How To Chill Out In The White Sands Of The “Lazy Day National Park”

White Sands National Park 📍 Mescalero Apache Land

White Sands National Park Experience Review

Who knew that there were such epic sand dunes in the USA? I sure didn’t until I got to play and wander in two places that offered stunning dune experiences: White Sands National Park and the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

While the Great Sand Dunes claim the title of having the tallest dunes in North America, White Sands shouldn’t be overlooked for the simplicity and beauty that they offer. (You can read more about the Great Sand Dunes here!) We call this the “Lazy Day National Park.” It’s not the biggest or most diverse national park that I’ve been to, (it’s just full of desert, scurrying small creatures and white sand) but epic and worth visiting nonetheless. The park is pretty small, so this you can expect this guide to be as well.

Is White Sands National Park Man Made?

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

Khalil Gibran

This is a question that may be asked by visitors who spend some time in this white world of wonder. The NPS gives us a small history lesson and says: “Long ago, an ancient sea covered most of the southwestern United States. It was during this time that layers of gypsum were deposited on the seafloor. The rise and fall of the sea level millions of years ago started the process of making the gypsum sand that covers the monument today. Many factors, including the latest ice age, had an effect on the formation of this magnificent landscape.” You can read on about the historical geology of White Sands on the NPS website.

What To Do At White Sands

It’s easy to appreciate the fun, easy-going, and cleansing vibe that White Sands emits. It’s an incredible place to let children and companion animals run loose and play, have a plant-based picnic, take a sand sled for a spin, soak up the sun while earthing in the pure earth pieces, or create a stunning photoshoot.

White Sands National Park Hikes

White Sands National Park is decently small, offering oceans of dunes to explore, some shorter marked hikes, and camping for those who receive a permit. Be sure to bring plenty of water (that can be found for free at the visitors center), sunblock, clothing layers that provide protection from the sun or wind, sunglasses (trust me on this one!), and your adventurous spirit.

White Sands National Park Sledding

If you’re itching to get intimate with the sand, be sure to buy a sled from the visitors center or bring your own. If you’re usually traveling on a budget like me, be mindful not to crack or break your rental and the park will buy it back from you, saving you some cash for future adventures. Pretty great, huh?

If you’ve visited the park before, or feel inspired and head that way after reading this post, drop a comment below and tell us about your experience!

Traveling the USA to visit the national parks? View our guides to a handful of national parks here.