Backcountry Camping Trail

Spend a night under the stars in one of the more beautiful places to take it all in. White Sands National Monument offers camping to “backpackers” who have the ability to hike out into the dunes to set up camp for an overnight adventure. The closest site will be .75 miles away while the farthest site is 1.1 miles away.

There are ten “camping sites” available on a first come first serve basis. They cannot do advanced reservations because of the possibility of the park closing due to missile tests at the adjacent military base. Permits are available until one hour before sunset and to obtain a permit you simply need to go to the front desk in the ranger station and ask!

Camping gives you the best way to photograph the dunes as well. Depending on the time of year you cannot catch the entire sunrise or sunset because of the park hours; if you camp you no longer have to worry about getting back to the gate before the ranger locks you in the for night. (They do not lock you in but they will call search and rescue if you are not back in time.)

Tips:

• There is no water or toilet facility when you hike out onto the dunes, so make sure you fill up at the ranger station before you head out.
• Fires are not permitted on the dunes, but self contained camping stoves are!
• You need to follow the red markers that lead out deep into the dunes. Keep in mind that there are multiple backpacker trails and you need to follow the symbol on the trailhead you started at.