Gleaming gypsum crystal dunes roll as far as the eye can see at White Sands National Park. With waves towering up to 60 feet tall, the composition of the Northern Chihuahuan Desert landscape is constantly changing due to wind and weather patterns. Hardy plants like yuccas, grasses, and shrubs have evolved to survive in the shifting sands, adding texture to the spectacle of shapes and shadows that define the scenery.
This remarkable landscape is fit to be appreciated on camera, by foot, on Dunes Drive by bike, and famously on saucer sleds down the dunes. Like many national parks in the country, White Sands is remotely located and can require around an hour or more of travel time from your accommodation. The journey is well worth it, though, and these stays prove it.
Take your pick of hotels and vacation rentals. From boutique Western hotels, to gorgeous glamping domes, to a converted art gallery, we’ve selected places guaranteed to satisfy your Western adventure cravings. Below, our list of the 11 best places to stay near White Sands National Park, all less than two hours away.
We've vetted these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.
Hotels
Hotel Encanto
Distance from park: 50 minutes
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Private or semi-private patio rooms, outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, fitness center, pet-friendly
Nearby attractions: Historic Old Mesilla, New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, Fort Selden State Monument, Rio Grande Theatre, Las Cruces Museum of Art
Roll out of your king bed in the Deluxe Terrace Room crafted in collaboration with Virgin Galactic. Blending Southwestern aesthetics with space travel inspiration, this accommodation sports colonial-style French doors that open directly onto a private patio overlooking the terrace garden and pool. After a day of sledding in the dunes, indulge in a bite or beverage from the poolside menu. Located in downtown Las Cruces 50-minutes away from the park, this hotel features 203 guest rooms—some offering city or mountain views—adorned in rustic Spanish Colonial decor and local artwork. Choose the White Sands Package that provides visitors with two sand sleds, bottled water, and sunscreen when you book your stay.
Hotel Paso del Norte, Autograph Collection
Distance from park: 1.5 hours
Bed & bath: 1-2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Rooftop pool, cigar lounge, spa, multilingual staff, pillow top mattresses, complimentary airport shuttle
Nearby attractions: The Plaza Theater, El Paso Museum of Art, Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, Southwest University Park, El Paso Streetcar, El Paso Museum of History
This stay isn’t in New Mexico, it’s in Texas. However, the iconic 108-year-old, 351-room hotel designed by architect Henry Trost, is only 1.5 hours away from the park, and gives guests a soulful El Paso stay. Those looking for views ranging from local to international can enjoy panoramas of the Franklin Mountains, downtown El Paso, or Mexico pending room selection. Hotel Paso del Norte is steeped in a diverse triad of cultures: Texan, Mexican, and North American. The cross-cultural fusion can be felt in the interior design and furnishings, and tasted at both the southern comfort fusion restaurant, Sabor, as well as the upscale West Texas-inspired 1700° Steakhouse. Post White Sands adventure, wind down with a drink at the towering 25-foot Tiffany-style stained glass dome bar encircled in gold crown molding. Plan to be pampered with a spa day on-site at Desert Spirit Spa the following day.
Stanton House
Distance from park: 1.5 hours
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Sensory deprivation tanks, freestanding soaking tubs, alpaca throws, locally-stocked mini bar, steam rooms and Vichy Shower at the spa
Nearby attractions: Surreal Sculpture Garden, Abraham Chavez Theatre, Franklin Mountain State Park, Aztec Cave Trail, The Hoppy Monk Brewery, El Paso Downtown Arts District
Stanton House offers a boutique artist’s haven to behold 1.5 hours away from the national park in El Paso, Texas. With only 42 rooms, every spacious suite is individually curated and features both nationally and internationally sourced art pieces that are unique to each dwelling. Sleep soundly at the eclectic and intimate hotel, especially after emerging from a float therapy session. Delve deeper into relaxation mode at Blush Spa upon returning from a day of natural inspiration at the dunes. At the on-site Southwestern restaurant, Taft-Diaz, savor locally sourced dishes (don't miss the signature corn and truffle soup) along with signature cocktails and city views from the rooftop bar.
