I've driven past White Sands National Park multiple times on road trips from Arizona to Texas but I had never stopped in before. Boy was I missing out! This is one of the most beautiful natural places I've ever visited! I went in the evening around 7 pm and stayed until closing at 9 pm. The sunset, clouds in the sky and white dunes that stretched on for miles was absolutely stunning. I drove back into the park approximately 6 miles as the ranger recommended that it was the best area for sand dune sledding. My kids had so much fun! There is plenty of parking, shaded picnic areas, and restrooms. If you have an America the Beautiful pass you can get into the park for free. The visitor center has gifts, snacks, restrooms and a museum. On certain evenings there are free tours of the lake, sunset strolls and full moon activities. Check the website for hours because they do vary by season and whether or not it's a full moon. The sand does not stick everywhere on your body like beach sand, it's very dry, soft, and clean. Enjoy!

You will love exploring the dunes. Although you might consider it small for a national park, its uniqueness lies in its natural beauty. On the day we visited, it was fairly cloudy, but the scene was still breathtaking, with a dramatic landscape and exceptionally beautiful clouds. Walking through the dunes was a fun experience, although you may end up with a lot of sand in your shoes. However, you will certainly enjoy it because the sand is incredibly soft and smooth. It's definitely worth dedicating half a day to this adventure!

Definitely a must see. Came late evening and stayed for the sunset. The area is so peaceful and beautiful. Great place to unwind, relax, and enjoy a small piece of creation. We came with a fairly large group. Some relaxed in the sand, others played football, and yet others hiked around. Come an see for yourself... you'll be glad you did.

White Sands National Park was amazing! You can go sledding down the dunes, there's a gift shop, public restrooms, and again if you are traveling to several National parks or monuments, save some money and purchase the America the beautiful park pass online prior to going. (Purchase a few weeks ahead of time to allow time for pass to arrive) this park was a little out of the way for us, but I am so glad we did it, it was amazing to see and feel this sand. There are picnic tables you can eat at, but you'll have to bring in your own food and drink. Definitely worth visiting if you're in New Mexico.

White Sands National Park is a must-visit, but it’s important to note some key details before you go. First and foremost, there’s a $25 entrance fee for each vehicle entering the park. However, this pass can be used for up to 7 days, which makes it a reasonable deal. As you venture further into the park, the landscape becomes increasingly surreal, with vast expanses of brilliant white sand dunes stretching out before you. Don’t let the initial, more barren sections of the park discourage you; the real beauty lies deeper within. Be sure to pack sunscreen because you’ll certainly get a sun tan here. Additionally, bring your own water as there are no water stations to refill along the way. There’s a small gift shop at the park’s entrance where you can buy sleds to enjoy sand dune sledding, a popular activity here. However, I’d recommend bringing your own if you can, as things in these kinds of shops can sometimes be a bit overpriced. White Sands National Park is a fantastic place to take stunning photos and witness the unique beauty of New Mexico. The park offers several restroom facilities throughout, and you’ll find plenty of parking available in different sections of the park. It’s definitely a remarkable and photogenic destination worth visiting.

Beautiful national park. The sand stays cool and there are so many places to go sledding. Go in the morning if you can, once it gets towards the afternoons, the roads past the boardwalk get very muddy and hard to drive through. Bring a sled and wax if you can, otherwise it is $25 for the sled (you get $5 back in store credit if you return it), and the wax is about $3. The giftshop is very reasonably priced.

Thoroughly enjoyed this serene and beautiful park. There are sleds for rent for the kids or the adventurous adult that wants to slide down the pristine dunes. Me, I found a secluded dune and enjoyed the magnificent view of the mountains that I cannot find in Houston. Definitely a must visit if you are in the area. The only negative, the price of admission is pretty steep, but if you have a carload of people it makes better sense.

This should be a must see for everyone! It is like no other thing no matter how many deserts or sand dunes you see nothing is quite like White sands as it is granite and not sand it's cold to the touch and it doesn't stick to you in the same way that sand does such a unique and incredible experience. I also recommend going when there are tours available and if you're going when there's not a lot of tours you should still definitely go on the sunset stroll it's very informational and interesting I haven't been to White sands in about 10 years and it was such a nice refresher so glad I went the first time and now and I hope to go back in the future!!

