Playa Trail

The Playa Trail is an easy, flat trail at White Sands.

Quick Facts

Location:

2.5 miles from Visitor Center

Amenities

5 listed

Audio Description, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead

The Playa Trail is an easy, 0.5 mile (800m) round-trip, level trail with outdoor exhibits along the way to help you learn and explore this trail and the characteristics that make it special. Follow the green trail markers with a heart symbol that lead to a small playa. On this self-guided trail, you will discover the importance of a playa undergoing constant change. Learn how this change creates habitats for plants and animals. It may be brown, white, filled with water, or have growing crystals. See what the playa looks like today! At the end of the trail, you have the opportunity to travel back in time and see what this area looked like 10,000 years ago and learn about the giants that once roamed this land. Please stay on the trail. Footprints destroy the biological soil crust that is vital to White Sands. The average completion time is 30 minutes.

Length: 0.5 mile (800m), round-trip
Trail Marker Color: Green
 Trail Marker Symbol: Heart
Average Completion Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
 Distance from Visitor Center: 2.5 miles (4 km)
Restroom: No restroom facility is available

Before setting out on foot at White Sands National Park, please view our Hiking Safety Tips.