This Scenic Drive Runs Straight Through New Mexico’s White Sands National Park, And It’s A Breathtaking Journey

White Sands National Park is one of the best-known locations in the Land of Enchantment. Encompassing 275 square miles of white gypsum sand dunes, this is the largest of its kind in the world. And while you can explore this white sandy desert on foot, you may also want to enjoy a scenic drive through White Sands National Park as well. There's nothing quite like the White Sands National Park Dunes Drive, a short and scenic drive. It's something everyone should do when they visit this natural wonder.

White Sands National Park is found within the Tularosa Basin. Within the park is 275 square miles of desert covered in white gypsum.

You can take a relatively short scenic drive through the park for extraordinary views of the dunescape. It's one of the best ways to see this immense natural wonder.

Dunes Drive is a roadway that leads from the Visitors Center into the heart of the white dunes. Along the way are scenic stops, exhibits, and areas to have a picnic, so don't forget your road trip snacks!

The road is eight miles one way and it takes approximately 45 minutes to make the 16-mile roundtrip. However, you should set aside enough time for all the stops you'll want to make along the way.

The first five miles of Dunes Drive are paved while the last three miles are made of hard-packed gypsum sand.

This is one of the most memorable scenic drives you can make and it happens to be at one of the most extraordinary, otherworldly places in New Mexico.

Have you ever taken this scenic drive through White Sands National Park? What are your favorite scenic drives in New Mexico? Have you ever visited White Sands in New Mexico? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. To learn more about Dunes Drive through White Sands, visit the National Park Service website.

Looking to get out of the car and take a hike? Take the Interdune Boardwalk Trail for scenic views at White Sands National Park.

If you are searching for even more New Mexico adventures, take a look at this Only In Your State video below.