Dog-Friendly White Sands
I love US National Parks, but so many of them are not very dog-friendly. White Sands National Park allows dogs in all outdoor areas, as long as they are on a leash!
Walking along the dunes at White Sands feels like being in another world. The bright white sand against a bright blue sky is stunning. The sunsets are breath-taking. There are “trails” you can follow with tall trail markers sticking out of the sand, but they may fall over due to high winds. You can rent a sled from the gift shop and sled down the dunes. My first visit to White Sands was on a school trip in 7th grade, and I had a lot more fun with the sleds at that age. As an adult, I think the sled was over-priced for the experience.
My cell service was inconsistent throughout the park, so I would download a couple maps on AllTrails before you drive to White Sands! I did this for the Alkali Flats Trail. Whenever I go hiking, I start an activity on the RunKeeper app so I can keep track of where I’ve gone and follow my footsteps back to where I parked, if needed.
It can get very hot at White Sands, so bring plenty of water for you and your pup! The sun reflecting off the sand makes it extremely bright, which means my phone battery went quickly with all of the pictures and videos I was taking with my phone at full brightness. I always bring a portable charger with me on hikes - this is my favorite (I actually never leave home without one).
During the summer, the sand can get too hot for dogs’ paws to handle, and wind may blow sand into their eyes. Consider booties and goggles for your doggo! Alice and I visited White Sands in late-February, and we lucked out with just-about-perfect weather.
White Sands National Park is about a 3.5-hour drive from Albuquerque and a 1.5-hour drive from El Paso. I flew into Albuquerque and stopped Sofia’s Kitchen & Burrito Tyme in Socorro on my way down - one of the best burritos I have ever had! I stayed at the Best Western Mission Inn in Las Cruces, which is about an hour from the park. I had an amazing New Mexican dinner at La Posta de Mesilla, highly recommend the tacos.
There is a missile range next to the park that causes the park to close on occasion. Check here for scheduled closures!
Come back soon to learn about our time in Santa Fe, NM, after we left White Sands!