Is White Sands open right now?
From the NPS
Current alerts
1 closure4 information
- Park Closure
Dunes Drive Safety Corridor
Dunes Drive is open. A safety corridor is in effect between mile marker 3 and 5.5 along Dunes Drive. Visitors may drive but not stop or exit their vehicle in this area.
More on nps.gov - Information
Backcountry Camping Closed
Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.
- Information
Interdune Boardwalk Closed
Due to the active safety corridor, the Interdune Boardwalk is closed. Please visit the park visitor center to learn about other options during your visit.
- Information
Park Closures
From time to time the missile range that surrounds the park performs military testing that may require the closure of the park or Highway 70. Please plan your visit around upcoming military tests.
More on nps.gov - Information
RV and Tractor Trailer Parking at the Visitor Center
There is limited space for parking for recreational vehicles and trailers in the parking lot directly in front (south) of the visitor center. RVs are asked to not park in the lot behind the visitor center. There is no parking space for tractor trailers.
Checked Oct 1, 2026, 3:39 PM ET from the NPS alerts feed. Closures can be partial (one road or trail), so read each alert.
Opening hours (NPS)
Standard Park Hours
monday 7:00AM - Sunset tuesday 7:00AM - Sunset wednesday 7:00AM - Sunset thursday 7:00AM - Sunset friday 7:00AM - Sunset saturday 7:00AM - Sunset sunday 7:00AM - Sunset
FAQ
White Sands: open or closed?
- Is White Sands National Park open year-round?
- The National Park Service says: "The park gates always open at 7:00 am with closing hours changing with sunset. The park closes 30 minutes after local sunset. Local sunset is 8 minutes earlier than Alamogordo's predicted sunset. Sunset times can be found at https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/alamogordo-nm" Roads, campgrounds and visitor centers can still close for the season or for weather, so check current alerts.
- How do I check closures at White Sands?
- This page lists the park's current NPS alerts, refreshed hourly. The National Park Service's own current-conditions page for White Sands is the authority for road status and closures.
Sources · 3
- 1.White Sands National Park — current conditions · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — alerts · National Park Service
- 3.NPS Visitor Use Statistics — monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (IRMA stats REST service) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) — Visitor Use Statistics Program
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