Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park
Craig G.
Reviewed Apr. 19, 2019

There is literally nothing like this experience!

This is an awe inspiring and unique camping experience. It is not a place to relax all day, make a fire, and hang out camping experience. White Sands IS a place to experience at night, preferably during a full moon.

There are 10 spots and the office opens at 9:00, be EARLY (I always get there an hour before).

Once you get your spot do some local stuff, Alamogordo is 20 minutes to the east, not great but you can also head up to Cloudcroft which is nice and has great hiking. Or you can go to Los Cruces which is nicer and bigger and also has some hiking in the Organ MNTs.

Head back to camp 2 hours before sundown. You’ll have to hike about a mile in sand to your campsite. Set up and prepare to enjoy the night!

I’m usually set up an hour before sunset and then stay up till midnight or so. It’s amazing and no words or pictures can really do it justice (at night especially). In the morning it gets hot pretty quick so be prepared to leave early.

Enjoy, I’ve hit this every 6 months, three times in a row and it never gets old!

  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park by Craig G., April 19, 2019