Free Entry at White Sands: Oct. 27 and Nov. 11, 2026

White Sands National Park is free to enter on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, for Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, and on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for Veterans Day. On those days the National Park Service waives the entrance fee for U.S. residents, which normally runs $25 per private vehicle. They are the last two fee-free days of 2026, so if you have been meaning to show visiting family the dunes, this is a good excuse.

When are the free days at White Sands this fall?

Here are the two remaining fee-free dates this year, with the approximate closing time each day. The park gates open at 7 a.m. and close 30 minutes after local sunset, which the park says is 8 minutes earlier than Alamogordo's predicted sunset.

The White Sands Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours and closing times come from the park's operating hours page, and the closing times above are my own math from that rule and the predicted sunset.

Who gets in free?

Starting in 2026, fee-free access applies to U.S. residents, according to the National Park Service announcement of the 2026 fee-free dates. International visitors can buy an annual pass ahead of time on Recreation.gov.

Only the entrance fee is waived. Other fees, such as reservations or special use permits, still apply.

What does White Sands normally cost?

If you cannot make either date, here is what entry costs the rest of the year, from the park's fees and passes page. A standard entrance pass is good for seven days in a row.

Tip for Holloman families: the free military pass covers White Sands and other federal sites all year, so it is worth picking one up.

Can the park close on a free day?

Yes. Because White Sands sits next to White Sands Missile Range, the road into the park can close for up to three hours during missile testing, and U.S. Highway 70 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces closes then too. The park suggests checking its closure page the day before you go.

During winter the park can also close unexpectedly for unsafe roads or weather. It closes all day on Thanksgiving, November 26, and on Christmas Day.

What should you do on a free day at White Sands?

Go late in the afternoon if you can. The light on the dunes before sunset is beautiful, and a short walk off the parking areas gets you into soft, rolling sand. Bring water, sunglasses and a jacket, since it cools off fast once the sun goes down.

If Veterans Day is your pick, you can pair the dunes with one of the ceremonies in my Veterans Day in Alamogordo guide. And if you want to go back after dark, the park's November moonlight hike is a magical way to see the dunes.

What does this mean if you are moving here?

Having a national park about 15 miles down the road is one of the best parts of living in Alamogordo. Many locals buy the $45 annual pass and go for sunset walks all year. If you are thinking about a move, my Holloman AFB relocation page and moving to Alamogordo guide are good places to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dates, fees and hours are from the National Park Service and White Sands National Park websites, checked 24 October 2026. Sunset times are from sunrise-sunset.org, and missile tests or weather can close the park, so check before you go.