Such a beautiful day to spend at the park. Very little traffic, and once you go deeper down the drive just beautiful white dunes as far as you can see. Many spots to pull off, picnic tables for you to be able to enjoy lunch or snack. Spots for trailers or campers. At the beginning their is a nice informational spot talking about the wildlife there as well. Overall very cool spot to check out!

This park is a MUST! It is such a unique and gorgeous place. Definitely take a sled (not the saucer type, it didn’t seem to work as well). You don’t need shoes because the sand is cool. The sunsets are beautiful! There are plenty of places to park your car inside the park so keep driving and you can avoid a lot of people and have your own private dune!

What a beautiful place to check out the sand is amazing!! My feet were not hot touching that sand. It’s not that long of a walk and it’s a beautiful scenic drive highly highly recommend everyone seeing it and then check out the gift shop because they’ve got some excellent choices for memories or knickknacks, or take them gifts .

I love this national park and visited multiple times. It’s such a great place to slide down the sand dunes and visit with the family! They also provide free tours in the evening to explain how the sand dunes were created and the wildlife.

This was one of our stops on our road trip out west. We visited both Carlsbad NP and White Sands in the same day. Best viewed in the late afternoon- it was honestly the most incredible sunset I’ve ever seen.

An excellent place to spend an afternoon, absolutely otherworldly. Would recommend bringing a sled, worth it to spend an afternoon surfing the sand dunes. Evening around sunset or morning for sunrise makes for the best pictures and temperatures to enjoy. Can't miss while in Alamogordo!!

One of the coolest national parks I’ve been to. Crazy to see the endless sand dunes and just hearing about the history of the area. We did the longest hike here which is the Alkali Flat Trail which is a little under 5 miles round trip. Overall nice, there is signage but sometimes gets knocked down by the wind. Also there is zero shade so just be aware! Nice hike tho, just be prepared.

Ranger in the visitor center is very helpful, describe so much about park. We walk few trails. Evening took the sunset ranger guide tour, which is very informative. Sledge on sand is fun part on this park. Visitor center gift shop carry Sledge, which cost: new $25, used $23.

This was such an incredible experience. I had no idea how much of a special place this was going to be! I would definitely recommend watching the sunset here if you have the time. We got to the park about 5:30p and sunset started a little after 7:30p. I will for sure come back here.

Loved it, returned to visit with family after 20 plus years. Many great improvements. Well maintained restroom facilities and shaded picnic tables. Better trails, asphalted entryway. Visitors Center very informative. Purchased Access Pass at Dunes Gate, great deal for the price. Plus Access to other locations included. Overall had a great time. Beautiful sunset over the distant mountains. Was planning to camp out but sites are currently unavailable due to upgrades. Would definitely recommend to all.

1st, I highly recommend you to get a national Park pass. It's a great place no matter what's your interest. Join the evening sunset walk tour, it helps you understand the white sand better. Watch the 15 minutes' documentary at the museum theater is also helpful to get the sense. It's dog friendly, I wish I brought mind there. They also have camping sites.

Outstanding time!! Bring a large cooler with a picnic and lots of extra ice and water-- the kids will love it. It's hot but a lot of fun. There are picnic areas that have built in shade. Our kids ran from that to the sand hills to the AC in the car. Bring your own sleds as you pay 25$ each and it's the only option for miles around although I think some lodging provides free rentals...

As a wheelchair user myself I’m impressed with the spectacular view of the White Sands desert landscape. Since I didn’t plan on spending longer time at the park, I didn’t do the sledding activities. I did not go up onto the sand dunes, just driven through the scenic route. Plus, I don’t think I can fight the heat for more than 5 minutes(haha). It was really hot and dry. Even though, I really enjoyed the view of blue sky with different shapes of clouds and the bright white sand dunes that stretched across the horizon covered with those unique desert plants. Absolutely stunning! I wish all of my handicapped friends from Thailand could come and see this amazing piece of artworks from Mother Nature with their own eyes. I mean seeing picture is nice, but experiencing it with our own eyes is another level. The visitor center’s facilities are handicapped accessible. It has a small gift shop and museum but overall it serves the purpose of providing the information needed. The rangers are very friendly and helpful. I recommend the White Sands National Park. Absolutely worth spending your day here.

