White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns: Exploring New Mexico’s Beauty

New Mexico is known for showcasing diverse and rustic landscapes that were once home to the Ancestral Puebloan people. In the state’s national parks, you can glimpse into the land’s mesmerizing past.

Exploring White Sands National Park provides unique vantage points – you’ll spy more than 145,000 acres of glistening white gypsum dunes. Then, retreat into an unearthly landscape below ground at Carlsbad Caverns – New Mexico’s other national park.

These southern New Mexico attractions, located roughly 200 miles apart, share one important trait: they're frequently at the top of travelers' must-see lists. We’ve put together a neat itinerary to help you plan a combo road trip between treasures.

Day 1: Start at Carlsbad Caverns

727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad, NM 88220

Starting above ground, walk among the Chihuahuan Desert's flora, fauna, and wildlife while exploring canyons and primeval sea ledges. You’ll pick out some outstanding photo ops against dazzling and dramatic backgrounds.

Next, the hidden labyrinth of underground caves is ready and waiting. You’ll spend a few hours exploring the caves and exhibits on ranger-guided or self-guided tours. Exact times will vary depending on the trails you take – Big Room Trail alone takes one to two hours.

Plan to bring a light sweater or jacket for added warmth, as the average year-round temperature is only 56 degrees Fahrenheit in the caverns.

If you have time, and you’re visiting between May and late October, the Carlsbad Caverns' Bat Flight Program is a magnificent way to end the day. You’ll watch thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats scatter across the sunset skies from your perch in Bat Flight Amphitheater.

Stay in Carlsbad Overnight

You won't find campgrounds or overnight lodging in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, but the nearby town of Carlsbad has several hotels and campgrounds available. Staying in Carlsbad overnight gives you a chance to explore other local gems, including the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center, where you can learn all about the history of the region and stroll through a vast collection of Native American and southwestern art. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park is popular with families. Visit to learn about the more than 130 mammal species and countless plants that are native to the Chihuahuan Desert – from prairie dogs to 1,500 varieties of cactus.

Day 2: Hit the Road to Bottomless Lakes State Park

545A Bottomless Lakes Road, Roswell, NM 88201

No trip to southern New Mexico is complete without checking out the nine mysterious lakes that have confounded people since the days of the Wild West. To get there from Carlsbad, take U.S. Highway 285 north to Bottomless Lakes State Park, located about an hour and a half away from Carlsbad.

Named for the difficulty the early cowboys had in measuring the lakes' depth, Bottomless Lakes is no stranger to eerie local legends, ranging from mysterious disappearances to an enormous turtle that allegedly patrols the waters from below.

As visitors to this state park soon learn, the bottomless lakes aren't what they seem. They're actually sinkholes of 17 to 90 feet deep, and the brilliant bluish-green color is spectacular. Swim or scuba dive in Lea Lake, which is the deepest of all and features a sandy beach. If you prefer to stay on land, set up at one of the onlooking barbecue and picnic stations, or explore the trails to spy native birds.

Stay in Roswell

Though there are plenty of campgrounds in Bottomless Lakes State Park, you might prefer to rest your head in the nearby city of Roswell.

From Bottomless Lakes State Park, head north on Bottomless Lakes Road for about five miles and take U.S. 380 West to Roswell, about 20 minutes away.

This mysterious city was made famous by a 1947 incident involving an unidentified flying object (UFO) and has attracted plenty of attention since. Embark on a UFO tour, stroll through the International UFO Museum and Research Center, and visit the downtown historic district to soak up atmosphere by the bucketload.

Day 3: Travel to White Sands

19955 US-70, Alamogordo, NM 88310

From Roswell, head west on U.S. 70 for about three hours to reach White Sands National Monument, New Mexico – home to the world’s largest gypsum dune field. When you arrive, you may feel as though you've landed on another planet. The white gypsum crystal dunes create surreal scenes and stretch as far as the eye can see.

There’s also a visitor center, where you can drop in to learn more about the ephemeral lakes that help to create this striking landscape.

Take the eight-mile Dunes Drive to absorb the scenery, traipse along the dunes to find the perfect spots for family photos, and sled down the sands for a little extra fun. Bonus points for staying long enough to catch the sunset.

Did this get you excited for a road trip through New Mexico? You can also use our American road trip planner to find more fantastic routes, customized to your preferences.