The top 3 hiking trails at White Sands National Park

Hike the dunes.

Venture into the wonderful world of White Sands National Park. Miles of bright white sand make this New Mexico park a uniquely gorgeous place for hiking. Trails travel along the dunes and treat visitors to a look at the hypnotic landscapes, curious critters, and intriguing plants found throughout the desert. Before you take a trip to the park, explore this guide to the region’s three best hiking trails.

As you might expect, a desert hike will expose you to a lot of sunlight. Protect yourself from sunburn with a quality sunscreen, and bring more than enough water. You don’t want to ruin a great hike with dehydration or burns. If you need to replace any old or unreliable hiking gear, check out this gear guide before your park visit.

Now that you’re geared up for a desert adventure, here are the three best hiking trails at White Sands National Park.

Explore the strange and dreamy landscapes of White Sands National Park

Sled down the dunes.

Miles of bright white sand give White Sands National Park its name. The gypsum sand dunes stretch across 275 square miles to form the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.

For some guests, seeing this glowing desert is a spiritual experience. The strange yet dreamy landscape leaves people in awe at the world’s diverse environments. With so much beauty to behold at this park, many visitors are left wondering how to make the most of a trip there. Make your trip-planning easy with this guide to the area’s best sights. Here are seven incredible things to do and see at White Sands National Park.

Step into the unknown by visiting these lesser-known national parks

Go on an adventure by visiting these hidden gems.

While millions of people know and love Yosemite and Yellowstone, many less-visited national parks are waiting to become your new favorite destination. Want to trek through a sandy desert? There’s a park for that. Curious to see caribou swimming through a river? There’s a park for that, too. Stretching from Alaska to American Samoa, these underrated natural wonders welcome guests for the adventure of a lifetime. Check out these hidden gems to inspire your next trip.