White Sands · May · New Mexico

White Sands National Park in May

May is a good month to visit White Sands National Park. Crowds are moderate. Highs average 83°F and lows 58°F, with about 0.43 inches of rain.

May gets a good rating at White Sands. The very best months are Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.

Full park guideAll parks in May
RatingGood
CrowdsModerate
Avg high / low83°F / 58°F
Rain0.43 in

What to expect

May is good at White Sands. Pleasant, but often very windy, with blowing sand.

Local tip

Waxed plastic snow saucers work best for sledding. Pick a steep dune face without vegetation at the bottom.

Good to know

  • Best months overall: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
  • Closest airport: El Paso (ELP), about 1.5 hours.
  • Before you go: Missile tests on the neighboring range can close Dunes Drive and US-70 for a few hours; check the park's closure schedule. Check current conditions on nps.gov.

2-day White Sands itinerary · Packing list

Questions

Is May a good time to visit White Sands National Park?

May is a good month to visit White Sands National Park. Crowds are moderate. Highs average 83°F and lows 58°F, with about 0.43 inches of rain.

What is the weather like in White Sands National Park in May?

Highs average 83°F and lows 58°F, with about 0.43 inches of rain. May is rated good for visiting.

How crowded is White Sands National Park in May?

Crowds are moderate in May.