How to Sand Sled in White Sands National Park in 2025

We recently visited White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico and had a blast sledding down its bright, otherworldly gypsum dunes. As the seventh national park on our journey to visit all the US National Parks, White Sands quickly became a favorite, as our dog, Ollie, was welcome everywhere—pretty rare for U.S. national parks. Sledding the dunes is one of the most iconic things to do here, so we put together this step-by-step guide on exactly how we did it—from how to rent a sled to where to find the best dunes.

1. Enter White Sands National Park

We entered White Sands through the main entrance off U.S. Highway 70, rolling in around noon after driving up from Carlsbad Caverns. If you’re an early riser, you can beat the crowds and enjoy the dunes in cooler morning light as early as 7:00 a.m., when the park opens.

Entrance fees range from $15–$25, depending on your mode of transportation. Since we’re on a mission to visit all of the US National Parks, we’ve invested in an America the Beautiful Pass, which costs $80 per year. This covered admission for both of us. If you’re planning to visit a few national parks in a year, this pass pays for itself quickly.

2. Rent a Sled at the Visitor Center

You can rent sleds inside the gift shop at the White Sands Visitor Center once it opens at 9:00 a.m. As of 2025, rentals cost $15 for the classic round sled or $20 for a board-style version. We went with the $15 option and took turns riding it. We haven’t heard of sleds running out, but we still recommend you pick them up earlier in the day, just in case.

Wax is also available to help your sled glide faster. We skipped it and definitely noticed the difference, so in hindsight, we’d recommend investing the $2-3 in some wax.

If you’d rather avoid the rental process or want to save a few bucks, you can buy a sled ahead of time or grab one at the local Walmart. If you’re staying in a nearby Airbnb, we’ve heard that the owners sometimes provide sleds fit for sand sledding to their guests.

3. Drive Out to the Dunes

After grabbing your sled, hop back in the car and head towards the dunes. Although you can go sand sledding anywhere within the park, there are a few recommended sledding areas.

1. Roadrunner Picnic Area — Large park area about 20 minutes from the visitor center by car with parking, picnic tables, and shorter dunes (perfect for safe sledding with smaller children).
2. Alkali Flat Trailhead — This area is about 25 minutes from the visitor center by car and offers parking and some of the tallest dunes in the park. We were going to go here, but part of the road was temporarily closed from 7–9 a.m. during our visit while the park cleared sand off the road.
3. Dune Life Nature Trail — We ended up heading to this area during our visit instead of the Alkali Flat Trailhead. Compared to the previous two options, it’s much closer to the entrance of the park and still offers great sledding.

4. Locate a Steep Dune & Wax Your Sled

Now, look for a steep dune with minimal vegetation—bonus points if you see sled marks already carved into the sand. Those existing tracks mean the sand’s packed down, giving you better traction and a faster ride. Also, look for a dune with a flat, sandy, and gradual run-off at the bottom to avoid any jolting stops.

If you want to glide down the dunes (instead of slowly scooting), don’t skip the wax. Waxing the bottom of your sled reduces friction on the gypsum sand, making your rides way faster and a lot more fun. To apply it, warm it in your hands, then rub it in a circular motion across the entire bottom surface of the sled. Reapply as needed after every few runs.

5. Start Sledding!

Climb to the top, settle into your sled criss-cross applesauce, lift the edges of your sled slightly (especially if you’re using a circular one), and lean back as you take off. If the sand isn’t compact enough to start on its own, use your hands to give yourself a push. Now all that’s left to do is enjoy sledding in White Sands National Park!

🎒 What to Pack for Sledding

The white sand at White Sands National Park reflects sunlight intensely, so protecting your eyes and skin is essential, even on cooler days. It’s also crucial to bring plenty of water, especially if you’ll be hiking or sledding. The park recommends at least 2 liters per person, per day, and while there are water stations at the Visitor Center, you won’t find any out in the dunes—so fill up before you head in.

Here’s a quick list of White Sands sledding essentials:

• Lightweight long-sleeve shirt — Elliot’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt and Jen’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt. We both have these sunshirts and love them!
• Sunglasses — The glare from the white gypsum sand is intense, so we highly recommend bringing along your best pair of sunglasses.
• Wide-brimmed hat — As part of sun safety, we love wearing these wide-brimmed hats.
• Sunscreen — This is one park where it’s easy to underestimate the sun, so don’t forget your sunscreen and to reapply every few hours.
• Refillable Water Bottles — Desert air is dry, and you’ll tire yourself out climbing up the dunes. We filled up our National Park refillable water bottles several times throughout the day at the Visitor Center. There are no water stations once you’re out in the dunes.

🌤️ Best Time to Go Sledding in White Sands

The best time to go sledding in White Sands National Park is during the cooler months—October through March—when desert temps are at their mildest. We visited in April and lucked out with a cold front, making even a midday sledding session doable.

For photos, the golden hour just before sunset is unbeatable. If you’re looking for sunset photos of you sledding in particular, and are renting your sled, keep in mind that rentals are due back by 4:00 pm. Even if you aren’t renting, be aware that the park closes 30 minutes to 1 hour after sunset, so sledding at night isn’t an option.

🤸🏼‍♀️ More Things to Do in White Sands National Park

While sledding is the main draw, there’s plenty more to experience in and around White Sands—whether you’re into scenic drives, desert hikes, or firing up the grill for an in-park picnic!

• Dunes Drive — An 8-mile scenic driving loop (part paved, part compact sand) that winds through the heart of the dunes.
• Hike the Trails — Try short walks like the Dune Life Nature Trail, Playa Trail, Interdune Boardwalk Trail, or Alkali Flat Trail for wildlife tracks and desert views.
• Explore the Visitor Center — Includes interactive exhibits, a 17-minute film, and displays explaining how White Sands became the world’s largest gypsum dune field.
• Join a Ranger Program — We did a sunset tour with a park ranger and loved it. Our ranger pointed out Kit Fox tracks we never would’ve noticed on our own. Ranger program info here.
• Picnic in the Dunes — There are several picnic areas throughout the park, such as Roadrunner, Yucca, and Primrose, all offering shaded tables and grills.
• Visit Nearby Parks — Extend your trip with stops at Carlsbad Caverns or Guadalupe Mountains, both a short drive away.

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