Looking for the perfect spot to stay when visiting White Sands? There’s nowhere to sleep inside the park, so I’ve scoured the area to help you find the best spots to rest up during your trip. From Alamogordo, where I stayed, to Cloudcroft, Las Cruces, El Paso and Silver City, this guide covers where to stay near White Sands National Park: the best areas, and the best hotels in each.
Get ready to plan your dream trip to the beautiful plains of White Sands National Park. The region is famed for its gypsum (not silica) white dunes, which make up the largest gypsum dune field in the world, spread across 275 square miles of the Tularosa Basin. As such, it’s a pretty unique place and a must-visit during any trip to New Mexico.
I visited in February, when the park was quiet, although I didn’t have the best weather: it was raining for part of the day. I stayed at Home2 Suites by Hilton in Alamogordo, the closest town to the dunes, and it’s still my top pick. Rooms are spacious and cosy, and you’re just a short drive from the park.
But where do you stay? You won’t find a hotel in the park, and right now there’s no way to spend the night inside it at all: backcountry camping, the only overnight option, is closed with no date set for reopening. Luckily, there are plenty of areas nearby harbouring cool spots to bed down. This guide covers each of them, starting with the closest, with what there is to see and do in each and the best hotels near White Sands to book, plus the campgrounds closest to the dunes.
Read on to discover my favourite places to stay near White Sands…
The best places to stay near White Sands at a glance
The closest hotels near White Sands National Park are in Alamogordo, about 20 to 25 minutes’ drive from the visitor centre. These are my top picks across the area.
| Category | Hotel | Drive to the park |
|---|---|---|
| Where I stayed (best overall) | Home2 Suites by Hilton Alamogordo White Sands | About 25 minutes |
| Best budget hotel | The Classic Desert Aire Hotel | About 20 minutes |
| Best historic stay | The Lodge at Cloudcroft | About 50 minutes |
| Best for a cabin in the woods | The Cabins at Cloudcroft | About 50 minutes |
| Best in Las Cruces | Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces | About 1 hour |
| Best luxury hotel | Hotel Paso del Norte | About 1.5 hours |
The best areas to stay near White Sands National Park
From cosy hotels to retro stays, I’ve got you covered. Let’s explore. Alamogordo is the closest town to the park and the obvious base for most trips. The other towns each suit a different kind of trip: Cloudcroft for cool mountain air, Las Cruces and El Paso for city comforts (and, in El Paso’s case, the nearest big airport), and Silver City if the dunes are one stop on a longer road trip west. Drive times below are to the park’s visitor centre on US 70, about 15 miles west of Alamogordo, where Dunes Drive begins.
Alamogordo: the closest town to the dunes
Alamogordo should be on your radar if you’re looking for a place to stay near the park. This small city at the foot of the Sacramento Mountains is about 15 miles east of the visitor centre, 20 to 25 minutes’ drive, and has plenty of accommodation options for most budgets, from motels to modern chain hotels.
Plus, with its proximity to the park and other local attractions, you’ll be in the perfect spot to explore everything that this stunning area has to offer. It’s also home to restaurants like CJ’s Si Señor Restaurant and shops, making it a convenient base.
Alamogordo highlights
New Mexico Museum of Space History
The New Mexico Museum of Space History explores, you guessed it, the history of space exploration. Whether you’re a space nerd or not, there’s something for everyone here, with exhibits spanning rocket technology to the International Space Station, the International Space Hall of Fame, the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, and the John P. Stapp Air and Space Park outside. It’s open every day except Tuesday (the fifth floor is closed for renovation).
Alameda Park Zoo
Founded in 1898, Alameda Park Zoo claims to be the oldest zoo in the Southwest. It’s home to about 265 animals from 90 species on 13 acres in the middle of town and is a must-visit if you’re travelling with kids. There’s no shortage of interesting animals here.
Pistachio Land
Ok, bear with me here. Whether you’re a fan of pistachios (or not), make sure to stop by McGinn’s PistachioLand at the northern end of town on US 54/70. It’s one of the quirkiest spots in Alamogordo, home to the 30-foot World’s Largest Pistachio. You can go on farm tours, try a pistachio wine tasting and buy all sorts of delicious pistachio treats, from chile-dusted nuts to brittles.
Suggested hotels in Alamogordo
Home2 Suites by Hilton Alamogordo White Sands
This is where I stayed, and it’s my top pick near the park. Home2 Suites by Hilton Alamogordo is a brilliant three-star hotel that opened in 2021 and boasts super-spacious rooms. It’s a great budget to mid-range option offering all the comforts of home: every suite has a kitchen with a fridge, microwave and dishwasher, and there’s a comfortable bed and a separate living area.
