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Home › New Mexico › Alkali Flat Trail
About the Trail
At 5 miles total for the loop, the Alkali Flat Trail is the longest trail in White Sands National Park and should be considered strenuous due to the trail being entirely composed of sand. It provides spectacular views of the gypsum sand dunes that it travels across.
Map
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Directions
From downtown Alamogordo, drive south on N White Sands Blvd. This road turns into S White Sands Blvd and then U.S. Hwy 70. Keep driving straight on Hwy 70 all the way to the park entrance which is about 16 miles from downtown and is on the right. The Alkali Flat Trail will be the furthest down the park road which is about 7.4 miles past the visitor center.
Description
From the parking area, hike to the signs at the trailhead. Make sure to read all of them. After the signs, the trail travels on the north side of a dune. Soon there is a junction without a sign. It is very easy to miss so if you don't see it, just keep following the orange markers straight (clockwise) and you will end up back at this junction after completing the loop. Next, the route passes by some vegetation growing in the sand, which is the most you will see on this hike. The trail now continues up, down and across sand dunes all the way to the back of the loop. Near the back of the loop the trail descends a dune to a vast sandy plain. Then it turns right at a warning sign for unexploded ordinances and ascends slightly back into the dune field. This part is unclear as there seems to be a lack of markers indicating the trail turning to the right. Once you climb a steep dune, you should see more markers. The trail back to the parking lot also climbs up and down sand dunes, some of which are quite steep. Near the end of the loop, you will notice other parking areas to the left, but keep following the orange markers back to the trailhead.
| Hike Facts | Trailhead Facts | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥾 Trail Features: | Views, gypsum sand dunes, artistic patterns in the sand and desert scenery | 🥾 Parking: | A large sandy parking lot | 🥾Nearest Services | Alamogordo is the closest town. |
| 🥾 Milage: | 5 mi/8 km loop | 🥾 Acccess Road: | Sandy, but easily passable | 🥾 Nearest Lodging: | Alamogordo has plenty of lodging options. |
| 🥾 Elevation Gain: | Variable, because the sands shift over time. | 🥾 Trailhead Features: | Large amounts of parking, interpretive signs, a vault toilet | 🥾 Nearest Camping: | There is no campground in White Sands National Park. |
| 🥾 Trail Use/Surface: | 🥾 Trailhead Elevation: | 3967 ft/1209.14 m | |||
| 🥾 Pets: | Yes, but must be on a leash at all times | 🥾 Park Hours: | Hours vary throughout the year, but the gates always open at 7:00 AM unless there is missile testing. Check the park website for updates |
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| 🥾 Crowds: | Can be busy, but is quieter near the back of the loop | 🥾 Fee: | $25/private vehicle,$15/person or $20/motorcycle. Annual park passes are also available for $45 which includes yourself and 3 passengers. | ||
| 🥾 Bugs: | No | 🥾 Best Season: | All year |
Handicap Acccessibility
The hike is not handicap accessible, but the scenery at the trailhead can be enjoyed by anyone.
Tips for a Great Hike
🥾 Carry a lot of water. The sign at the trailhead says that every person needs at least 64 oz or 2 liters of water and that if you have already used half of the water on the hike, then you should turn back.
🥾 Many of the markers can get buried in the sand, if you don't see any in front of you, then you should turn around and head back the way you came.
🥾 This trail is not recommended during high temperatures.
🥾 Some people feel that the scenery does not change much on this trail. If you are one of those, then I suggest to walk as far as you want and then turn back. The scenery is excellent right from the start.
🥾 Despite being about 5 miles, this hike is tiring because the trail is all sand. However, gypsum sand is easier to walk on then regular sand such as the sand in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Recommended Resources
nat park hiking link
nat park safety page link
Hiking New Mexico: A Guide to 95 of the State's Greatest Hiking Adventures by Laurence Parent (A Falcon Guide)