White Sands Gypsum Dune Field

White Sands National Park protects an otherworldly landscape of pure white gypsum sand dunes that shift constantly in the desert wind. Unlike typical silica sand, gypsum stays cool underfoot even in blazing sun, making barefoot exploration comfortable. The 8-mile Dunes Drive loops through the heart of the field, with multiple pullouts for hiking and sand sledding. Sunset and sunrise paint the dunes in pastel colors that photographers chase religiously.

The park entrance is on US-70 between Las Cruces and Roswell. Dunes Drive requires standard clearance but sand occasionally drifts across the pavement — park rangers keep it clear. Missile testing at adjacent White Sands Missile Range occasionally closes the park for a few hours. Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F, but the white sand reflects heat rather than absorbing it like darker surfaces.

World's largest gypsum dune field