Breakfast (a hot one) is free, there’s an outdoor pool, and the laundry and gym share a room, which is handy if you’re midway through a road trip and running out of clean clothes. It’s pet-friendly too, taking up to two dogs or cats for a fee. It’s on the west side of US 54/70, about 18 miles and 25 minutes from the dunes.
The Classic Desert Aire Hotel
The Classic Desert Aire Hotel is a budget-friendly hotel on South White Sands Boulevard that offers simple rooms with a free cooked-to-order breakfast every morning. It’s near several restaurants and shops and is about a 20-minute drive from the park. There’s an outdoor pool too, but it’s only open in summer, so don’t count on a swim on a winter trip.
Hampton Inn Alamogordo
The Hampton Inn Alamogordo, on Hamilton Road, is a dependable mid-range choice and one of the closest hotels to the park, about 15 miles and 20 minutes away. Rooms are pristine, with free wi-fi, air conditioning and flat-screen TVs, breakfast is included, and the pool is indoors, which makes it a better bet than most for a dip after a cold day on the dunes.
Cloudcroft: cool mountain air above the desert
Looking for a lowkey stay near White Sands? Cloudcroft is a small mountain village about 40 miles (64 km) from the park’s visitor centre, around 50 minutes’ drive up the winding US 82 from Alamogordo.
At about 8,600 feet in the Lincoln National Forest, you’ll find a peaceful retreat from the desert heat, with cool temperatures and lush forests of pine and aspen. It’s a summer escape for the whole region and gets snow in winter, when Ski Cloudcroft opens.
Cloudcroft highlights
Mexican Canyon Trestle
Trains no longer run up to Cloudcroft, but you can still follow the old line. The Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway brought timber and, for nearly 50 years, tourists up from the desert until it was abandoned in about 1947. Its 323-foot Mexican Canyon Trestle, built in 1899, still stands just outside the village. See it from the roadside overlook on US 82, or walk the Cloud-Climbing Trestle Trail, about 1.3 miles each way, to a viewing platform at its base (you can’t walk on the trestle itself).
Sacramento Mountains Museum and Pioneer Village
Get a glimpse of the region’s rich history by visiting the Sacramento Mountains Museum and Pioneer Village, which features exhibits and artefacts from the area’s past, from models of the old railway to a log cabin, chapel and general store. It’s open on Fridays and Saturdays in winter and Wednesday to Saturday in summer, and entry is $5.
Osha Trail
This short loop of about 2 miles is perfect for nature lovers wanting to immerse themselves in the beauty of the forest. It winds through ponderosa pine and aspen, with benches and views west and over the village, and deer and elk are often about in the early morning and evening.
Suggested hotels in Cloudcroft
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
For the most characterful stay in the area, head up to The Lodge at Cloudcroft, built in 1899 by the railway that brought holidaymakers up from the desert. Sitting at around 9,000 feet, the lodge has dark-wood furnishings and antiques in its historic rooms, a restaurant and bar, an outdoor pool and its own nine-hole golf course. It even has a resident ghost: Rebecca, a young chambermaid who, staff say, flickers the lights and opens and closes doors. Ask for a room in the main lodge, which has far more character than the separate Pavilion building.
The Cabins at Cloudcroft
With uber rustic vibes, you’re sure to have a fantastic time in the woods at The Cabins at Cloudcroft. There are 15 cabins in the forest on Coyote Avenue, from studios to four bedrooms, each with a kitchen (no meals are served), and deer often wander through the grounds. Its location, close to the village and Ski Cloudcroft, also makes it ideal for a comfortable stay. There’s a two-night minimum, and the cabins get booked up well in advance.
Cozy Cloudcroft Townhome
For more modern comforts, Cozy Cloudcroft Townhome is an excellent choice. It’s a holiday rental about a mile from Burro Avenue, the village’s main street, and its contemporary style gives it that home away from home feeling you’ll enjoy.
Las Cruces: a bigger city by the Organ Mountains
Las Cruces is New Mexico’s second city, about 52 miles (84 km) from the park’s visitor centre, an hour’s drive over San Augustin Pass. This lesser-known city offers locals and tourists a variety of accommodation options and enriching sites for art and history lovers. These include the Las Cruces Museum of Art and Old Mesilla, the historic plaza town on its southwestern edge.
Las Cruces highlights
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
Taking a trip to the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, designated in 2014, is a must. The jagged spires of the Organ Mountains rise right above the city, and this stunning landscape is a haven for anyone interested in hiking, rock climbing or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Las Cruces Museum of Art
The Las Cruces Museum of Art, on North Main Street downtown, showcases a wide variety of art, including works by local artists and rotating exhibits of national and international artists. Entry is free.
Dripping Springs Natural Area
This scenic area, 10 miles east of the city on the west side of the Organ Mountains, has more than four miles of easy hiking trails. Along the way, you’ll see stunning views of the surrounding mountains and desert landscapes, including a variety of flora and fauna. Entry is $5 per vehicle.
