How to Elope in White Sands National Park
A Perfect Wedding Spot for the Adventurous Couple
White Sands National Park is—in one word—otherworldly. Powdery white sand sweeps throughout this desert, creating a dramatic landscape of dunes and valleys. The noon-day sun illuminates the landscape like snow—an illusion aided by sliding down the dunes in sleds. At dusk, the desert sky casts its color show: pink and orange clouds against a blue and purple expanse. The park is all the more alien when the Moon hits the horizon.
Not only is the landscape captivating, but it also allows couples to pop in wedding photography. Winds pick up dresses and long hair, colored suits and flowers provide a nice juxtaposition to the white sands—the whole scene is beautiful and makes for a perfect elopement location for adventurous couples.
White Sands is one of the smallest and newest national parks in the United States. Located in New Mexico, this is an incredible spot for adventurous couples who want an outdoor wedding or elopement. But how do you get married in White Sands National Park? Luckily, we have a guide to help you out.
Something Important to Know About White Sands Elopements
I know this sounds weird, but White Sands National Park is near a military base. In fact, the park is located within the White Sands Missile Range. Crazy, huh?
Why is this important? Well, the park can be shut down for missile testing. NPS recommends calling two weeks prior to your wedding day—as well as the day before and the day of—to ensure there is no missile testing happening.
All of this is to say, you might need to be flexible regarding your wedding plans. As your photographer, I won’t leave you hanging. I’m more than happy to work with you regarding weather, missile testing, and anything else this wild world can throw at you.
What Permits Do You Need for White Sands National Park?
When it comes to national park elopements, the first thing to do is get a permit.
You can elope almost anywhere in the park, but you also have the option of renting the more private group-use area. If you don’t want to book the private area, you can elope in the public areas of the park. Just know that other people will be wandering around. Not to worry—most people will be excited from afar.
Either way, you can apply for your wedding in White Sands on the NPS website. This application process is fairly easy:
Complete special use permit online. Be as detailed as possible, including guest count, decor, music, location, and more.
Read and sign General Permit Conditions
Pay the non-refundable reservation fee
Note that wedding permit requests may be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 30 days in advance of your requested date.
PRO TIP: No alcohol can be served in the park between the dates of February 1 and May 31. A little weird, but that’s the rule.
How to Get Legally Married in White Sands National Park
Think about what you need for your White Sands wedding day. You’ll need you and your fiancé, of course. And you’ll need a wedding photographer to capture your special day. Better yet, an elopement photographer will help you navigate poses, locations to shoot, permits, and even help you find other vendors.
To make your wedding legal, you’ll need an ordained officiant. This the the person who will conduct the ceremony and complete the paperwork necessary for legal weddings. Remember to request a marriage certificate from the county clerk recorder’s office ahead of your wedding day. This must be done in the community in which you are getting married; in this case, Otero County or Doña Ana County. Bring this paperwork to the ceremony for the officiant (and 2 witnesses) to sign.
Best Time to Get Married in White Sands National Park
White Sands is located in southern New Mexico. Since it’s a desert area, you can probably guess what the seasons will be like. But here’s a quick look all the same:
Spring: Mild weather and wildflower blooms make this season an absolute banger! But it can also invite crowds. This usually isn’t too much of an issue, but something to be aware of all the same.
Summer: It should come as no surprise that the summer season is hot, hot, hot—with afternoon temperatures sometimes exceeding 100°F (38°C). If you want to brave White Sands during the summer, make sure your wedding is in the early morning or late evening.
Autumn: Fall is another pleasant time to visit, with milder temperatures than summer. The park may be less crowded this season, making it a more peaceful experience for your elopement. There’s no fall color here, but the contrast between the gypsum sands and the blue sky is striking.
Winter: Daytime temperatures range from mild to cool, perfect for wedding ceremonies. It’s also a quieter time in terms of visitor numbers, providing a serene experience.
Note that these are just general tips. Weather can change and impact the day. Which is why it’s smart always to be prepared for the unexpected. The desert is often windy. And when you’re standing on sand dunes, dust can whip up in an instant. Wear layers to adjust for temperature changes and to protect your skin from the sun (and its reflection off the sand). Bring plenty of water and electrolytes to keep your body healthy and happy during your wedding adventure in this national park.
Where to Stay in White Sands National Park
White Sands is remote! The nearest towns are Alamogordo and Las Cruces, although Lincoln National Forest, which is a 40-60 minute drive depending on location, also has some great Airbnbs.
Here are some of our favorite South New Mexico Airbnbs and rentals. Just don’t forget to check the temperatures as some of these are at higher elevations.
Lincoln National Forest
Las Cruces
Alamogordo
More outdoorsy couples might consider camping in the park or nearby. It’s a super cute way to spend your wedding and ensures less driving in and out of the area.
Getting to and Getting Around White Sands National Park
White Sands is a remote location. Half the fun of getting there is the drive. Rent a car, download that road trip mix, and get to driving!
