White Sands National Park · New Mexico

Alkali Flat Trail

4.7 mi of trail, end to end · about 50 ft of climbing · 3,945 ft–3,995 ft · sand surface

3,995 ft 3,994 ft · 4.6 mi high 3,995 ft

Trailhead Alkali Flat Trail 3,995 ft Drive there

Hiking Alkali Flat Trail the Park Service's write-up

3-5 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Dunes Drive

Two people silhouetted on top of a white dune with blue sky overhead
Alkali Flat Trail Photo: NPS

Surround yourself with a rolling white landscape that stretches endlessly in every direction. Embrace the solitude offered by this trail as it travels up and down the dunes and away from the road. Find yourself along the outer edge of Alakli Flat, the salty expanse where an ancient lake once flourished.

This is a strenuous five mile (8 km) out-and-back hike. You will hike 2.5 (4 km) miles to Alkali Flat and return the same way. This hike consistently has you climbing 60 ft (18.3 m) dunes.

This trail takes an average of four hours to complete.

Follow the red diamond trail markers to complete the trail. If you are unable to see the next marker, turn around and go back to the trailhead.

Although the name of the trail is "Alkali Flat," please note that this trail is not flat!

Ranger Recommendations

Bring plenty of water for your family and pets

This trail has very little shade. Use adequate sun protection.

Look carefully for the next trail marker before continuing. If you cannot see the next trail marker because of blowing sand or because the trail marker is knocked down, do not proceed—return to your car. Strong winds can reduce visibility to a few feet, making it easy to become lost.

Stay on the trail to avoid damaging delicate biocrust

Visit our Hiking Safety page for more recommendations about hiking in the unique conditions of White Sands National Park

Accessibility This trail is not ADA accessible. This hike includes walking up and down sand dunes of up to sixty feet in loose gypsum sand. The park's only accessible trail is the Interdune Boardwalk .

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 6 trails in White Sands National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.