White Sands National Park centers on a landscape of gypsum. The park lies in Otero and Doña Ana Counties in New Mexico and preserves a significant part of the world's largest gypsum dune field. The dunes can be explored along five designated trails; sledding on the soft sand is also a popular activity for children and adults. The trails and sand sledding offer different ways to experience the dune landscape.
Public Access at McGregor Range
There are specific access requirements for McGregor Range in Otero County: public access is permitted only with a Recreational Access Permit from the Fort Bliss Training Complex. The area may be closed to the public during military exercises. If you plan to visit McGregor Range, check the permit requirement and possible closures in advance.
Water Pools and Ranch History
In Dog Canyon at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, water pools can be found beneath the cottonwood trees. The 0.5-mile Riparian Nature Trail leads to small water pools at the mouth of Dog Canyon. Discoveries around this park therefore include both the vegetation in the canyon and a clearly defined trail route.
The park's history is also tangible: the ranch house at Oliver Lee's Dog Canyon Ranch in Oliver Lee Memorial State Park was completely rebuilt from ruins. It is currently closed for renovations.
Trails and Seasonal Winter Activities
The Sacramento District of Lincoln National Forest lies in Otero and Chaves Counties. The Sacramento Ranger District offers recreational opportunities on 169 miles of designated motorized trails. For travelers interested in motorized activities, this specific trail distance is a useful point of reference.
Ski Cloudcroft is in the Sacramento Ranger District. Seasonal offerings include skiing, snowboarding and tubing. The 2025/26 season ended on March 7, 2026, so the timing is important if you include these winter activities in your plans.
Regional History and Nature Education
In the host community of Alamogordo, the Tularosa Basin Historical Society & Museum preserves and shares the diverse history of the Tularosa Basin through archival preservation, educational offerings and public programs. The collection includes more than 10,000 historical photographs, regional newspapers dating back to the late 19th century, records of pioneer families and documents from the basin's early development years. The collection thus spans everything from photographs and press materials to family records and early documents on the region's development.
The Alameda Park Zoo in Alamogordo offers educational activities that connect visitors of all ages with animals and nature. It was established in 1898 at its present location as a deer park. Its history therefore begins with a clear historical milestone; today, its program includes educational activities about animals and nature.
Space History at the Museum
Most visits to the New Mexico Museum of Space History are self-guided. Museum staff also frequently offer impromptu tours and additional information about the exhibits. The visit is therefore primarily self-guided, but can be supplemented with additional explanations.
The International Space Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to honor the achievements of people who have advanced our knowledge of the universe and our ability to explore space. This mission brings together two perspectives: new discoveries about the universe and the ability to explore space.
Discover more destinations: Weed, Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Timberon, Curry, Socorro, Grant County, Bernalillo.
For the main travel overview: New Mexico.