El Paso International Airport: 1.5-hour drive
Albuquerque International Sunport: 3.5-hour drive
↑ pssst! click on each image to see more! ↑
Wedding Location Options Outside of the Park
Due to the white gypsum-colored dunes, nothing looks like White Sands National Park—it’s a true gem of a location. But there’s no shortage of amazing places to elope in New Mexico or Sand Dunes around the US.
New Mexico
Balloon Fiesta for amazing colors
Jemez Pueblo for red rocks
Sandia Mountains for mountain views
Abiquiu for deserts and lavender fields
The random slot canyons of New Mexico
Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO: An epic national park in Colorado.
Death Valley National Park, CA: This park hosts tons of sand dunes of various accessibilities, as well as salt flats, colorful hills, and off-roading.
Pismo Beach Sand Dunes & Recreation Area, CA: A popular camping and off-roading area on the Central Coast.
Mojave National Preserve, CA: In addition to epic sand dunes, you’ll find Joshua Trees, boulders, lava tubes, and more!
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, UT: Yes, the sand is actually pink!
None of these fit your vibe? Reach out and we can discuss locations further!
Wedding Day Activities in White Sands National Park
This national park has so much to offer couples on their wedding day. Whether you like the idea of a relaxing, low-key ceremony and reception or an adventure wedding packed with activities, White Sands National Park has something to offer you.
Ceremony on the Dunes: Exchange vows surrounded by the stunning white gypsum dunes. Choose a location that offers a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony, and take advantage of the natural beauty of the landscape.
Photography Session: Take advantage of this otherworldly landscape for your wedding photos. The soft, white sands and the clear blue sky create a dreamy and romantic setting.
Sunset Appreciation: My time in the park featured some truly amazing sunsets. Stand in awe of the multicolored sky as the sun sets over white dunes.
Dunes Drive: Take a leisurely drive or walk along Dunes Drive or the Interdune Boardwalk for a unique perspective of the park.
Stargazing: There’s nothing quite as magical as the night-time desert sky. Better still, White Sands is designated as an International Dark Sky Park. Grab your spouse and look into the big, beautiful sky filled with stars.
Picnic Reception: Whether you’re having a two-person elopement or a reception with friends and family, White Sands has lots of areas for picnics. Bring along some good eats, your wedding cakes, and some cold beverages to celebrate your marriage. Just don’t forget to bring colorful dishware, as white will blend into the white sand.
Sand Sledding: White Sands is super unique. You can sled down the dunes, build sand castles, make sand angels, and generally just have a good time. It’s like a snow day without the snow or a beach day without the surf. But in any case, it’s a lovely place.
Horseback riding: You can ride horses in the park! You’ll need an extra permit and there are some limits to where you can go.
Protect White Sands and Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a set of common sense guidelines that keep outdoor areas accessible for humans and healthy for plants and animals. Some of these guidelines include:
Planning and preparing.
Disposing of waste properly.
Leaving alone the plants, animals, rocks, and anything else you find.
Minimizing the impacts of campfires.
Respecting wildlife, plants, and the natural environment.
Be considerate of other visitors.
These are all great tips. But LNT is just the baseline. Each national park, state park, or outdoor area also has its own restrictions you need to abide by.
For events, WSNP recommends some specifics to ensure the protection of the park and the reduction of trash. For example, prohibited items in the park include:
Living plants, live flowers, or plant material
Balloons
Rice, birdseed, confetti, live flower petals
Glass bottles such as wine and beer bottles
Open fires
White tableware (it blends in with the white sand!)
These rules are all about making sure your wedding day is sustainable.
The Best Advice and Creative Ideas for White Sands Elopements
Elope on a weekday or at sunrise to avoid the crowds. The locals come here to have picnics and large parties.
Great for flexible and spontaneous couples.
The white sand makes a beautiful backdrop for colorful dresses.
Come prepared for the wind! The desert is always windy.
Bring a large tent or RV as a bridal suit.
White Sands is remote, which means it’s best for DIY weddings, adventurous couples, or minimalist ceremonies.
Book Your White Sands National Park Elopement Photographer
Want a wedding and elopement photographer who loves to make you look good? Celebrate your commitment to this stunning national park. I’ll capture the whole day through my lens so that you can focus on the fun aspects of your wedding day.
Book Love and Latitudes Outdoor Wedding and Elopement Photography today!
White Sands National Park Elopement Packages
+ 4-8+ hours of coverage
+ Planning and vendor services
+ Location assistance
+ Online gallery with high-resolution photos
+ Option to download images or purchase prints online
+ Travel fees included, minus permits
+ Optional officiant services.
Meet Your New Mexico Photographer
I'm Diana Lustig, a California-born adventurer with a camera for a hand and an inborn love for the outdoors. I'm a professional photographer of 15 years and counting. In my free time, you'll find me traveling with my husband in our van, Clyde. In fact, we’ve driven to New Mexico a few times to see all the Land of Enchantment has to offer.
How did I get into wedding and elopement photography? In 2019, I hired adventure photographers for my wedding and they showed me there’s a different, more personal way to get married. It was such a special day, I want to bring it to so many more couples who believe in getting married their own way. Not to mention, we got married in Joshua Tree!
