Hiking the Dune Life Nature Trail in White Sands National Park
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
The Dune Life Nature Trail is the best day hike in White Sands National Park to explore the best of the dune fields, while avoiding trails that are longer, like the Backcountry Camping Loop or the Alkali Flat Trail.
I say this because seeing the best that White Sands has to offer doesn’t require an extensive amount of hiking. In fact, many of the best and most beautiful locations can be found just minutes away from where you park.
For these reasons, I think the Dune Life Nature Trail is a great choice to see some of the best of White Sands National Park on this relatively short and easy, kid-friendly adventure!
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Dune Life Nature Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Dune Life Nature Trailhead is the second trailhead off of Dunes Drive, located just past the Playa Trail.
That being said, the Dune Life Nature Trailhead is generally one of the more popular day hikes in White Sands National Park, meaning that parking may be limited if you arrive during the peak morning and afternoon hours of the day.
Google Maps Directions: Dune Life Nature Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - White Sands
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in White Sands National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Sun Shirt w/ Hood - A quality sun shirt can be your best friend on a trail with minimal shade, which can be found in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Dune Life Nature Trail
The Dune Life Nature Trail begins on a flat trail until it reaches the base of the dune field, about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away.
This hill is the start of the dune field, and it is generally regarded as the most 'challenging' hill on the entire Dune Life Trail.
Dune Life Nature Loop Trail
Once in the dune field, the Dune Life Nature Trail splits into a 0.9-mile (1.4 km) loop.
With that in mind, I recommend going to the left first because, in my opinion, the trail is easier to follow. However, if you’re most interested in sledding in the dune field, the best sledding hill can be found a short distance to the right, which can be seen toward the end of this article.
In any case, I chose to go left in the clockwise direction.
Once on the loop, the Dune Life Nature Trail simply follows a series of trail markers placed among the rolling hills of the sand dunes.
In my experience, they were a bit easier to follow than other trails within the park, but this can quickly change if you happen to be visiting White Sands on a windy day!
This is the far side of the Dune Life Nature Loop, and it’s where the trail begins to work its way back toward the beginning.
Sun Shirts
If this is your first time in the area, you’re likely unprepared for how strong the sun can be.
For this reason, I recommend picking up a quality, hooded sun shirt if you plan to do any hiking. Protection from the sun cannot be overstated, and in my experience, sunscreen alone has never been enough over a multi-day visit, especially if you’re visiting during the summer season!
I can’t imagine that this tree will be standing forever, but it felt like quite an anomaly in an otherwise barren and shrubby landscape.
Here, the Dune Life Nature Trail makes a sharp right turn, with the sledding hill and beginning of the loop located just a short walk away.
On longer trails, like the Alkali Flat Trail, fallen trail markers like this can make navigating the dune field much more challenging.
However, since the Dune Life Nature Trail is so short, there is much less variability regarding where hikers walk from point to point, making the trail much easier to follow!
In the photo below, you can see the best sledding hill on the Dune Life Nature Trail, where individuals can be seen enjoying one of the best things to do in White Sands National Park!
Dune Life Nature Loop Junction
This is where the 0.9-mile (1.4 km) loop returns back to the beginning, with the initial hill that led into the dune field located shortly ahead.
Overall, the Dune Life Nature Trail is a White Sands National Park favorite for how quick and easy the adventure can be!
The loop is also a great kid-friendly option and a great sunset hike if you’re looking for something with a short walk back in the dark.
That being said, I highly recommend coming to White Sands with a good headlamp if you plan to watch the sunset in the dune field, which largely has to do with staying safe on these vaguely-marked trails that can be found in all areas across the park.
All said, the headlamp options below are the ones that I use and trust for my own adventures, and I would never recommend anything that I don’t personally use!
More White Sands Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within White Sands National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
When it comes to staying safe in White Sands National Park, the safety concerns are generally centered around a few main things.
First and most obvious, the summer heat/ dehydration are nothing to take lightly in southern New Mexico. Like Death Valley, White Sands National Park is often seen as an off-season park compared to others, like Yellowstone or Grand Teton, where the best time to visit is during the summer.
That being said, White Sands National Park is a place of extremes, with summer temperatures that can soar well above 100ºF (38ºC) and winter temperatures that drop as low as 10ºF (-12ºC).
However, what this doesn’t mention is how much greater and faster the risk of sunburn can be in this extreme environment. What I mean is that the white gypsum sand can act like a glacier, where the risk of serious sunburn is intensified because of the solar reflection off the white surface.
Therefore, arriving prepared with plenty of sunscreen, water, and good sunglasses is not only recommended but essential for a safe visit. Additionally, be aware that the visitor center is the only place in White Sands National Park to get water!
The next thing that poses the greatest risk in White Sands is simply getting lost. The vast majority of trails within the park are in the dune field, and being the case, they are only marked by spaced-out trail markers that stick out of the sand. However, these markers can and do fall over and get buried by the sand, meaning that trails can be difficult to follow—especially when it’s windy and visibility is limited.
Finally, there are a few rare but venomous reptiles to be aware of, including the Prairie and Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, and the mildly venomous Sand Scorpion, which is said to feel similar to a bee sting.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: White Sands National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
To read the full privacy policy, click here.
About This Blog
Noah Lang Photography, also known as @noahawaii, is 100% reader-supported!
I do not accept guest articles or sponsored content of any kind on my blog, which is why, if you enjoy the outdoor and travel content I create, please consider buying me a coffee!
I appreciate your support, which helps me continue to keep this blog alive!
