Can You Camp at White Sands National Monument?

White Sands National Monument is a breathtaking and unique National Park located in the Tularosa Basin of New Mexico. It is the largest gypsum dune field in the world and offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities, from camping to hiking to sand-sledding. But can you camp at White Sands?

The answer is yes! White Sands National Monument has two campgrounds available for visitors to use. Both are located on the side of Dunes Drive, which runs through the monument, and are near picnic areas and restroom facilities.

The first is known as Backcountry Camping, which offers more primitive camping sites with no hookups or services provided. The second is Sand Pit Campground, which features more developed sites with electrical hookups, drinking water, and nearby restrooms. Both campgrounds have a nightly fee associated with them.

In addition to camping at either of these two designated areas, visitors can also take part in backcountry camping throughout the monument as long as they obtain a free backcountry permit from the Visitor Center first. This type of camping allows visitors to explore more remote areas but does not provide any amenities or services such as water or restrooms.

No matter where you choose to camp at White Sands National Monument, there are some important guidelines that must be followed for safety reasons. All vehicles must remain on designated roads at all times, and no fires are allowed anywhere within the monument boundaries.

Conclusion:

So while you can camp at White Sands National Monument there are restrictions in place that must be followed for safety reasons. Be sure to check with the Visitor Center if you plan on backcountry camping and obtain your permit before heading out into the wilderness.

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Alex Wright