Santa Fe to White Sands Road Trip: New Mexico’s Natural Beauty
The Camping Kiddos find the perfect sledding spot in White Sands National Park.
A road trip from Santa Fe to White Sands National Monument is perfect for a family vacation as it showcases the incredible natural beauty of New Mexico, and it can be done in a week or two.
This 267-mile journey takes you through the heart of the state, showcasing a diverse range of natural wonders and cultural attractions.
From the historic sites of Santa Fe to the otherworldly dunes of White Sands, there’s something for everyone on this road trip!
My family and I built an entire, month-long summer road trip around the best of New Mexico, and visiting New Mexico’s national parks and the U.S.’s oldest state capital were high on our sightseeing list.
Below, you’ll find a full itinerary for the perfect Santa Fe to White Sands road trip, as well as suggested campgrounds, hotels, sightseeing stops, and daily activities.
I hope you enjoy exploring the heart of New Mexico as much as we did!
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How to Prepare for a Santa Fe to White Sands Road Trip
Determine where you’ll fly into and out of.
This itinerary is set up assuming that you’ll fly into Santa Fe and leave from Alamogordo.
However, you can always drive back to Santa Fe at the end, if necessary.
Alternatively, you could fly into Albuquerque, rent a car, and then start your touring by driving the hour to Santa Fe, where you’ll pick up this itinerary.
Albuquerque is the largest airport in the state, so it will have the best deals.
You’ll need to weigh convenience against your budget when making those decisions.
Book your rental car ahead of time and save!
Map out your gas stations.
PIN ME!
Before you embark on this trip through the Land of Enchantment, it’s important to note that parts of New Mexico are very rural.
These wide open spaces are part of the appeal, but they do require a bit of preparation.
For example, we traveled one gorgeous stretch of backroad where we didn’t see a gas station for nearly 100 miles.
This was particularly stressful as we were pulling our travel trailer, which causes us to only get about 10 miles to the gallon.
If you’re renting a car, you will be able to go further between fill-ups than if you’re traveling with an RV.
Still, be aware of your gas tank capacity and fill up way before you’re empty.
If you run out of gas, you could be waiting a while on some of those beautiful—but lonely—roads!
Consider an RV road trip.
This road trip is an amazing one to do with an RV, travel trailer, pop-up or by tent camping.
(For pros and cons of travel trailers vs. pop-ups, I’ve got an entire guide!)
New Mexico has some amazing campgrounds which allow you to get right into the beauty of these places.
Plus, the majority of it is fairly flat—the climb up to Ruidoso is one of the few exceptions. We didn’t encounter anything that even remotely stressed our half-ton truck and 3500 pound travel trailer.
If you don’t have an RV, you can rent one through Cruise America, Outdoorsy, or RVShare.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, to White Sands National Park Road Trip Itinerary
Total distance covered on this trip: 397 miles
Recommended length of time to complete: 7-8 days
After doing this road trip, I have come to the conclusion that New Mexico in general is criminally underrated!
I hear about how incredible Arizona, Colorado, and Utah are constantly, but New Mexico needs to be right up there in that conversation.
We love road trips out west (like this road trip from Denver to the Grand Canyon), and our adventures through New Mexico didn’t disappoint.
In the suggested itinerary, you’ll be exposed to a great mix of city and country, rolling hills and high desert.
While you won’t see everything that New Mexico has to offer, you’ll definitely come away with the high points—and a desire to come back to explore even more.
Day 1: Historic Santa Fe
Miles to drive today: 0
Recommended Santa Fe hotel: Loretto Inn & Spa
Recommended Santa Fe campground: Santa Fe KOA Journey
In downtown Santa Fe
Our road trip begins in Santa Fe, one the oldest cities in the United States.
Did you know that Santa Fe was established in 1607, the same year that the English colony of Jamestown was settled?
Unlike Jamestown, Santa Fe has thrived since its first days, and it is now a hub of art and culture in the Southwest.
You cannot visit Santa Fe without spending some time exploring the historic downtown area before starting the road trip in earnest.
Parking Downtown
Downtown Santa Fe is walkable, so park in one of the many public parking lots and explore the city on foot. I recommend the convenient municipal lot at 100 E Water Street, which is in the heart of downtown.
NOTE: this parking lot is unmanned but checked by attendants. You can pay by app or at one of the kiosks onsite. Parking is $2 per hour.
