Overview of entrance requirementsAll visitors MUST have
Entrance PassesStandard Entrance Pass$15.00–$25.00
White Sands National Park charges a variety of fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park, and whether they're part of a commercial tour group or not.
Per vehicle fee is charged to visitors for entry by a single, private non-commercial vehicle. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase. In-person Purchase Locations
Per person fee is charged to visitors for entry by means other than a single, private non-commercial vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who enter the park by walking and bicycling. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase. In-person Purchase Locations
Entrance fees are valid for entry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase. In-person Purchase Locations
For Organizations & BusinessesCommercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board). In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board). In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board). In-person Purchase Locations
 Annual Entrance - Park$45.00 This pass admits the pass holder and three persons (16 years and older) in a private non-commercial vehicle into the park for free for a period of one year from month of purchase. It can only be purchased at the entrance station to White Sands National Park. This pass does not apply to special use fees, such as camping and interpretive program fees. In-person Purchase Locations
2023 Fee-free DaysNo entrance pass required on these days:
NPS Photo Park Entrance FeesWhite Sands National Park Entrance - Vehicle - $25.00 Per vehicle fee is charged to visitors for entry by a single, private non-commercial vehicle. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase. White Sands National Park Entrance - Person - $15.00 Per person fee is charged to visitors for entry by means other than a single, private non-commercial vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who enter the park by walking and bicycling. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase. White Sands National Park Entrance - Motorcycle - $20.00 Entrance fees are valid for entry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase. White Sands National Park Entrance - Annual Vehicle Pass - $45.00 This pass admits the pass holder and three persons (16 years and older) in a private non-commercial vehicle into the park for free for a period of one year from month of purchase. It can only be purchased at the entrance station to White Sands National Park. This pass does not apply to special use fees, such as camping and interpretive program fees. America the Beautiful - Annual Park Pass - $80.00 The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country. A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free. America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass ProgramThese passes are your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees, and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free.
Learn more about the America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program. The Interagency Passes listed here have replaced the Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports, as well as the National Parks Pass. These passes will remain valid until they expire or are lost or stolen. Fee Free DaysEvery year, the National Park Service picks certain holidays as fee free days. On these days, the entrance fees are waived for all national parks that charge fees. Commercial bus tour fees are not waived on fee free days. Fee free days are a great opportunity to visit your national parks. Interpretive Program FeesProgram fees of $8.00 per person for anyone 16 years and older and $4.00 for anyone 15 years and young are charged for some of our interpretive programs. Program fees are charged for Lake Lucero Tours and Full Moon Hikes programs. Backcountry Camping FeeBackcountry campers are required to pay park entrance fees as well as camping fees. The camping fee is $3.00 per person age 16 and older and $1.50 for anyone age 15 and under. There is a 50% discount on camping fees for holders of the Federal Access and Senior passes. This discount is only valid for the cardholder. It does not apply to other campers in the group. Permits and fees are collected at the fee station at the beginning of Dunes Drive. Group Use Area Reservation FeeFrom family reunions to weddings to boy scout jamborees, White Sands National Park has long been a popular location for large gatherings. Our group use area is the perfect location for private functions, and it is available for reservation. A $100 non-refundable reservation fee must be paid at the time of reservation. Academic Fee WaiverThe Academic Fee Waiver is applicable to bona fide educational institutions using the park's resources as part of their curriculum. Commercial Bus/Van ToursCommercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).
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Special Use Permits Types |
Administrative Application Cost |
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$100.00 additional fees may apply |
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$100.00 additional fees may apply |
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$100.00 additional fees may apply |
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$0 |
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$0 |
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Up to $75.00 per hour or any fraction thereof |
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$0 |
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$100.00 additional fees may apply |
Note: Other fees may apply. Cost Recovery can apply to any permit and be determined by the need to have a monitor, cleaning up site, etc.
Last updated: May 25, 2023