White Sands Visitor Center and Trading PostThe White Sands Visitor Center and Trading Post is an excellent location to start your trip. Park rangers, museum exhibits, and the park film are all available to answer your questions and help you learn more about the park. The park bookstore allows you to purchase merchandise and educational materials about the park. The trading post which is located on the west end of the visitor center provideds food, water, and a large selection of souveniers.Please note, the visitor center is the only place in White Sands that has water filling stations and water bottles for purchase. 
NPS Photo, Patrick Kark Accessible ParkingThe White Sands Visitor has two parking lots. The front parking lot (closest to Highway 70) has two accessible parking areas and ramp next to the restrooms. These are marked with blue lines and the international access symbol. Accessible parking spaces are reserved for vehicles displaying an accessibility placard or license plate.This parking lot is also the area that provides parking for oversized vehicles. The back parking lot (next to the White Sands Trading Post entrance) has two accessible parking areas and a ramp. Accessible RestroomsThe restrooms at the visitor center are located in a standalone building, just south of the main visitor center. There is one accessible stall located in each of the men and women restrooms. There are no restrooms available in the main visitor center.Getting Around the Visitor CenterThe visitor center is accessible from either parking lot. A courtyard with accessible ramps allows access in between the visitor center and trading post without having to go around. All walkways in the visitor center exceeds 36 inches wide, and has a proper turnaround radius at cash registers.Ranger ProgramsPatio talk programs and the parks solar viewing program are both accessible ranger programs at White Sands occuring at the visitor center. Learn about a variety of topics about White Sands in the accessible courtyard in the center of the visitor center. The solar program also offers an adjustable eyepiece to help everyone see the sun through this special telescope.Dunes DriveThe dunes drive is an 8-mile road that leaves from the visitor center and heads into the heart of the dunes. The first half of the road is paved asphalt, the second half of the road in compacted sand. Most vehicles, including trucks pulling trailers have no issues navigating dunes drive.Accessible ParkingLarge parking areas are located throughout dunes drive. One parking lot located at the Dune LIfe Nature Trail is graveled and has two distinct areas for regular cars and oversized vehicles. All other parking lots along dunes drive are large compacted sand parking lots.Accessible RestroomsAccessible vault toilets are located throughout dunes drives including every trailhead and picnic area.TrailsThe interdune boardwalk is the only accessible trail in White Sands. This 0.5 mile round trip trail runs across a boardwalk with multiple waysides along the trail interpreting the interdune habitat. There are multiple benches and a covered pavillion located halfway down the trail. Blowing sand can make the trail impassable for wheelchairs. Please notify rangers at the visitor center or by calling 575-479-6124 if sand is covering the trail.
NPS Photo, Patrick Kark Picnic AreasThere are three picnic areas along the dunes drive. Yucca, Primrose, and Roadrunner. Primrose and Roadrunner are located adjacent to eachother. Each picnic area is a large plowed and compacted sand area along dunes drive.Accessible ParkingThe parking areas for each picnic area are large compacted sand areas. Parking is available next to each individual shelter or pavillion.Accessible RestroomsVault toilets with accessible stalls are located at each of the picnic areas.Accessible Picnic SheltersBackcountry Camping Trailhead Parking Area
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Last updated: November 13, 2023