Just across the street from the Water Street lot is the excellent—if tiny—Café Pasqual. You’ll smell it before you see it, so save up an appetite for their tacos, guacamole, and breakfast burritos.
The town still has an authentic Spanish feel to it, thanks to the conquistadors who founded the location.
Historic Churches
You’ll see many glimpses of this heritage from the traditional Pueblo architecture and the Pueblo Revival architecture of the 1920s to the Catholic churches throughout downtown.
Spanish missionaries helped found the oldest church in America on the Old Santa Fe Trail, while Catholic nuns in the 1800s were amazed by the mysterious carpenter who built the magnificent stairs inside the Loretto Chapel.
The outside patios at the Plaza Cafe in downtown Santa Fe
Don’t forget to peek inside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, where much of the art is done is the New Mexico Mission Style.
There’s a small collection of relics in the small side chapel, including some bone fragments of St. Francis of Assisi, if you’re interested in that kind of thing.
After exploring the religious roots of the city, I’d suggest heading across the famed Santa Fe Plaza to grab some lunch.
Where to Eat
If the weather’s nice—and it usually is, as the city sees 300 days of sun each year—head to the iconic Plaza Cafe.
Inside is decorated like a 1950s diner, but the real star of the restaurant are the 2 patios overlooking the square.
Grab seats here and tuck into their all day breakfast or delicious crunchy fish tacos.
My son with an antique stagecoach in the New Mexico History Museum
History and Art
After lunch, head into the nearby New Mexico History Museum to learn about the state’s many cultural influences and eras. You’ll also be able to go into the Governor’s Palace, which is being renovated.
End the day by picking up a souvenir from one of the Native American vendors under the awning of the Governor’s Palace, and then meander through the city on foot.
If you have time, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is nearby (and is excellent), but you’ll need advanced reservations to enter.
Meow Wolf Santa Fe
My last recommendation for Santa Fe is outside of the historic center, but is well worth the 15 minute drive.
Meow Wolf Santa Fe is difficult to describe, but impossible to forget.
It’s an interactive art exhibit where visitors get to explore over 70 decorated room as they discover what happened to a time-traveling family. (Hint: there’s some inter-dimensional multi-verse stuff happening, and it’s probably in the washer.)
NOTE: If you want to expand this road trip more, you could easily add on another day in Santa Fe for just Meow Wolf.
We spent over 3 hours there, but could’ve stayed longer!
Finish your first day relaxing at your campsite at the Santa Fe KOA, one of the best New Mexico campgrounds.
Day 2: Outdoor Santa Fe
Miles to drive today: 60-80 miles, round trip (depending on chosen destination)
Recommended Santa Fe hotel: Loretto Inn & Spa
Recommended Santa Fe campground: Santa Fe KOA Journey
One of many cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument
If you’re looking for outdoor scenery (and you probably are if you’re reading this website), you’ll want to spend some time explore Santa Fe’s hiking trails and parks.
Santa Fe National Forest
A great option for a day out is the Santa Fe National Forest, which offers a range of hiking trails across 5 districts and 1.6 million acres.
I’d recommend a hike in the Pecos district, which is the closest to downtown Santa Fe. It’s located east of Santa Fe, between the city and Las Vegas, NM.
NOTE: this area of the national forest was burned in a 2022 wildfire, which means that some of the trailheads are difficult to find.
Stop by the Pecos District ranger station for recommendations on hiking and trail openings.
Skiing and Hot Springs
Other options in the area include skiing at Ski Santa Fe or soaking in the natural hot springs at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa.
Bandelier National Monument
Another option would be to head about 45 minutes north of Santa Fe to explore the incredible Bandelier National Monument.
Here, you can explore thousands of years of Native American history by hiking and climbing around and into the cliff dwellings.
Day 3: Albuquerque
Miles to drive today: 64 miles via I-64
Recommended Albuquerque hotel: Hotel Chaco in Old Town
Recommended Albuquerque campground: Albuquerque KOA Journey
On day 3, head south to Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city.
Along the way, stop at the Santo Domingo Pueblo, one of the state’s historic Native American communities, where you can shop for traditional pottery and crafts made by local artisans.
You might also see this area referred to as Kewa Pueblo, as that is the original native name.
In Albuquerque, take a stroll through Old Town, which offers stunning examples of adobe architecture and a range of shops and galleries featuring local art.
I’d recommend taking this family tour of Old Town, which will help your kids learn about the unique history and traditions.
The Sandia Peak Tramway
You can also ride the Sandia Peak Tramway for panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains or visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to learn about the state’s diverse indigenous cultures.
