completely different formations each time you visit. This is a must-see park!
