Las Cruces KOA Journey Events

Local Area Events

Moonlight Hike at White Sands National Park Photo

Moonlight Hike at White Sands National Park

Have you ever wanted to hike the dunes under the moonlight? Come enjoy the peace and serenity of this elusive environment and hear unique stories of the park. These hikes are offered once a month, March through November, on a night surrounding the full moon.

Entrance fee to park applies in addition to program fees. Tickets are required.

Tickets are available 2 months before the day of a tour (i.e., a tour of August 18, tickets will be on sale June 18). Tickets are required for this program and must be purchased through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Tour fees apply and will be charged by recreation.gov. Park entrance fees also apply and will be charged at the park. The full moon hike capacity is limited. There is no wait list for sold-out tours; however, if tickets are canceled, they'll immediately be available on Recreation.gov. Cancellations must be made by calling or visiting Recreation.gov at least 24 hours in advance of program. Refunds will not be granted within 24 hours of the beginning of the program. Refunds cannot be processed by park staff.

To purchase tickets click on the link: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=EC157065-B4EC-78D8-D0114130D74BEC82

Program is 1.5 - 2 hours long.

The Moonlight Hike follows the Dune Life Nature Trail and is rated as moderate. It requires hikers to climb steep dunes and walk on soft sand. The trail starts down on the desert plain and is level for the first 300 yards before going up a steep slope onto the sand dunes. The trail is one mile (1.61 km) long. You must be able to hike the entire trail and the group must stay together for safety concerns. No one is permitted to leave the program early to return to the parking area by themselves.

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park Photo

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park

Want an understanding of how the white sands were formed? Take a ranger guided tour to Lake Lucero and learn all about the sand formations, and even the special plants and animals that live in and around the dunes. This three hour ranger guided tour takes you to the playa (dry lakebed) of Lake Lucero. Reservations are required. A special use fee is charged for this tour: $8 per person ages 16 and older, $4 for children 15 and under. Park entrance fees are not charged for the Lake Lucero program. Park entrance fees will only apply if you choose to enter the park along Dunes Drive. Federal recreation passes do not apply for this special tour.

Tickets are available two months before the tour and tour fees will be charged by recreation.gov.

Note: this is a moderate 1.5 mile round trip hike through an arroyo and is not a maintained trail. The hike to the shore is 3/4 of a mile over rough terrain and loose soil. This hike is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for those that are mobility impaired. Friendly and LEASHED pets are welcome. 

The tour will begin at the Small Missile Range Gate intersection with US Highway 70, 25 miles west of White Sands National Park headquarters, between mile posts 174 and 175. The trip will return to the Small Missile Range Gate three hours after the start time. You'll caravan from the gate to the trailhead.

Cameras are welcome on the tour but may NOT be used until arrival at the trailhead and are inside the gate on monument land.

You'll caravan in your own car from the gate to the trailhead (17.5 miles one way or 35 miles roundtrip). Have a full tank of gas before leaving home and a spare tire in case of a flat.

No sandals are open toed shoes. Closed toe shoes such as hiking boots or stout walking shoes are required. The tour is three hours long, two of which will be outside. Bring snacks, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for everyone in your group. Dress according to weather needs.

Be sure you have at least a gallon of water per person, or you'll not be allowed to attend the tour. Water is essential!! Rangers will NOT have extra water to give to visitors on the tour.

No concealed weapons are allowed on tour per missile range rules.

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park Photo

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park

Want an understanding of how the white sands were formed? Take a ranger guided tour to Lake Lucero and learn all about the sand formations, and even the special plants and animals that live in and around the dunes. This three hour ranger guided tour takes you to the playa (dry lakebed) of Lake Lucero. Reservations are required. A special use fee is charged for this tour: $8 per person ages 16 and older, $4 for children 15 and under. Park entrance fees are not charged for the Lake Lucero program. Park entrance fees will only apply if you choose to enter the park along Dunes Drive. Federal recreation passes do not apply for this special tour.

Tickets are available two months before the tour and tour fees will be charged by recreation.gov.

Note: this is a moderate 1.5 mile round trip hike through an arroyo and is not a maintained trail. The hike to the shore is 3/4 of a mile over rough terrain and loose soil. This hike is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for those that are mobility impaired. Friendly and LEASHED pets are welcome. 

The tour will begin at the Small Missile Range Gate intersection with US Highway 70, 25 miles west of White Sands National Park headquarters, between mile posts 174 and 175. The trip will return to the Small Missile Range Gate three hours after the start time. You'll caravan from the gate to the trailhead.

Cameras are welcome on the tour but may NOT be used until arrival at the trailhead and are inside the gate on monument land.

You'll caravan in your own car from the gate to the trailhead (17.5 miles one way or 35 miles roundtrip). Have a full tank of gas before leaving home and a spare tire in case of a flat.

No sandals are open toed shoes. Closed toe shoes such as hiking boots or stout walking shoes are required. The tour is three hours long, two of which will be outside. Bring snacks, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for everyone in your group. Dress according to weather needs.

Be sure you have at least a gallon of water per person, or you'll not be allowed to attend the tour. Water is essential!! Rangers will NOT have extra water to give to visitors on the tour.

No concealed weapons are allowed on tour per missile range rules.