Or, if you’re like me, you can cruise around town looking for the filming locations of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul!
Day 4: Rio Grande Valley
Miles to drive today: 20-40 miles, round trip (depending on destination)
Recommended Albuquerque hotel: Hotel Chaco in Old Town
Recommended Albuquerque campground: Albuquerque KOA Journey
After exploring Albuquerque, head west to the Rio Grande Valley, where you can hike, bike, or horseback ride through stunning natural beauty.
These outdoor adventures are close enough to Albuquerque that you can use the city as your base. However, you’ll feel like you’re a world away once you’re visiting.
Petroglyph National Monument
Start at the Petroglyph National Monument, which features over 20,000 prehistoric rock carvings.
The visitors center has maps and information on the best trails within Petroglyph National Monument, and it’s also where your kids will be able to grab their Junior Ranger booklets.
Then, tackle one or two of the trails to see the ancient petroglyphs.
Our favorites for kids are located in the Boca Negra section, as these trails are all paved and accessible to potable water.
The three trails in Boca Negra allow visitors to see more than 100 carvings just a few minutes from the parking area.
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
If you have more time, the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is a great add-on, which offers birdwatching and hiking trails through wetlands and cottonwood forests.
The trails range from a 0.25 mile gravel trail (Pond Loop) to a 2 mile dirt trail (Bosque Loop).
You’ll see a wide variety of animals, including coyotes, bats, and American kestrels.
Day 5: Roswell
Miles to drive today: 201 miles via I-40 and Highway 285
Recommended Roswell hotel: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Roswell
Recommended Roswell campground: Red Barn RV Park
Roswell believes in fun (and probably aliens).
Time to hit the road again!
You’ll embark on your longest section of driving yet, as you cover just over 200 miles in 3 hours of driving today.
It might be a good day to bring out your kids’ tablets, books, and toys for the drive. Check out recommended screen times for kids here to help you plan your time.
Clines Corners
Stop at Clines Corners at the intersection of I-40 and Highway 285 to fill up on gas and browse for souvenirs.
This gas station has been in this spot since the early 1930s as it is situated on part of the original Route 66.
Once you turn onto 285 to head down to Roswell, your gas options will be very limited as you head into some beautiful but desolate areas.
Once you arrive in Roswell, it’s time to head out of this world.
Roswell, New Mexico, is known for a supposed-UFO crash that occurred on a farm outside of town in 1947.
Since then, believers have been coming to this small town to find out the real truth of what happened.
In more recent years, the Town of Roswell has leaned heavily into the alien theming, and I’m not mad about it!
You’ll see alien-themed everything: murals, welcome signs, Mexican restaurants, and even lightposts.
International UFO Museum and Research Center
Start your alien investigations at the International UFO Museum and Research Center, where you can deep dive into every aspect of the crash and its legacy.
When we went early on a Tuesday morning, there were people from at least 3 other countries there, and around 30 people in total. We couldn’t believe how busy it was on a weekday in the off-season.
So many books, so little time
Even though the museum is essentially one large room, there are many videos, audio clips, banners, displays, and timelines to explore.
My kids loved the moving displays and the interactive “alien crash” demonstration.
They also liked exploring the extensive research library, which has personal documents, kids books, complete collections of pulp fiction magazines, and more.
If you’ve ever wanted to know something about aliens, this is the place to find it.
Whether you believe or not, it is still a fun place to spend an hour or two.
Roswell UFO Spacewalk
I’d also recommend the Roswell UFO Spacewalk, which is within easy walking distance of the Museum.
The Spacewalk is campy fun. Everything is lit by black lights, and you will have lots of opportunities for photo ops with aliens, space backdrops and more.
It doesn’t have the supposed educational value of the museum, but it isn’t trying. You’re just here to have some campy fun!
Day 6: Alamogordo
Miles to drive today: 117 miles via Highways 380, 70, and 54
Recommended Alamogordo hotel: Home2Suites by Hilton Alamogordo
Recommended Alamogordo campground: Alamogordo/ White Sands KOA Journey
On the farm tour at Pistachioland in Alamogordo
As you travel from Roswell to Alamogordo, New Mexico, you’ll use Highway 380 and Highway 70, a route which quickly changes from flat farmland to rolling hills to steep pine forested mountains.
Part of this road is also the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway, which provides several turn-offs if you’re interested in Wild West history.
