backcountry
White Sands National Monument offers a primitive backcountry campsite located about one mile from the scenic drive. The trailhead to this campsite is located 6 miles from the visitor center. The campsite is primitive with no water or toilet facilities. No ground fires are permitted, and visitors must pack out all trash and biological waste.
A limited number of permits are required for backcountry use, and can be obtained on a first-come, first-served no reservations basis for $3 per person at the visitor center between 8 AM and 4 PM. Note that during testing at White Sands Missle Range the backcountry is closed and no permits are issued. Since missile tests are subject to change, please call the park the day before you plan to use the campsite to verify that the site will be available that night.
camping
There are no organized campgrounds within the monument, but backcountry camping is available. Public and private campgrounds located near the park include Alamogordo 15 miles northeast, Las Cruces 52 miles southwest, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park 22 miles from park on highway 54, south and at Aguirre Springs, a Bureau of Land Management BLM recreation area 35 miles southwest.
lodging
There is no lodging within the monument, but the town of Alamogordo, located 15 miles east of the park, has several hotels.