Moonlight Hike at White Sands National Park Photo

Moonlight Hike at White Sands National Park

Nov 16, 2024, 5pm - 7pm
White Sands National Park
19955 Highway 70 East
Alamagordo, NM 88310

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.

Nov 16