Suggested hotels in Las Cruces
Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces
The best hotel in Las Cruces is Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, a Spanish colonial-style hotel on Telshor Boulevard, on the east side of the city, which puts it on the right side of town for the drive to the park. The lobby is built around a fountain under a domed window, and there’s a heated pool and hot tub, a Mexican restaurant and a lounge with a fire pit on the patio.
Ramada by Wyndham Las Cruces Hotel and Conference Center
Ramada by Wyndham Las Cruces is a modern hotel on University Avenue just off Interstate 10, close to New Mexico State University, with an indoor pool and easy access to nearby attractions like the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum at the eastern end of the same avenue.
Days Inn by Wyndham Las Cruces
Another Wyndham property, Days Inn is a budget-friendly hotel on Avenida de Mesilla, a short drive from Old Mesilla, with cosy and comfortable rooms, a free breakfast to go, flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges for late-night snacking (we all do it). The outdoor pool is seasonal.
El Paso, Texas: city life and the nearest big airport
Fancy staying in Texas? The city of El Paso is about 95 miles (153 km) from the park’s visitor centre, around an hour and a half’s drive, and its international airport is the closest major airport to the park.
It’s a great option if you want to stay in the Lone Star State and offers quite a range of accommodation options, as well as cultural attractions like the El Paso Museum of Art. Oh, and for shopping and dining enthusiasts, downtown’s restaurants and bars will answer your needs.
El Paso highlights
El Paso Museum of Art
This is a must-see attraction for art lovers, and admission is always free. It has an impressive collection of more than 7,000 works, from the Byzantine era to the present, with American, Mexican and European art, including pieces by Botticelli, Canaletto and Van Dyck, and works by the El Paso artist Tom Lea. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday.
The historic Plaza Theatre
The Plaza Theatre is a beautiful historic venue that has been entertaining visitors since 1930. The theatre is tucked away in downtown El Paso and has a stunning interior that features ornate Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture.
Franklin Mountains State Park
If one national park just isn’t enough, head to Franklin Mountains State Park to get some fresh air. Covering more than 24,000 acres, it’s one of the largest urban parks in the US, lying entirely within the city limits, and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing.
Suggested hotels in El Paso
Hotel Paso del Norte, Autograph Collection
If you’re after a luxury hotel within reach of the dunes, this is it. Hotel Paso del Norte opened in 1912, designed by the architect Henry Trost, and reopened in 2020 after a top-to-bottom restoration. The showpiece is the lobby’s Tiffany-style stained-glass dome, more than 45 feet across, with the Dome Bar beneath it. Add a saltwater pool on the 10th-floor roof, with views over the city and the mountains, and several restaurants, including a steakhouse.
Hotel Indigo El Paso Downtown
Hotel Indigo is a boutique hotel that boasts comfortable and stylish rooms, a fitness centre and an on-site Mexican restaurant, Mamacitas, right in the heart of downtown El Paso. Here, you can enjoy city views from the rooftop pool and the rooftop bar, Circa 1963, or explore the many nearby attractions. They allow pups too (up to two, for a fee), which is a plus.
Courtyard by Marriott El Paso Downtown/Convention Center
You’ll find the Courtyard El Paso Downtown near the El Paso Convention Center and within walking distance of many of downtown El Paso’s attractions. Comfortable rooms, a fitness centre and an outdoor pool are standard here, and The Bistro serves cooked breakfasts and dinner.
Silver City: a detour west towards the Gila
Silver City is a charming town about three hours’ drive west of the park, around 165 miles away. It’s too far to be a base for a day at the dunes, but it makes sense if the park is one stop on a longer road trip that heads west to the Gila.
Known for its rich history and artistic community, Silver City is a great place to stay for those who want to experience a unique and authentic side of New Mexico.
Silver City highlights
Historic downtown
Silver City’s downtown area showcases historic buildings, art galleries and unique shops. Take a stroll down the main street and explore the local businesses, or join a guided tour to learn more about the town’s history and architecture.
Gila National Forest
The Gila National Forest sits just outside of Silver City and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and fishing. The forest is home to diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, including the famous Gila Cliff Dwellings, about two hours’ drive north of town on a slow, winding mountain road.
Western New Mexico University Museum
The Western New Mexico University Museum sits on the campus of the university, in the 1917 Fleming Hall, and features exhibits on the history, geology and culture of the region.
It also has one of the largest collections of Mimbres pottery in the world, a unique pottery style created by the Mimbres people around 1,000 years ago.