The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park
Distance from park: 1.5 hours
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: In-room Tivoli sound systems with curated playlists, Le Labo bath products, Matouk robes, slippers and linens
Nearby attractions: San Jacinto Plaza, Scenic Drive Overlook, El Segundo Barrio, El Paso Mission Trail, Magoffin Home State Historic Site, Butterfield Trail Golf Club
Dress for the dunes by day, go 1930s glam by night. The colorscape within this 130-room, 90-year-old historic West Texas landmark once home to Elizabeth Taylor draws on a desert-inspired palate of champagne, cream, and burgundy. Experience Pueblo Revival Art Deco architectural style at this elegant El Paso stay 1.5 hours away from White Sands National Park. Set the vibe just right when you press play on the curated playlists that bump from your in-room Tivoli sound system. Practice your steps to the beat or have a seat in the cigar chair, then fall asleep on a bed supported by channel-tufted headboards. Alternatively, you can continue the night at La Perla, the rooftop bar serving up Friday night jazz and Saturday night DJ sets. La Perla used to be Elizabeth Taylor’s penthouse and was inspired by La Peregrina: the famous pearl that once belonged to the Spanish monarchy, Napoleon Bonaparte's brother, and ultimately Elizabeth Taylor. Make sure not to miss the elevated dining experience at Ámbar Restaurante, home to 800-plus bottles of agave spirits, making it the largest collection of its kind in Texas and the second largest in North America.
Sierra Grande
Distance from park: 1 hour and 45 mins
Bed & bath: 1-2 bedrooms, 1 bath or a 2-bedroom Casita
Top amenities: Complimentary hot springs soaks, intimate spa retreat, farm-to-table brunch, fitness center
Nearby attractions: Spaceport America, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Paleontology Tours, History Tours, North American Safaris, Bison Expeditions
Picture yourself going from sledding down sparkling sand dunes and enjoying a picnic lunch (courtesy of your hotel) to enjoying private indoor and outdoor mineral-rich geothermal hot springs at your home-away-from-home. If this is your ideal day, book a room at the Sierra Grande’s historic and intimate 17-room retreat. Offering an array of holistic wellness services and outdoor activities like birding, biking, sunrise-and-sunset wildlife safaris, and heritage tours, the escape has something for those looking for a stimulating adventure or a revitalizing weekend away. Built in 1929 in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico—a small town renowned for its independent galleries, restaurants, and boutiques—this property stands on land recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. The Sierra Grande is one of four Ted Turner Retreats in New Mexico and opened in 2013 so that guests could experience the conservation-forward reserve.
Rentals
The sunset escape
Distance from park: 45 minutes
Bed & bath: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths
Top amenities: Complimentary dune sleds, board games, sunset-view patio (covered and uncovered), newly-renovated kitchen
Nearby attractions: Farmers and Crafts Market of Las Cruces, Recycled Road Runner Statue, Grapevine Plaza, NM Vintage Wines, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
Odds are high that your days will be filled with sunshine at this colorful escape in Las Cruces, New Mexico, a town that averages 294 sunny days per year. Mountain and desert vistas, comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, and a newly renovated kitchen are standouts at this stay. Located just 45 minutes away from the national park in a quiet neighborhood, this rental is perfect for that annual group getaway you’ve been trying to plan. Bring your friends or the whole family and have a barbecue as you see the sun slip behind the Organ Mountains. Kids will enjoy the proximity to pickle ball and basketball courts, along with a new park.
The desert dome
Distance from park: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths
Top amenities: Skylight, spiral staircase, desert and mountain views, pets welcome
Nearby attractions: Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso Tin Mines, Pershing House, Hueco Tanks State Park, Casa de Azucar, Stargazing
Immerse yourself in the depths of the desert at this funky, dome-shaped home just over an hour away from White Sands National Park. Continue to feed your desert fix after you leave the national park as you wander up the spiral staircase to watch the blazing sunset dip below the desert from the loft. If you’re lucky, at certain times of year, you may catch a glimpse of a falling tracer missile from White Sands Missile range. Sunny yellows and radiant turquoises coat the walls at this otherworldly stay.
