The Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands National Park
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Hiking the Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is the newest member of New Mexico’s National Parks, and it definitely has a wealth of unique outdoor adventures awaiting its visitors!  This park appeals to the whimsical side of both children and adults with its sand sledding opportunities, a major draw for most guests.  It is also primed for familes with several short, easy, hiking trails within its borders.  But for those looking for a more formidable hike, White Sands has that covered as well!  There is a one of a kind hiking trail here that is unlike any other, the Alkali Flat Trail!  This 5 mile grueling hike will satisfy those looking for a challenge, as well as those looking to reward their imagination with other wordly views!  This guide covers everything you need to know for safely and responsibly hiking the Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands National Park!

 

The Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands

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Guide to Hiking the Alkali Flat Trail

 

 

When you first arrive to White Sands National Park and drive into its borders on the Dunes Drive, you will likely be most immediately greeted by families, children, and groups of young adults frolicking and sledding on the dunes immediately off the road.  This light hearted atmosphere may lead you to think that White Sands is accessible to all, but this does not apply to hiking the Alkali Flat Trail! 

 

Hiking the Alkali Flat Trail is for a select few visitors who are ready to hike 5 straight miles over countless sand dunes, in open sun with no cover, in large swaths of complete solitude.  It is an undertaking that should be done intentionally and responsibly!

 

The Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands
Views of the Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands National Park

 

 

Location of the Alkali Flat Trail

 

The Alkali Flat Trail is located in White Sands National Park, in southern New Mexico.  It is harbored in the Tularosa Basin, enclosed by the San Andres Mountains.  The closest town is Alamagordo, with the closest major city being Las Cruces. 

 

The region surrounding the Alkali Flat Trail and White Sands National Park

 

The trailhead for the Alkali Flat Trail is located at the end of the 7 mile long Dunes Drive, the main roadway that cuts through the heart of White Sands National Park, and is the access point to all destinations within the park.

 

The Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands National Park

 

 

Quick Facts on the Alkali Flat Trail

 

Length: 5 mile loop

Elevation Gain: 52 feet

Alkali Flat Trail Elevation Chart
Alkali Flat Trail Elevation Chart

 

Rating: Moderate – due to hiking up and down the dunes, the elements, and the length

Dog Friendly: Yes – but make sure they are leashed and you clean up after them!  Check out the full pet policy at White Sands National Park here.

Estimated Time to Hike: 2 hours

Best Time to Visit: Fall, Winter, or Spring

 

 

Know Before You Go

 

 

Entrance fees for White Sands National Park are $25.  More info can be found on the park’s official website.

 

The only place to fill up with water in the whole park is at the White Sands Visitor’s Center.  There is a water refill station here.  Bring more water than you think you will need!  I bring at least 3 liters in this Platypus Hydration Bladder.

 

You will not likely have cell phone service for the majority of the 5 mile long Alkali Flat Trail.  If you rely on downloaded maps, like those that can be found on hiking apps like AllTrails, download them before hand.  Rest assured, the Alkali Flat Trail is very well marked.  In fact, all of the trails in White Sands National Park are very well marked.

 

Summer hiking is NOT recommended, certainly not day hiking in the summer.  Temperatures in the summer in White Sands can soar past the 100’s, so it is actually recommended NOT to start a hike in White Sands if the temperature is already 85 or above. 

 

If you are going to attempt a summer hike of the Alkali Flat Trail, it should absolutely be a very early morning hike, and that’s a big if.  Again, there is no water, no shade, no cover, and often no others here, so your margin for error is very thin.  If you can hike in the early spring, late fall, or winter, it is better to do so for this trail.  

 

Hiking the dunes in White Sands National Park

 

 

The Trailhead of the Alkali Flat Trail

 

As mentioned above, the trailhead for the Alkali Flat Trail is found at the very end of the Dunes Drive, the main road through White Sands National Park.  This road goes 7 miles into the park, before looping back around and heading back towards the park entrance.  The trailhead for the Alkali Flat Trail is located at the very end of the 7 miles, right before the road loops back around.

 

There are signs posted for the trailhead, and it is easy to find.  There is ample parking, and bathroom facilities also.  Note that there are no water refill stations at the trailhead, all water needs to be filled at the refill station at the Visitor’s Center!

 

Insider TipMy experience hiking the Alkali Flat Trail was clockwise on the loop.  My following description is based off of hiking clockwise, though it is possible to hike counterclockwise.   

 

The trailhead of the Alkali Flat TrailThe trailhead of the Alkali Flat Trail

 

The beginning of the Alkali Flat's five milesThe beginning of the Alkali Flat Trail’s five miles

 

 

The Alkali Flat Trail

 

As soon as you start off past the trailhead, you will notice that the scenery on this trail is largely uniform, however, it is starkly alien-esque and absolutely mesmerizing!  The sea of ivory dunes stretches infinitely, and creates an air of complete isolation and solitude!  In my experience, you may begin the trail with a small crowd of fellow hikers, but most drop off after the first few minutes.

 

And for good reason, because it will become immediately clear that this is not a hike for the faint of heart.  Hiking uphill is hard enough, but it is substantially more difficult in soft and shifting sand.  As a whole, count on very few breaks from the ups and down of the dunes.  Traversing them is a constant undertaking for the whole 5 miles.  I have averaged this hike in just around 2 hours with just a couple very short breaks.

