Cabins near White Sands National Park provide shelter from the region's dramatic temperature fluctuations, where daytime highs can reach 100°F in summer and drop below freezing in winter. Located in the Tularosa Basin at around 4,000 feet elevation, the area receives minimal rainfall but experiences strong winds in spring months, particularly March. Visitors seeking overnight accommodations will find various cabin options within driving distance of the park's iconic gypsum dunes.
What to do
Visit White Sands National Park: Only 20 minutes from Alamogordo / White Sands KOA, this unique landscape features 275 square miles of gypsum dunes. According to Christian M., "Local to everything in Alamogordo. Propane available, laundry, cabins, hot as hell showers, water pressure is really high at around 155 psi. So definitely bring a regulator."
Explore Sacramento Mountains: The elevation change from desert to forest offers cooler temperatures in summer. At The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park, visitors enjoy mountain activities at 6,500 feet. Chip shares, "This place is a hidden treasure. Located at about 6500 feet elevation on the eastern slope of the Sacramento Mountains this campground is a perfect launching pad for daytrips to many local attractions."
Discover Petroglyphs: Three Rivers Petroglyph Site contains over 21,000 ancient rock carvings. Dennis P. from Boot Hill RV Resort notes, "We visited White Sands NP and Three Rivers Petroglyph Area from this spot, and each was about equal distance."
Stargaze after dark: The clear desert skies offer exceptional night viewing opportunities. Brian B. at The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park mentions, "The star gazing is fantastic."
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Many cabin lodgings maintain high-standard restrooms. At Las Cruces KOA, Katey B. reports, "The place was spotless. The showers were fabulous."
Outdoor cooking amenities: Some locations provide cooking facilities beyond standard campfire rings. Taylor says of Las Cruces KOA, "The open air kitchen it offered was top notch and a nice break from cooking on our propane camping stove."
Wildlife viewing: Opportunities to see local fauna enhance the camping experience. At The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park, Jessica U. recalls, "We took our 8 year old boy and he had such a great time and spotted some deer close to camp."
Varied cabin types: Options range from basic to deluxe accommodations. At Lincoln National Forest Slide Group Campground, Ron G. shares, "It features vault toilets if you need them, a tent area, a very large covered pavilion for those rainy days, large firepit area, cooking grills & a large parking lot for RVs & kids to play."
What you should know
Railway noise: Some locations experience train disruptions throughout the night. Kristen from Alamogordo / White Sands KOA warns, "However there is a train close by that blew the horn very loud all throughout the night. Woke me up at 1am, 3am, and 5:30 am."
Spring wind conditions: March brings particularly gusty weather. Nicholas from Alamogordo / White Sands KOA cautions, "BEWARE: March is 'Windy season'. We got caught on the first day of it I think! Big gusty winds at night for us. The drive there can get dangerous and could possibly expect a bumpy night in a camper there!"
Cell service limitations: Mountain areas may have poor connectivity. Chip notes about The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park, "The WiFi is good but cell signal is hard to come by."
Pet accommodations: Most cabins welcome pets, but terrain varies. Sarina from Alamogordo / White Sands KOA mentions, "This campground is clean and well maintained. The downside is there is no grass. We travel with our dogs, and the gravel is large, and the dogs struggled to find potty spots."
Tips for camping with families
Heated cabin options: Winter visitors should choose accommodations with heating systems. Naythin H. from Cloud Climbing Railroad Cabin and RV Park shares, "I slept in the wall tent and omg it was so warm we went when it got down to 32 degrees so it was nice for the heater and heated blankets."
On-site playgrounds: Some facilities offer play areas for children. Elena C. from Alamogordo / White Sands KOA notes, "After half a week of boondocking we were in need of showers and laundry. This was our first time at a KOA. It was clean, quiet, and extremely convenient to White Sands National Park. The staff were super helpful and friendly. Our kids enjoyed the playground."
Water features: Creeks and streams provide natural entertainment. Jessica U. describes The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park: "Rio Penasco is a nice small river that runs thru camp that was very relaxing to hear in the background and has a walking trail next to it."
Supplied amenities: Some cabin rentals include unexpected extras. Stephanie P. explains about The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park, "When you rent these, you basically can come with clothes and food. They think of everything else from utensils, grills, stoves, linens, seasonings ... even a deck of cards!"
Tips from RVers
Water pressure concerns: Bring necessary equipment for high-pressure systems. Christian M. warns about Alamogordo / White Sands KOA, "Water pressure is really high at around 155 psi. So definitely bring a regulator."
Dump station access: Confirm availability before arrival. Boot Hill RV Resort offers this amenity according to visitor reviews and site features.
Spacing between sites: Site dimensions vary between campgrounds. Nick H. from Alamogordo / White Sands KOA shares, "We paid extra for a site with swing, paver patio, table and chairs. Site was very large, private, and well worth the extra $."
Seasonal availability: Some cabin rental facilities operate year-round while others close seasonally. Lincoln National Forest Slide Group Campground operates from May to October, while Las Cruces KOA and The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park remain open throughout the year.
