White Sands National Park Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour

Explore White Sands National Park’s stunning dunes and rich history with a self-guided tour. Hike, drive, and discover at your own pace.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • White Sands Visitor Center - Welcome to White Sands National Park! Home to one of the most unique and stunning landscapes found in the United States, this one-of-a-kind park is the crown jewel of the Land of Enchantment.

NOTE: This 14-miles-long tour covers the essentials of White Sand in 2-3 hours.

  • Dune Life Nature Trailhead - If you’re looking for a short and sweet hike, this one’s for you. It’s only a mile long and suitable for the whole family! You can even bring dogs, as long as they’re leashed.

  • Interdune Boardwalk - The Interdune Boardwalk is coming up soon! If you’d like to get up-close and personal with the massive white dunes without getting sand in your toes, take a relaxed stroll on this elevated boardwalk. It’s ADA-accessible and a quick, half-mile round trip!

  • Alkali Flat Trail - We’re approaching the Alkali Flat Trail now, where our journey continues on foot. Make sure you’ve got plenty of water and sunscreen, since this hike takes about three hours.

  • Backcountry Camping Trailhead - The Backcountry Camping Loop Trail is moderately challenging, a 2-mile round trip

What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

NOTE: This walking/driving tour includes a 5-mile hike.

Experience rolling white dunes, mountain backdrops, and a hiking trail like no other with this self-guided driving and walking tour of White Sands National Park. Discover the secrets of this unique ecosystem and delve into its history as you hike the famous Alkali Flat trail through the dazzling dunes. Hear about prehistoric beasts, Apache warriors, and J. Robert Oppenheimer while you take in the park’s majestic scenery. This tour includes both a driving and a walking portion.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: • The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
White Sands Visitor Center
U.S. 70
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.0
(1 Rating)
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1 star
Christopher_lonewolf
Apr 22, 2024
Had a great time ! - The white sand park was lovely with beautiful white Sands. It was quite hot and the hike was quite strenuous, but the stories and the narrators energetic storytelling kept the hike entertaining. The safety information helped me a lot to prepare for this tour physically. Thanks a lot. Would recommend this self guided tour to everyone !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Saexplorers
Mar 14, 2024
Neat idea but not well described on the advertising. - Easy to download and use. But didn’t realize until after we downloaded there was a 5 mile hike. Since we didn’t do the hike, the second half of our tour didn’t work for us. The parts that worked were pretty neat. When you got to a spot, the narrator comes on and tells you about the spot, history, plants etc. It could be really near but the description could be more comprehensive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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