Alkali Flats Trail: Exploring White Sands National Park
- Stephen Warner
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
White Sands National Park’s name isn’t deceiving. The park is just that—vast white sand dunes stretching along the New Mexico horizon. And one of the best ways to explore it? Just wander. Dig your toes into the cool gypsum sand (if it’s not too hot) and lose yourself in this surreal landscape.
Trail Info
Trailhead Name | Alkali Flats Trail |
Distance | 5 miles / 8 km (loop) |
Estimated time | 2-4 hours |
Elevation gain | 250 ft / 75 m |
Highest point | 4,000 ft / 1,220 m (Along trail) |
Permits / fees | National park fee |
Parking | Paved lot |
Toilets? | Yes |
Dog friendly? | Yes |
Know before you go
Doing the full loop won’t necessarily give you a better perspective of the dunes. The loop takes you to the edge of the flats, but you’re not missing much if you turn around early or stick close to the parking lot.
Navigation is a bit tricky. Wooden posts mark the general route, but they’re spaced far enough apart that you often can’t see the next one, especially with winds constantly shifting the landscape. Footprints and even markers disappear quickly. Bring a GPS.
This hike can get hot hot hot. Start early to avoid roasting your feet on the sand, and bring more water than you think you’ll need.
Heads up this area is subject to road closures. White Sands borders an active military testing area. Since the 1940s, missiles like the V-2 and modern defense systems have been tested nearby. The park and highway occasionally close during tests, so check ahead.
Other trails nearby
This is the only major trail in the park. There are a few short strolls—the Interdune Boardwalk, Playa Trail, and the Dune Life Nature Trail—but none offer the immersive dune experience that Alkali Flats does. If you're here to log some miles, this is your trail.
The Trail
Want to just see some sweet dune shots? Jump to Dunes Photo Shoot
Let’s do this thing! The trailhead sign doesn’t sugarcoat it: dehydration is a serious risk out here. Even though this loop isn’t particularly long, the sun, sand, and lack of shade can turn it into a challenge fast. Start early.
I decided to do the trail clockwise. At first, it’s pretty straightforward. The sand is more packed near the trailhead, and the markers are easier to follow.
But the deeper you go, the more things shift. The sand softens, the dunes steepen, and the markers get more spaced out And sometimes all you see is...
.... a big ass dune you have to climb.
Looking back at our footprints—those tell the story of the effort.
Ah, the next marker! Time to climb again. Then search. Then climb. You get the idea.
Eventually, the dunes give way to flat, cracked earth. If you follow the markers to their end, you’ll reach a Restricted Area sign. This marks the edge of the loop and also the boundary of the White Sands Missile Range.
Once you hit that sign, it’s time to start searching for the next marker on your way back.
Eventually, the markers lead you back to the trailhead (and back to civilization).
Breakfast idea? I vote New Mexican breakfast burrito.
Dunes Photo Shoot
But now for what I think is the real highlight of this hike: taking an absurd number of dune photos. So here are a few of my favorites (titled accordingly).
Windswept Texture - Look at this sand. Just... look at it. Nature's version of raked zen garden vibes.
Couple on Dune Watching Sunset - Classic romantic moment. Probably whispering something like, "Did you bring snacks?"
Man on Dune Watching Sunset- Dramatic. Reflective. Also possibly contemplating snacks.
Man Walking Into Dunes at Sunset- Into the dunes we go—like a movie poster for Dune (stay clear of the worms bud).
Man on Dunes Taking Photos- It’s a photo... of a guy... taking a photo. Meta. Artistic. Probably crooked.
Man on Dunes with Dog - Yes, dogs can hike here too. Bonus points if yours comes up to me for pets.
Dune Footsteps - A fading trail of footprints stretching into the glow.
SS Reflections
White Sands is an odd place. At first glance, its history as a missile testing site might make you pause. “Wait, we’re hiking where they shoot rockets?” But once you’re out there walking the dunes, that unease fades and gets replaced by awe.
Growing up in Florida and living in Hawaii for five years, I’ve seen my fair share of sand. But desert dune sand hits different. It’s cooler, smoother, and somehow more dramatic—like it knows it’s being photographed.
There’s something about the constantly shifting textures, the way each footprint tells a short-lived story before the wind wipes it clean. It's beautiful, humbling... and will have you cleaning the sand out of your shoes for days.
Other helpful resources
NPS official webpage about this trail
