Discover the Enchantment of White Sands National Park

Getting There

• Car

  From Carson National Forest, the most common route to White Sands National Park is as follows: Start by heading south on NM-522 S from Taos, passing through the towns of Questa and Red River. Continue on NM-522 S until you reach US-64 E, then take US-64 E toward Taos. After approximately 40 miles, merge onto US-285 S toward Santa Fe. After about 80 miles, merge onto US-70 E toward Las Cruces. Follow US-70 E for about 70 miles until you reach the entrance to White Sands National Park. The total drive is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions. Note that there is an entrance fee of $25 per vehicle, valid for up to 7 days.

• Public Transportation

  Public transportation options are limited in this remote area, but you can take a Greyhound bus from Taos to Las Cruces. The bus ride takes around 5 hours. Once in Las Cruces, you would need to take a taxi or rideshare service (such as Uber or Lyft) to reach White Sands National Park, which is about 15 miles away. Expect taxi fares to be around $30-$40. Alternatively, some local tour companies offer shuttle services to the park, which you can book in advance.