White Sands National Park is a must-visit for anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable experience. The park is truly one of a kind. highly recommend visiting White Sands National Park during the cooler months, such as spring or fall. The weather is much more pleasant during these times of year, and you won't have to worry about the sand being too hot. Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and sunglasses, and wear comfortable shoes.

I have visited White Sands National Park a few times over the years. My most recent visit was February of last year and it had snowed which made for a unique visit. The snow was beautiful along the sand dunes. This is a very enjoyable park to explore and relax.

This is so different than any of the national parks I have visited till now. Seems like a different world. We went here for both sunrise and sunset and it was spectacular for both times! I personally loved it during sunrise…. The white gypsum was shining as the rays were reflecting from the crystals. They have an entry station from where you can buy the pass / show your annual pass. Walk into the white dunes to get a better view.

So beautiful! We had a fantastic time traipsing around the dunes. Bring a lot of water - even though we went in the winter and it was cool/chilly, we got very thirsty quickly. I recommend doing the trails closer to the visitor center - you learn a lot about the plants and wildlife. The playa trail was our favorite. If you’re not flying like we were, I would bring your own sled - they sell them (no rentals) and even the used ones are a little pricey. Sledding was very fun though, I highly recommend. We stayed for the sunset, which was really worth it. The gift shop has a great selection of postcards and sells stamps as well.

Beautiful National Park/Monument next to Alamogordo in New Mexico. Not only unique because of its white sand dunes (formed with gypsum), the largest such field in the world, but also fun for the whole family. Young kids can enjoy sliding in the sand, the same way they do in the snow. For adults there are shorter and longer hikes that let you soak in the beauty of this place. Be aware though, sometimes the park is closed partially, or completely, because of a nearby air force base activities. You want to call them as close to the date of your visit as possible to confirm that they are open.

I loved this national park. We did the sunset tour and the ranger was friendly and informative. The views are breathtaking, especially during sunset. They restrooms all over the loop and you could also have a picnic while at the park. The trails are well marked and lovely. The boys had a blast sledding. You can buy used sleds for $20 from the gift shop. New ones are about $25, if you return it at the end of the day you get a $5 store credit.

So for us this place was really really nice.... Walking around the dunes. Seeing all that happens there is definitely worth the trip. Amazingly enough when we were there an F-16 fighter jet crashed into the park. We happen to be right there and see the jet flame out, the pilot eject and the plane land over the dunes with a large plume of black smoke. That was definitely not the most exciting part of the trip but it was very interesting. And thank God that the pilot is okay. Parking is really easy all over the place. Great shade to have a snack and walk on the dunes. I would highly recommend hanging out at this place for a day!

Such a beautiful place to visit. We did sledding in the morning (like 9am) and weather was perfect for end of March. We also returned for the sunset. We didn't do the ranger talk but came about 30m before sunset and walked around. It was incredible.

A very cool place to bring the kids and have lots of fun. I enjoyed the beauty of nature in a very white sandy environment. If you dare, the sand is also great for boogie board surfing. You can bring your own board or rent one at the park.

Absolutely beautiful. Photos don't do this place justice. We went two days and had a great time playing in the sand and walking on top of the dunes along the Alkali Trail. Be sure to bring lots of water sunscreen and sunglasses. It can get quite bright with the sun reflecting off the sand.

Despite some closures due to a recent incident, our visit to White Sands National Park was still memorable. We drove three hours from Carlsbad, NM to experience the renowned white sand landscape. Although sections were closed due to a U.S. Air Force F-16 jet crash, we made the most of our time, exploring for about an hour before heading back to Houston. It's a stunning place to visit, but make sure to pack sunscreen for the adventure!

A mesmerizing landscape of gleaming white gypsum dunes stretching endlessly. Explore the surreal beauty, sled down the slopes, and marvel at unique flora and fauna. An adventure-filled sanctuary offering tranquility and wonder, inviting all to experience nature's masterpiece in the heart of the desert.