 

The rolling dunes of the Alkali Trail

 

One must also take into account the elements.  There are no water sources, there is zero shade or cover, and you will be in direct sun the entire time, which is increased in its strength due to its glare off the white dunes.  Even in winter, I have emerged sunburnt from this hike.  It is important to be adequately prepared for these elements, as well as the challenging terrain.

 

The other important factor to note is how to follow the trail.  You may be wondering how you find a trail through endless, largely identical, sand dunes, but White Sands National Park has done a superb job of handling that challenge.  Each of this park’s trails are marked with color and shape coded markers.  In the case of the Alkali Flat Trail, the markers are red, with black diamonds.  They are spaced out so that the next marker is always in sight.  At no point was I ever out of sight of a marker on the Alkali Flat Trail.

 

Trail markers along the Alkali Flat Trail
Trail markers along the Alkali Flat Trail

 

 

Though this 5 miles is all dunes, there are some slight variances along the way.  There are “valleys” between the dunes with crystallized ripples, spatterings of desert vegetation, and some small portions of flat trail.  The largest portion of flat trail comes around the half way mark, where the trail curves to the right before meandering back towards the trailhead.  This halfway point of flatness is also where you will see signage warning of the White Sands Missile Range testing grounds in the background, which should NOT be entered.  Follow the designated trail markers to continue on the Alkali Flat Trail!

 

I personally found the dunes on the 1st half of the hike to be more challenging and grueling than the dunes along the 2nd half of the loop.  But no matter how challenging they were, the reward was always equally worth it!  Fantastic views of the surrounding purple mountains rising from the stark expanse of dunes was breathtaking!  And unlike summiting just one peak, you get to enjoy this payoff over and over from the crest of each of the numerous dunes on the Alkali Flat Trail!

 

"Valleys" between the dunes
“Valleys” and vegetation between the dunes

 

Follow the tracks across the endless surface
Follow the tracks across the endless surface

 

"Flat" portions of the Alkali Flat Trail in the backcountry
“Flat” portions of the Alkali Flat Trail in the backcountry

 

Gear Recommendations for the Alkali Flat Trail

 

Hiking the Alkali Flat Trail and its unique terrain requires unique gear.  Here are a few must haves:

 

 

  • water!  I would recommend bringing 3 liters of water, especially if the temperatures are on the warmer side.  There are no water sources past the Visitor’s Center, so fill up there!  For transporting that amount of water, I like using a 3 liter water hydration bladder like this Platypus model available on Amazon.  I prefer this system because I can hydrate on the go, I am able to easily transport the entire 3 liters of water, and this water hydration bladder has a wide mouth, which makes cleaning and drying much easier than older models.  

 

  • snacks!  Eat a good meal of healthy carbs before hand, but also bring along compact, lightweight, and high energy snacks just in case.  You may not see another hiker for the entirety of the 5 miles, so it is wise to have what you need on hand in case of emergency, and do not count on others for assistance.  Get your list of simply, healthy, hiking snacks here!

 

  • the 10 hiking essentials!  Due to the length and secluded nature of this hike, I would recommend bringing along the 10 hiking essentials, which include emergency tools and emergency shelter!       

         ***Prefer to have this hiking gear checklist as a handy PDF?   Download Your Own HERE!

 

  • a Buff!  This is one of the most mult-functional and useful accessories I have in my inventory, and I use it all around for hiking, running, kayaking, etc.  In environments like the Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands, I find that there are often windy conditions on the open desert, with very little natural wind breakage, and I have to protect my ears and often my face from agressively windy conditions.  Buffs are amazing little creations that can double as ear muffs, baklavas, and headbands to keep hair in place.  They are reversible and available in a ton of fun colors as well!

 

  • wear the right layers!  No matter what season it is, invest in the right fabrics and the right layers!  You need layers that are breathable, moisture wicking, and quick drying.  Wool is my go to for this job.  Below are some recommended wool layers, from wool tanks for hot temps, to wool base layers and outer layers for chillier days.

       -my favorite lightweight wool tank 

      -the best wool base layer for staying both warm and breathable 

      -a lightweight outer layer that is fully wind and waterproof 

 

  • eye protection!  The glare from the dunes can be deceptive.  It is worth taking along some eye protection, whether that be a hat or sunglasses.  Don’t forget to protect your skin as well with plenty of sweat proof sunscreen!

 

The best hike in White Sands

 

Once you’ve experienced the Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands, don’t, miss out on all the other fun opportunities in this park!  Top off your visit with an afternoon of sand sledding, or check out some of the other shorter dune hikes in the park!  Overnight camping here is spectacular, with unbeatable sunrises and sunsets dancing over the dunes!  If you are looking to check off both of New Mexico’s National Parks, check out how to get the most out of a visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park!

 

 

****Keep track of EACH National Park visit with this Printable CHECKLIST!****

 

RELATED ARTICLES:

Guide to White Sands National Park

Guide to Carlsbad Caverns National Park

8 Outdoor Adventures in Carlsbad, New Mexico

Guide to Hiking Wheeler Peak: the Highest Point in New Mexico

Best Hikes in Northern New Mexico

 

 

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The Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands

 

 

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