Artistic adobe escape
Distance from park: 1 hour
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Cactus garden, courtyard, covered parking, bidet, mosaic tile decor
Nearby attractions: Old Mesilla Plaza, NMSU Chile Pepper Institute, D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro, New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Space Murals Museum and Gift Shop
Down a tiled path through a cacti garden sits a cheery adobe art gallery turned desert getaway. Located in Las Cruces’ historic Old Mesilla, this home offers easy access to a quaint western town. Inside and outside of the rental, mosaics dazzle from the floors to the doors and walls. Choose between openness and privacy when you pick which memory foam mattress to rest your head on for the night: The master bedroom is tucked behind a wooden door, while the other king sized bedroom connects to the rest of the home. A carved out nook in the dining room holds a third resting place, perfect for a post-meal nap.
Oöna geo dome at El Mistico Ranch
Distance from park: 1.5 hours
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Mountain views, board games, hammocks, rain shower, record player
Nearby attractions: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Noisy Water Winery, Spencer Theater, Enchanted Vine by Noisy Water Winery, Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area
Unplug and embrace sweet solitude amongst the junipers and pinon pines at this ethereal geodesic dome on El Mistico Ranch. This glamping ranch features 30 acres of natural high desert land and is located 1.5 hours away from White Sands in Nogal, NM, nearby to a variety of dining, arts, golfing, and skiing opportunities. Let yourself be held in the palms of hand-shaped chairs, your feet propped upon a tree-stump table, as you absorb the spectacle of Nogal Peak backdropped by a colorful sunset. Or, take it all in from the couch or bed behind the triangular glass paneling of your dome as you spin a record on your Crosley player. The groovy property will keep your curiosity buzzing for hours: the mushroom sculpture forest shines under the piercing stars, the outdoor couch beckons by the fireplace, and quirky faces tacked onto trees oversee the birdhouses.
Freya geo dome at El Mistico Ranch
Distance from park: 1.5 hours
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Swings, fluffy rugs and blankets, dart board, blackout shades
Nearby attractions: Nogal Peak, Ski Apache, Ruidoso Downs Race Track, Flying J Ranch, Valley of Fire National Recreation Area, Three Rivers Petroglyph Site
Walk down a short forest path and over a suspension bridge at this multi-story geodome. Another one of the five rentals at spectacular El Mistico, this property offers a stay for those who want to fully immerse themselves in nature. Faux-furs, shag rugs, antlers, and both a roaring bear head and mountain lion head accent the interior of the dome. Flip through eclectic books as you relax in a hammock or egg chair, play darts outdoors, or dance to a record during your stay. Expect the unexpected here: UFO sightings have been reported in the area and animals including bears and bunnies roam the grounds. Intricate wood carvings decorate the outside area. This mystical stay, influenced by Norse mythology, welcomes adults only.
Cozy El Paso tiny home
Distance from park: 1.5 hours
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: JBL sound system with Bluetooth and aux, picnic table, tennis courts
Nearby attractions: McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater, Lucchese Bootmaker, El Paso Street Art, Vyable Coffee, CoCol: Coffee, Chamizal National Memorial
Try a taste of tiny home living at this farmhouse-style, fun-sized escape 1.5 hours away from the dunes in El Paso, Texas. String lights lead you past a picnic table and fire pit to the front door. White-washed wood walls line the interior of the small yet strategically and comfortably complete space for a minimalist weekend away. High ceilings give way to a cozy sleeping loft that overlooks a leather couch draped with blankets, a stocked kitchen, and barstool seating. Turn on the JBL speaker and have a game night consisting of Catan and Code Names, or hit the tennis courts to wind down after you shower off your day playing in the sand.