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park Photo

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park

Want an understanding of how the white sands were formed? Take a ranger guided tour to Lake Lucero and learn all about the sand formations, and even the special plants and animals that live in and around the dunes. This three hour ranger guided tour takes you to the playa (dry lakebed) of Lake Lucero. Reservations are required. A special use fee is charged for this tour: $8 per person ages 16 and older, $4 for children 15 and under. Park entrance fees are not charged for the Lake Lucero program. Park entrance fees will only apply if you choose to enter the park along Dunes Drive. Federal recreation passes do not apply for this special tour.

Tickets are available two months before the tour and tour fees will be charged by recreation.gov.

Note: this is a moderate 1.5 mile round trip hike through an arroyo and is not a maintained trail. The hike to the shore is 3/4 of a mile over rough terrain and loose soil. This hike is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for those that are mobility impaired. Friendly and LEASHED pets are welcome. 

The tour will begin at the Small Missile Range Gate intersection with US Highway 70, 25 miles west of White Sands National Park headquarters, between mile posts 174 and 175. The trip will return to the Small Missile Range Gate three hours after the start time. You'll caravan from the gate to the trailhead.

Cameras are welcome on the tour but may NOT be used until arrival at the trailhead and are inside the gate on monument land.

You'll caravan in your own car from the gate to the trailhead (17.5 miles one way or 35 miles roundtrip). Have a full tank of gas before leaving home and a spare tire in case of a flat.

No sandals are open toed shoes. Closed toe shoes such as hiking boots or stout walking shoes are required. The tour is three hours long, two of which will be outside. Bring snacks, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for everyone in your group. Dress according to weather needs.

Be sure you have at least a gallon of water per person, or you'll not be allowed to attend the tour. Water is essential!! Rangers will NOT have extra water to give to visitors on the tour.

No concealed weapons are allowed on tour per missile range rules.

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park Photo

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park

Want an understanding of how the white sands were formed? Take a ranger guided tour to Lake Lucero and learn all about the sand formations, and even the special plants and animals that live in and around the dunes. This three hour ranger guided tour takes you to the playa (dry lakebed) of Lake Lucero. Reservations are required. A special use fee is charged for this tour: $8 per person ages 16 and older, $4 for children 15 and under. Park entrance fees are not charged for the Lake Lucero program. Park entrance fees will only apply if you choose to enter the park along Dunes Drive. Federal recreation passes do not apply for this special tour.

Tickets are available two months before the tour and tour fees will be charged by recreation.gov.

Note: this is a moderate 1.5 mile round trip hike through an arroyo and is not a maintained trail. The hike to the shore is 3/4 of a mile over rough terrain and loose soil. This hike is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for those that are mobility impaired. Friendly and LEASHED pets are welcome. 

The tour will begin at the Small Missile Range Gate intersection with US Highway 70, 25 miles west of White Sands National Park headquarters, between mile posts 174 and 175. The trip will return to the Small Missile Range Gate three hours after the start time. You'll caravan from the gate to the trailhead.

Cameras are welcome on the tour but may NOT be used until arrival at the trailhead and are inside the gate on monument land.

You'll caravan in your own car from the gate to the trailhead (17.5 miles one way or 35 miles roundtrip). Have a full tank of gas before leaving home and a spare tire in case of a flat.

No sandals are open toed shoes. Closed toe shoes such as hiking boots or stout walking shoes are required. The tour is three hours long, two of which will be outside. Bring snacks, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for everyone in your group. Dress according to weather needs.

Be sure you have at least a gallon of water per person, or you'll not be allowed to attend the tour. Water is essential!! Rangers will NOT have extra water to give to visitors on the tour.

No concealed weapons are allowed on tour per missile range rules.

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park Photo

Lake Lucero Tours at White Sands National Park

Want an understanding of how the white sands were formed? Take a ranger guided tour to Lake Lucero and learn all about the sand formations, and even the special plants and animals that live in and around the dunes. This three hour ranger guided tour takes you to the playa (dry lakebed) of Lake Lucero. Reservations are required. A special use fee is charged for this tour: $8 per person ages 16 and older, $4 for children 15 and under. Park entrance fees are not charged for the Lake Lucero program. Park entrance fees will only apply if you choose to enter the park along Dunes Drive. Federal recreation passes do not apply for this special tour.

Tickets are available two months before the tour and tour fees will be charged by recreation.gov.

Note: this is a moderate 1.5 mile round trip hike through an arroyo and is not a maintained trail. The hike to the shore is 3/4 of a mile over rough terrain and loose soil. This hike is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for those that are mobility impaired. Friendly and LEASHED pets are welcome. 

The tour will begin at the Small Missile Range Gate intersection with US Highway 70, 25 miles west of White Sands National Park headquarters, between mile posts 174 and 175. The trip will return to the Small Missile Range Gate three hours after the start time. You'll caravan from the gate to the trailhead.

Cameras are welcome on the tour but may NOT be used until arrival at the trailhead and are inside the gate on monument land.

You'll caravan in your own car from the gate to the trailhead (17.5 miles one way or 35 miles roundtrip). Have a full tank of gas before leaving home and a spare tire in case of a flat.

No sandals are open toed shoes. Closed toe shoes such as hiking boots or stout walking shoes are required. The tour is three hours long, two of which will be outside. Bring snacks, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for everyone in your group. Dress according to weather needs.

Be sure you have at least a gallon of water per person, or you'll not be allowed to attend the tour. Water is essential!! Rangers will NOT have extra water to give to visitors on the tour.

No concealed weapons are allowed on tour per missile range rules.