Camping at White Sands: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations and Rates
White Sands isn't an ordinary camping park. The only campsite inside the park is a primitive backcountry site in the heart of the gypsum dunes, accessible on foot and without water or electricity. There are no traditional campgrounds with restrooms and hookups. Here, you'll sleep under New Mexico's stars in a stark white, otherworldly landscape. For families or RV travelers looking for more comfort, the campgrounds around Alamogordo step in less than 19 miles away.
In brief: There is one type of camping in the park (primitive backcountry camping), about a dozen numbered sites, permits issued the same day at the visitor center, and no water or electrical hookups. For anything else, head to campgrounds outside the park.
Campgrounds in the park (1)
- Campground Backcountry Camping first come, first served · 10 sites Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Can you camp inside White Sands?
Yes, as long as you're willing to follow backcountry camping rules. White Sands has no developed campground, no restrooms, no drinking water, and no electricity inside the park. The only on-site option is backcountry camping, a primitive, year-round option with about a dozen marked sites accessible on foot from Dunes Drive.
Camping outside designated sites is strictly prohibited. Fires are also prohibited in every season. The risk of fire in the gypsum dunes is real, and rangers enforce the rule.
Campsites in the park: backcountry camping
Backcountry sites (primitive campsites)
The park offers about a dozen numbered primitive sites, accessible after a roughly 0.9-mile walk from the main road. Each site is marked and equipped with metal anchor stakes, which are essential for securing a tent in high winds. Shared vault toilets serve neighboring sites.
What you'll find: a marked campsite, anchor stakes, and a vault toilet within a reasonable distance. What you won't find: water, trash cans, electricity, or a place to restock supplies.
Each site generally accommodates 2 to 6 people. A group may occupy only one site.
The park entrance fee is charged in addition to the backcountry camping permit. For current backcountry permit rates, check White Sands' official NPS page, since fees may change during the year.
RV vs. tent camping: what you need to know
RVs can't park inside the park overnight. Large vehicles, especially those over 23 feet long, are also discouraged on Dunes Drive because of the tight turns and narrow shoulders.
If you're tent camping: backcountry camping is your only option inside the park. Bring a backpack large enough for all your gear, including water. Plan on at least 3 liters per person for the night, and more in summer.
If you're traveling by RV or van: stay at a developed campground outside the park. Alamogordo, 15 miles east on US Highway 70, has several options with water and electrical hookups, plus dump stations. Our RV camping guide around White Sands covers the best-located options.
Camping nearby: campgrounds outside the park
When the park is full or you need amenities, two areas stand out.
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is about 16 miles south of Alamogordo. It offers tent and RV sites, with water, electricity at some sites, and showers. The Sacramento Mountains provide a scenic alternative to the gypsum desert, about a 30-minute drive from the park entrance.
Alamogordo has several private campgrounds and RV parks in town, all less than 30 minutes away. It's convenient if you arrive late in the afternoon or are traveling with family.
Our White Sands lodging guide covers hotels, motels, and lodges for those who would rather skip the tent.
Backcountry camping: the permit
White Sands backcountry camping operates with an in-person permit system. There are no online reservations and no six-month booking window through Recreation.gov. Instead, go to the visitor center the same day, before the permit desk closes, and get your permit on site, subject to availability.
With only about a dozen sites, they fill early on fall weekends and during U.S. school vacations. Arrive at the visitor center in the morning to secure a campsite.
Our White Sands hiking guide covers the routes to the sites from Dunes Drive, as well as the trails you can combine from your campsite.
How and when to reserve a campsite at White Sands
Advance reservations through Recreation.gov: not available for backcountry camping. Everything is handled in person at the visitor center on the day you arrive.
Hours to keep in mind: the permit desk closes before sunset, and the park itself closes 30 minutes after local sunset. Rangers recommend arriving before noon on busy days.
Best time to camp: fall (October and November) and late spring (late April through May). Summer nights stay hot, often above 72°F, and spring is windy. Our guide to the best seasons at White Sands helps you choose based on your tolerance for heat and wind.
Rates: how much does a night at White Sands cost?
Every camper must pay the park entrance fee:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle (7 days) | $25 |
| Pedestrian or cyclist | $15 |
| Motorcycle | $20 |
| White Sands annual pass | $45 |
The backcountry camping permit is charged separately and paid for at the visitor center. Our National parks fees and passes guide explains the America the Beautiful Pass ($80 per year, valid at all federal recreation sites) and when it pays off for a multi-park trip.
Safety and best practices
White Sands presents challenges that most parks don't.
Heat and dehydration: summer temperatures regularly climb to 100–104°F. White gypsum reflects ultraviolet radiation, so sunburn can happen faster than expected even on partly cloudy days. Bring at least 3 to 4 liters of water per person per night, not counting the round-trip walk to the site.
Getting lost in the dunes: the uniform white landscape erases visual reference points in every direction. Record a GPS waypoint for your campsite as soon as you set up. At night, it's easy to lose the trail with only a headlamp. When we visited in October, several campers had simply left their shoes outside the tent as a visual marker. It worked, but the GPS waypoint remains the surest safeguard.
Wildlife: White Sands is home to rattlesnakes and scorpions. Shake out your shoes and clothing in the morning before putting them on. Never turn over a rock with your bare hands.
Wind: spring brings powerful gusts that can flatten an under-equipped tent. Sturdy anchor stakes and taut guy lines are essential.
Check the official NPS website or ask the rangers at the visitor center if you have questions about park regulations.
Which campground should you choose?
You're tent camping and want an unusual experience: the backcountry sites are for you. Arrive early at the visitor center, carry all your water, and you'll spend the night in a setting no other American park offers. Our complete White Sands guide provides the broader context you need to plan your trip.
You're traveling with young children or in an RV: choose a developed campground in Alamogordo or at Oliver Lee State Park. The services and comfort more than make up for the 25- to 30-minute drive to the entrance. Our guide to visiting White Sands with kids lists family-friendly facilities.
You're hiking and want to string together trails at dawn: backcountry camping puts you at the center of the trail network. Read our Hiking guide before choosing your site so you can plan for the distances and elevation changes.
Frequently asked questions
Can you camp at White Sands National Park?
Yes. You can camp at White Sands in primitive backcountry sites in the dunes, accessible on foot from Dunes Drive. The park has no developed campground with running water or electricity.
Which campground should you choose at White Sands?
If you want an immersive experience in the gypsum dunes, the backcountry sites, with permits issued at the visitor center the same day, are the obvious choice. For more comfort or when traveling by RV, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park and the campgrounds in Alamogordo are the best-located alternatives.
When should you reserve a campsite at White Sands?
White Sands backcountry camping doesn't accept advance reservations. You can only get the permit in person at the visitor center on the day you arrive. During the busy season, including fall and spring weekends, arrive before noon to secure a site.
How do you camp at White Sands?
To camp at White Sands, go to the visitor center on the day you arrive, get a backcountry camping permit, and then walk to your marked site in the dunes. Bring all the water and food you'll need because there are no facilities on site.
How much does a campsite at White Sands cost?
The park entrance fee is $25 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. The backcountry camping permit is extra and paid for at the visitor center. Check the exact amount on the official White Sands NPS website before your visit because fees are revised periodically.
Are there bears or alligators at White Sands?
No. White Sands is a gypsum desert in New Mexico, far from bear and alligator country. The local wildlife to watch for includes rattlesnakes and scorpions, which may crawl under shoes and clothing left on the ground. Always shake out your gear before using it.