The best camping near White Sands National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next White Sands National Park adventure.

Otherworldly gypsum sands create a backdrop for adventure in southern New Mexico.

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Community favorites near White Sands National Park

Top-rated campgrounds near White Sands National Park

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(18)

Mars Research Base (MRB)

8 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Boles Acres, NM

Nestled amid the breathtaking mountains near Alamogordo, New Mexico, our off-grid camping haven is a gateway to the untamed beauty of the desert. Campers can enjoy the serenity of nature while being just a stone's throw away from the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, offering fantastic hiking opportunities. Whether you choose to pitch a tent or park your RV, our property is the perfect base for outdoor adventures, complemented by wildlife, mesmerizing sunsets, and the warmth of a campfire shared with friends.

Edge of the Rez

2 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Mescalero, NM

Learn more about this land:Its dark, try to setup your camp before the sunsets. No light pollution unless there is a full moon. We are a primitive site with safe well water drawn from a sandstone bed. Walking distance to National Forest and 8 miles from Cloudcroft. Free-roaming horses, elk, mule deer, whitetail, turkey, and all critters in between. Awesome sunsets and perfect for stargazing.

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Horner Hipcamp

15 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Radium Springs, NM

New to Hipcamp, but want to share my beautiful property with others. Located on the bank of the Rio Grande River with access to the river at all times. Property is rustic now, but improvements will continue to be made as time goes on. Come help me develop this beautiful location into the best Hipcamp in New Mexico. Just 14 miles of the Chile Capital of the World, Hatch, NM, come during chile harvest to take home fresh green chile right out of the field. 21 miles from Las Cruces, where you will find plenty of events and entertainment, should you so desire. Spaceport, America, T or C, White Sands are all within a day's drive, and Fort Selden is just a few miles down the road, as is Blue Moon Bar and Grill. My dad first came to this property as a farm hand for the elderly couple who owned it. This was in the 1930's. He met my mother, who lived 6 miles down the road, in 1939. She was just 14. Every Sunday he would ride those 6 miles to have supper with her and her family and in 1940, 2 weeks after her 16th birthday, they married. They traveled around before coming back here, buying a small portion of this farm from the elderly owners and farming the rest for them, but in 1953, the man died (his name was Ernest Ward) in the small concrete house I now use for storage, that my dad had built for he and his wife when he first came to work for them. My parents built a home for his widow in Hatch (14 miles) and bought the farm from her. My family has owned it since. I was gone for 31 years, but returned to the land and place I love and plan to stay here till I die!

The best camping near White Sands National Park guide

Overview

About

Have you ever gone sand sledding? The world’s largest gypsum dune field is found in Southern New Mexico, offering a natural playground like no other. The smooth ivory hills are contrasted by the jagged peaks of the Organ Mountains and the expansive landscapes of the Chihuahuan Desert. Take a journey along Dune Drive, walk the Interdune Boardwalk or the many hiking trails, or gaze up at the stars sparkling in the night sky. Campers will not find campgrounds in White Sands National Park; however, there are public lands nearby with established campgrounds and dispersed locations for boondocking. RVers will find private RV parks in nearby Alamogordo and Las Cruces.

Notable campgrounds

Best for views: Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument allows dispersed camping, with some developed but primitive sites, offering renowned views.
Best for amenities: Nearby Oliver Lee Memorial State Park offers partial hookups, a dump station, and views of the Sacramento Mountains.
Best shaded campsites: Venture into Lincoln National Forest to find a shaded retreat from the Chihuahuan Desert suns.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park has a mix of reservable sites and first-come-first-served. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance.
Camping in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and campsites are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
All campgrounds and dispersed camping locations in the Lincoln National Forest are first-come, first-served.

When to go

If you visit White Sands National Park in summer, expect simmering heat. The sands will be hot, as daytime temperatures top 90 degrees. However, if you stick around for a sunset stroll, the air cools quickly. Though daytime temperatures are not quite as hot in spring and fall, hikers should always carry plenty of sunscreen and drinking water—and a jacket, as evenings are chilly. This park is open year round, and winter days are quite pleasant, but campers might encounter freezing temperatures at night.

Know before you go

Primitive backcountry camping is sometimes allowed on park grounds, but the NPS may be rehabilitating landscapes, prohibiting camping. Call the visitor center to learn more.
Advanced tickets are required for the monthly full moon hikes. Led by park rangers, this one-mile hike through the white sand dunes glowing under the full moon offers an unforgettable experience.
One interesting warning from the NPS: This park is near the White Sands Missile Range, and undetonated devices may be found on park lands due to nearby missile tests.