Suggested hotels in Silver City
The Murray Hotel
The Murray Hotel is a historic boutique hotel in the heart of Silver City’s downtown area, on Broadway, and has been welcoming guests since 1938. The retro Murray Hotel features art deco-inspired furnishings and rooms, each with its own unique charm, and breakfast is included. Better yet, it’s within walking distance of most of the town’s sights, making for the ideal base if you’re carrying on west to the Gila.
Comfort Inn Near Gila National Forest
The Comfort Inn on Highway 180, on the east side of Silver City, offers a comfortable and convenient stay and has all the amenities you could want. It’s a good budget-friendly base for the Gila National Forest, if not for the dunes themselves.
Camping near White Sands National Park
Camping inside the park isn’t currently possible: its backcountry campsites are closed while park staff assess conditions, and the park doesn’t allow RV or car camping. These are the closest campgrounds instead.
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
About 12 miles south of Alamogordo (8 miles down US 54, then 4 miles along Dog Canyon Road), and about half an hour from the park, this state park sits at the mouth of Dog Canyon at the foot of the Sacramento Mountains, where springs feed pools under the cottonwoods. There are 16 sites with water and electric hook-ups and 26 developed dry sites, plus showers, and you can book through New Mexico State Parks. The group area and dump station are closed for construction until about December 2026.
Alamogordo/White Sands KOA Journey
This well-developed campground on 24th Street in Alamogordo, about 20 minutes from the dunes, is ideal for families and groups who don’t want to do without modern amenities. It’s open all year, with RV sites with full hook-ups, tent sites and cabins, plus a laundry, showers, free wi-fi, a playground, a dog park and a pool (summer only).
Aguirre Spring Campground
Aguirre Spring is a well-maintained campground tucked in the foothills of the striking Organ Mountains, off US 70 just east of San Augustin Pass, on the eastern side of the mountains, about 40 miles from the park. Its 55 sites are first come, first served, at $7 a night, and each has a shade shelter, picnic table, grill and tent pad. The access road is narrow and winding, so RVs longer than 23 feet aren’t recommended, and water is only available at the entrance. Two national recreation trails start here: the 4-mile Pine Tree Trail loop and the Baylor Pass Trail.
Lincoln National Forest campgrounds
In summer, the cooler choice is one of the Forest Service campgrounds around Cloudcroft, about 40 miles from the park and almost 9,000 feet up. Silver, Saddle and Apache sit together off NM 244, just east of the village, and are staffed from late May to early September. Book them on Recreation.gov.
Where to stay near White Sands: FAQs
What is the best area to stay near White Sands National Park?
If you ask me, Alamogordo is the best area, hands down. At just 15 miles (24 km) from the park, it offers you a variety of accommodation, including hotels, motels and holiday rentals. Plus, it’s home to restaurants like CJ’s Si Señor Restaurant and shops, making it a convenient base for exploring the park.
Can you stay overnight in White Sands National Park?
Not at the moment. There’s no lodging in the park, and the backcountry campsites, the only way to spend a night in the dunes, are closed with no reopening date. The park is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, but its hours change through the year, so check the National Park Service website before you go. If you want to see the dunes after dark, look out for the park’s Full Moon Nights and moonlight hikes.
Are there luxury hotels near White Sands?
Not right by the park: the hotels in Alamogordo are mostly mid-range chains. For something special, the nearest options are The Lodge at Cloudcroft, a historic mountain hotel about 50 minutes away, and Hotel Paso del Norte in El Paso, about an hour and a half away.
When’s the best time to visit White Sands National Park?
The best time to visit White Sands National Park is in September or October. You’ll enjoy milder, cooler weather, with fewer crowds. Plus, it’s a lot more affordable than summer, and who doesn’t love to save a buck (or two)?
How do you get around the park?
Apart from cycling or walking, a car is the best way to get around the park, which is explored along the 8-mile Dunes Drive. You’ll want to make the drive here or rent a vehicle, as there’s no public transport to the park and no shuttle inside it. Rentalcars.com is a good place to compare prices.
Does the road to White Sands ever close?
Yes. The park sits next to White Sands Missile Range, and during missile tests the road into the park can close for up to three hours, while US 70 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces may close too. Check the park’s closure updates the day before you go, especially if you’re driving over from Las Cruces.
Tips for booking your hotel
- Staying closer to the park can save you time and transportation costs: this is why I love Alamogordo so much.
- The park is a VERY popular destination, so I recommend booking your accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment, especially the Cloudcroft cabins in summer.
- Entry to the park is $25 per vehicle and valid for seven days. If you’re visiting several national parks, the America the Beautiful pass covers them all ($80, or $250 for non-US residents).
- Set your sat nav for White Sands National Park, not just “White Sands”, which can send you to the missile range, about 25 miles west of the park.
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Read next
- Brilliant things to do in White Sands National Park
- When to visit White Sands National Park
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