One of the coolest sights I’ve seen on my travels is on this stretch of the road trip!
As you descend from Ruidoso through the Sacramento Mountains, you’ll be able to see a distinct, shimmering white line in the distance.
We thought it was some low-hanging clouds at first, but it’s actually White Sands National Park.
I couldn’t believe that the sand dunes were that large—but they do cover almost 230 square miles.
On your first day in Alamogordo, I’d suggest 2 activities, both of which are on our list of the best places to visit near White Sands National Park.
McGinn’s Pistachioland
The first is McGinn’s Pistachioland, where you can learn all about pistachio farming and production.
We opted to take the tour, which lasts about an hour and cost $12 for 2 adults and 2 kids. We took the first tour of the day, so we had the guide to ourselves.
Don’t miss out on the pistachio ice cream!
James, the tour guide and family friend of the McGinn’s, has worked at the farm since the 1980s. He’s super personable and knowledgeable.
On the tour, we learned so much about pistachios. Did you know that there are male and female pistachio trees? Or that pistachios turn bright pink when they’re ready to be picked?
After our tour was over, we dug into the most delicious pistachio ice cream I’ve ever had. The farm had to go through 16 different versions before settling on this one!
Finally, head into the gift shop to sample some of the flavored pistachios. The ranch ones were my favorite, though I also loved the pistachio brittle.
New Mexico Museum of Space History
Playing dress-up at the New Mexico Museum of Space History
At the New Mexico Museum of Space History
The second activity in Alamogordo is the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
Here, you’ll learn about New Mexico’s contributions to the Space Race and beyond. The state was the site of the first atomic bomb testing at the Trinity Site, hosted a touchdown of one of the shuttles, and more.
My kids particularly loved the exhibit about Ham the monkey, who was trained to pull levers during a short space flight.
Ham lived through the experience and went on to have a good life.
He’s now buried outside the museum.
Day 7: White Sands National Park
Miles to drive today: 20 miles, round trip
Recommended Alamogordo hotel: Home2Suites by Hilton Alamogordo
Recommended Alamogordo campground: Alamogordo/ White Sands KOA Journey
The outside sign hasn’t been changed yet—it’s now a national park.
This place is otherworldly!
White Sands is one of the nation’s newest national parks, having secured its title in 2020.
You’ll still see plenty of items labeled White Sands National Monument, as the staff hasn’t gotten around to changing all of the signage yet.
Whatever the name, the rolling dunes of White Sands is magical and unforgettable.
Ready to sled!
Start in the visitors center, where you can get your kids’ free Junior Ranger booklets and watch the interpretive film.
Then, it’s time to head into the sand dunes.
You’ll go through the toll booth before driving along the 2 lane, 8 mile loop road that cuts through the park.
Pull off at one of the designated packed sand lots to walk up the dunes, or go sledding.
Check out our White Sands sledding tips and tricks for an easy, fun day outdoors.
I highly recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, and lots of sunscreen as the white dunes and bright sun practically guarantee a sunburn.
Spend a few hours exploring the dunes in different areas of the park. The dunes shift throughout the day, and the colors of the park change accordingly.
It’s the perfect way to end your enchanting New Mexico road trip!
Explore our full list of suggestions for this incredible in the one day at White Sands National Park itinerary!
Santa Fe to White Sands Road Trip FAQs
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Spring and fall are the most pleasant times, weather-wise, in New Mexico. However, they’re also the busiest, so you’ll have more people to compete against for campsites, sledding spots, and the like.
We visited in mid-May, which felt like the perfect time. That’s the shoulder season as the busy season winds down for the summer, but the weather was still wonderful. All of the attractions were open for full hours, so we didn’t miss anything by going a little later than the norm.
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If you’re going in the spring or fall, you’ll want to have both pants and shorts, and a selection of tops.
During the late spring/early summer, you can get away with shorts and t-shirts, but I’d also recommend a sweatshirt for cooler mornings. The weather will change between Santa Fe and Alamogordo: Santa Fe is much cooler year round, though desert mornings and evenings can also require a light jacket.
Don’t forget a good pair of hiking shoes and/or hiking sandals. I wore my favorite Keen Newport H2s, and they were up to all of the activities listed above.
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If you have more time than the itinerary shows, you can always add another day or two in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Both are incredible places with so much to do!
If you want another location on your road trip, I’d suggest adding Carlsbad Caverns to your trip after you leave White Sands National Park. It’s the other national park in New Mexico and it is well worth a bit more driving.
