November · NM

White Sands National Park in November.

By Nicholas Major · Last updated

White Sands National Park in November is a good choice for cooler dune outings, with cold mornings and evenings. The station averages a high of 67°F (19°C) and a low of 29°F (-1°C). Plan around Thanksgiving Day, which NPS lists as a regular park closure.

These normals come from NOAA's White Sands Natl Mon station. They are air temperatures, not dune-surface temperatures or a forecast of wind, visibility or road access.

In short

November averages 51,103 recreation visits, 52% of March's peak. That does not establish how busy the days around Thanksgiving will be. Check the hours for your actual date.

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Choose a suitable dune for sledding

If sledding is part of your plan, you can bring your own sled. NPS advises choosing a gentle slope with a level run-off, clear of roads, parking areas, plants and other obstacles. Check official access and restrictions before choosing a spot.

Follow the full NPS sledding guidance: avoid head-first descents and standing on the sled, and supervise children. The area around Interdune Boardwalk is off limits to sledding. Confirm any equipment purchase or rental directly rather than making availability essential to your outing.

Leave room for holiday hours and changing weather

NPS lists Thanksgiving Day as a regular closure, with operating hours varying through the year. Check the date-specific hours and missile-test closure information before leaving, especially if White Sands is one stop on a holiday road trip.

Bring a warm layer for the 29°F (-1°C) normal low, even if you expect a mild afternoon. Check the wind forecast before choosing your day; blowing sand can impair visibility. If wind makes the outing unsuitable, change the plan rather than relying on November's average temperatures.

Questions about November

Is White Sands National Park open on Thanksgiving?

NPS lists Thanksgiving Day as a regular park closure. Check official hours for the surrounding dates and any missile-test closures before traveling. Monthly visit counts cannot predict holiday-week crowds.

What should I wear at White Sands in November?

Bring layers for a normal high of 67°F (19°C) and low of 29°F (-1°C). Those station air temperatures describe the month, not your forecast. Check the expected wind and temperature before deciding how long to spend outside.

Sources and limits

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals: WHITE SANDS NATL MON, NM US (USC00299686), 4,006 feet. Normal high: 66.6°F (19.2°C); normal low: 29.4°F (-1.4°C). These are long-term averages, not a forecast.

NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025: 2021–2025 average recreation visits for White Sands National Park (WHSA). The November 2025 count is 46,486. Counts measure visits, not unique people or a day's parking pressure.

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Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Data comes from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025; editorial analysis is ours. The NPS Arrowhead and other NPS marks are not used.

Last updated · 2026-10-15