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New Mexico
76 ft
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Why you'll love it
Dune Life Nature Trail
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No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.
<p>The Dune Life Nature Trail is a moderate, one-mile (1.6 km) self-guided loop hike. Though not difficult, this hike does require hikers to climb two steep dunes with loose sand. Follow the blue trail markers with a club symbol. Meet Katie the Kit Fox and learn about her friends on this family-oriented trail. Look for tracks of the animals that call these dunes their home. Kit foxes, badgers, birds, rodents, and reptiles all live in this area. The average completion time is one hour.<br /> <br /> <strong>Length:</strong> One mile (1.6 km) loop<br /> <strong>Trail Marker Color:</strong> Blue<br /> <span style="display: none;"> </span><strong>Trail Marker Symbol:</strong> Clubs<br /> <span style="display: none;"> </span><strong>Average Completion Time:</strong> 1 hour<br /> <strong>Difficulty:</strong> Moderate<br /> <span style="display: none;"> </span><strong>Distance from Visitor Center:</strong> 2.5 miles (4 km)<br /> <strong>Restroom:</strong> Two vault toilets at the trailhead<br /> <br /> Before setting out on foot at White Sands National Park, please view our <a href="https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/hiking-safety-tips.htm">Hiking Safety Tips.</a></p>
Playa Trail
~0 min drive
<p>The Playa Trail is an easy, 0.5 mile (800m) round-trip, level trail with outdoor exhibits along the way to help you learn and explore this trail and the characteristics that make it special. Follow the green trail markers with a heart symbol that lead to a small playa. On t…
Mule Cyn
~29 min drive
Moderate canyon hike with steady elevation gain and scenic desert views.
Goat Springs
~31 min drive
Steady 2.94-mile climb to Goat Springs with 1,584 ft elevation gain.
Dry Canyon
~38 min drive
Moderate 11.2-mile canyon hike with 1,894 ft elevation gain through high desert terrain.
A Desert Oasis Interpretive Sign
~0 min drive
<p>Water is the focus of this interpretive sign on the Playa Trail. It describes how water is trapped in the basin and helps create the dried lakebed that is highlighted on this trail.</p>
Lower San Andres
~30 min drive
Moderate desert trail in the San Andres Mountains with 868 ft elevation gain.
Upper Dry Cyn Alt
~38 min drive
Short canyon trail with steady elevation gain and scenic desert views.
"Just Add Water" Interpretive Sign
~0 min drive
<p>This interpretive sign on the Playa Trail showcases how water and the changing seasons create a hidden world that is waiting to come to life.</p>
Mineral Springs
~34 min drive
Moderate 4.2-mile trail to mineral springs with 1,091 ft elevation gain.
Road Cyn Alt
~38 min drive
Easy 2.6-mile canyon walk with minimal elevation gain.
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