A Day at White Sands National Park with kids



A Day at White Sands National Park: Scenic Views, Soup Hacks & Sandy Sledding

If you’ve never been to White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico, add it to your family travel list right now! Our family recently made the trip and spent the day exploring the glistening gypsum dunes—and it was every bit as magical and memory-making as I hoped.

We kicked off our visit with the Scenic Dunes Drive, a beautiful route that winds through miles of soft white sand. The farther you go, the more it feels like you’ve landed on another planet. The views are breathtaking, and the sand stretches out like a sea of snow. We made a few stops to soak it all in, take photos, and let the kids run around.

While they were running around, I quickly refueled with my favorite Aloha bar: chocolate fudge brownie. 



After the drive, we found a shady spot to enjoy lunch—and this is where one of my favorite mom hacks came in. I brought along our little propane stove, boiled water right there at our picnic spot, and stirred in a packet of Bear Creek Creamy Potato soup mix. I let it sit for about 10 minutes while we unpacked and settled in, and it turned out perfectly. Warm, hearty, and so satisfying after a morning of exploring! The kids loved it, and I loved how quick and mess-free it was. It’s officially going on my list of easy travel meals for our next adventure.



Once we were refueled, we hit the Dune Life Nature Trail, a short loop that’s perfect for families. Our girls had fun reading the animal story signs along the way, and the soft sand gave them a challenge without being too hard. It sparked lots of fun conversations about desert life and how animals survive in such a unique environment.



And of course—we couldn’t leave without sledding the dunes! We brought our own plastic sleds and sled wax, which made all the difference. The dunes are soft and forgiving, but waxing the bottom of your sled helps you pick up speed and makes each ride so much more fun.

If you're planning a visit and want to come prepared, these are the exact ones we used and loved:
👉 Our favorite sleds on Amazon
👉 The wax that helped us fly down the dunes



(Note: These are affiliate links. When you shop through them, you help support Ministry of Mothering at no extra cost to you—thank you!)

The visitor center also has sleds available for purchase or rent if you don’t bring your own, but we found having our own gave us more time to play and explore without the extra stop.



We wrapped up our day by checking into the Hampton Inn in Alamogordo, which turned out to be the perfect spot for a quick and comfortable stay. Even better—it’s right next door to Chili’s, so we walked over for an early dinner, which was exactly what we needed after a full day in the sun and sand.

This trip was a reminder that adventure doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of planning, a few practical hacks, and a spirit of wonder, family memories can be made in the most beautiful places.



✨ Travel Tips:

  • Bring lots of water and sun protection—even in cooler weather, the sun reflects brightly off the sand.

  • Go earlier in the day to beat the heat and crowds.

  • Bring a sled and some wax, or grab one from the visitor center—they’re affordable and worth it!

  • The sand is easy to clean off—don’t let the mess stop you.

  • A small propane stove and soup mix make for an easy, warm lunch on the go.

  • Consider staying in Alamogordo for convenience—having a hotel right near dinner options made our evening so much easier.

If you’re planning a road trip through New Mexico, White Sands is an absolute must. It’s a day your family won’t forget—and one I’m grateful to have shared with mine.

Connect with me on Instagram at @ministry.of.mothering for daily encouragement, easy recipes, and support. We’re all in this together!

#WhiteSandsNationalPark #FamilyTravel #ChristianHomeschoolFamily #MomLifeOnTheRoad #Roadschooling #TravelWithKids #HomeschoolFieldTrip #FamilyAdventure #DesertDays #MinistryOfMothering #MomHacks #SoupOnTheGo #ScenicDrive #NatureTrailFun #SleddingTheDunes #MinistryOfMotheringTravels #BearCreekSoupHack #PropaneStoveLunch #HamptonInnStay #ChilisNextDoor #AmazonFindsForMoms #AffiliateLinkLove

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