Alkali Flat Trail
The most iconic trail in White Sands National Park, following orange markers over rolling dunes to Alkali Flat, an ancient lakebed.
The Alkali Flat Trail is the longest and most classic hiking route in White Sands National Park. It is a loop of about 8 km with no fixed path. Navigation relies entirely on orange markers planted in the dunes, and you will be constantly climbing up and down them, so it takes far more effort than walking on flat ground. It usually takes 2.5 to 3 hours. At the end, Alkali Flat is the dry bed of ancient Lake Otero, with an extremely wide view. The trailhead is at the end of Dunes Drive. Be sure to carry at least 2 to 3 liters of water per person, along with sunscreen and a hat. On windy days when visibility is poor and the markers are hard to see, turn back. The park does not recommend setting out when temperatures exceed about 29°C.
Opening hours
Daytime (follows park opening hours)
Nearby sights
- Interdune Boardwalk
- White Sands National Park
- Alameda Park Zoo
- Tularosa Basin Museum of History
- McGinn's PistachioLand
- Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
- New Mexico Museum of Space History
- Sunspot Solar Observatory