The Interdune Boardwalk in White Sands National Park is an easy, informational hike above the sand dunes.
Interdune Boardwalk Trail is the easiest and most accessible trail within the entire park.
The area surrounding the boardwalk is “reserved for nature study” so this is one of the few areas in the park that foot traffic is not allowed off of the trail. This means no walking in the area, and more importantly, no sledding on these dunes.
Interdune Boardwalk Trail Basics
15 – 20 Minutes
0.4 Miles Round Trip
Out-And-Back
0 Feet
Duration: Under 30 Minutes
The length of time you take will depend on how often you stop at the informational signs along the way. Take a leisurely stroll down the boardwalk and watch for lizards, enjoy the wildflowers, and listen for birds if there aren’t too many people.
Distance: 0.4 Miles Roundtrip
The trail is less than ½ mile in total on a boardwalk the entire way.
Type: Out-and-Back Trail
Interdune Boardwalk Trail walks out on the winding boardwalk to a point in the dunes. Once you reach the end, you will have to turn around and walk back the way you came.
Elevation Change: None
There is not an elevation change on this trail.
Season: Any
The trail is open year-round and is a beautiful view any time of the year. Keep in mind it is in the desert, so the area sees extreme temperatures including cold in the winter and very hot in the summer.
Time of Day: Daytime
Really, the trail could be walked any time of the day, but the park is only open from sunrise to sunset unless you are doing one of their ranger-guided sunset or moonlight hikes.
Amount of Shade: Minimal
A majority of the boardwalk is not covered. About halfway there’s a covered area with benches to the side of the trail that you can stop at. This is the only shade in most of the park.
Difficulty: Easy
Since this is a short boardwalk, the trail is very easy.
What Makes Interdune Boardwalk Trail a Great Hike?
The Interdune Boardwalk is an easy trail that is less than half-of-a-mile round trip. About halfway, there is a canopy with benches as one of the only places in the park that offers shade.
Since this is a boardwalk, it’s accessible for almost anyone to navigate and takes you out further into the dunes than someone otherwise unable would be able to get.
Scenery on the Interdune Boardwalk Trail
Start of the Trail
When you start the trail, you will be between two dunes.
On the Trail
As you continue on the short trail, the dunes will start to open up around you. There is a lot of desert vegetation along the dunes.
End of the Trail
The trail ends at an overlook that goes past the sand dunes. It gives you a glimpse of the large gypsum sand dunes.
Notable Places on the Hike
About halfway, stop under the canopy for a moment of shade and to read about the science of the White Sand dunes.
Interdune Boardwalk Trailhead Information
Park Name: White Sands National Park
The Interdune Boardwalk Trail can be found in White Sands National Park in Southern New Mexico.
Finding the Trailhead
After passing the entrance station, the parking area and trailhead is the first large parking lot on the right side of the road. If you get to the end of the paved part of Dunes Drive then you’ve gone too far.
Markers Along the Trail
There are no markers for the trail since it’s a boardwalk with only one way to go.
Nearest Restrooms
There are two vault toilets at the trailhead parking area.
Parking Area
You’ll find the parking area for the trail off of Dunes Drive, about 4.5 miles from the Visitor Center and Entrance Booth.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
None. Each of the trails at White Sands National Park have their own parking area.
Tips for Interdune Boardwalk Trail
- Even though it’s a short trail, bring water with you and make sure you wear sunscreen. It gets hot out in the sun in the desert. And the white gypsum sand will reflect the sunlight, causing sunburn faster than usual.
- The Interdune Area is NOT an area for sledding or leaving the trail. Throughout most of the park you can sled or hike, but visitors have been cited by the National Park Service for illegally leaving the boardwalk here.
- Pets are allowed on the trail, with restrictions. They must be on a leash at all times and this is one of the only places in the park that allows pets.
Accessibility Information for Interdune Boardwalk Trail
Boardwalk
Unpaved
Trail Type: Boardwalk
As it’s named, this is a boardwalk trail. The boardwalk is very well maintained and accessible for those with mobility issues using wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and strollers.
Parking: Dirt Road
The trail starts in an unpaved parking lot that has been very well compressed. Even though it isn’t paved, those with wheelchairs shouldn’t have a problem navigating the parking area.
There are a few handicap parking spaces right next to the start of the boardwalk.