Arrived before noon. Not too busy when we got there. A great experience for all ages. Brought our 5 dogs and they had a fun time! Definitely get there early or later in the day. Would love to go back for sunset.

Check the weather before you come! If it's windy, there may be blowing sand in the air. A truly majestic place; white sand dunes with stunning mountain views and vistas at every bend. You can spend an hour or so driving the full loop from the park entry or more time exploring the boardwalks and trailheads. Definitely worth the visit.

It is a very beautiful place to visit! Around the time that I went about 3 PM it was very fresh and towards 5PM it was much colder. Around 50° the sand felt very cool and it was such a beautiful sight to see. It was indeed a new experience ! They also have these plastic disks you can purchase to slide down steep dunes.

What a unique place! No beach, just white sand for MILES. Definitely go and spend as long as you'd like. The further back into the park you go, the bigger the dunes. You can go sledding, or hike on them. The sand is blinding white, so be sure to bring sunglasses. It is also recommended that you bring sunscreen and water. While there are restrooms throughout the park, there are no water fountains past the entrance. So, be sure to bring a bottle with you. In the summer, I can see how it would be an absolute MUST to have water with you. It's $25.00 per private car, and $20.00 for a sled (optional). A small price to pay for such a great visit. Happy Traveling!

Incredible museum documenting the early days of the US space programme, much of which happened at the nearby White Sands Missile Range. The artifacts and equipment on display are superb, with everything from space suits to rocket motors. Th downside is that the museum seems frozen in time, with what feels to be few updates this century. I really hope they find a funding partner to execute the renewal that has now started. Accessibility is excellent, with disabled parking and wheelchair access throughout. You start at the top floor and move down the building via ramps. Outside is a little tougher, but very very good.

Museum is well put together to really showcase early space history. There are so many great artifacts from moon rock to astronaut food to their space suits! We did bring our kids, and there were a few interactive activities for them to do. Overall, it's more for teens-adults who will walk through and read everything. Active duty military do get free access to the museum. We didn't do the planetarium, so I can't comment on if that part was included or not in the fees.

We enjoyed our stop at the Museum of Space History. We even stayed for the Night sky planetarium presentation. My kids just had a blast. The space suits for the kids to wear and take pictures in was just awesome.

A fantastic museum with great displays and exhibits memorializing the history of space travel and its connection to the local area. I thought the museum might be crowded it wasn't bad. Plenty of room to examine the exhibits and read displays. The staff is helpful and the gift shop has plenty of souvenirs, if you're looking for something. There is a theater where documentaries are shown but I didn't partake in any of those. If you're visiting Alamogordo and have a few hours to burn, visit this museum. It's an amazing tribute to space travel and its remarkable history.

For the price I can't complain, the building and parking were great and modern. But found the experience dull and more catered for children. Some interesting bits of information though so worth popping in if passing but don't go out your way. IMO

Alamogordo has a few culturally significant things to see - The Museum of Space History is one of those items. It's been around since the 70s, and it is filled with the history of the space program. It's mainly focused on US space history, but there's some international space history as long as a very nice tribute to Star Trek. The museum is friendly for kids, but has a lot of interesting information for adults, too. The museum has walking areas outside with interesting information about rockets and the early testing done to get ready for orbital launches. There is also a playground right next to this for kids to entertain themselves. Inside you'll find several floors of very interesting information, interactive displays, and artifacts. Ticket prices are typical for museums - ours were about $20. You take an elevator to the top and walk down gradually sloped ramps circling the central floors where the displays are until you get back to the bottom. It takes a couple of hours to absorb all the information. The museum sits on the side of a mountain at the far west side of Alamogordo. The views are stunning and you're able to see the entire Tularosa valley and the White Sands off in the distance. The MSH is one of my favorite places to visit over the years, and definitely worth your time if you're driving through or staying in Alamogordo.

For anyone who likes aero-space stuff this is a nice place to visit. You start from the top floor going down through the history of rockets and space travel. Nice displays, they have added flight simulators that you can try (I have been there several times before). If you are going to watch a movie at their planetarium, buy the tickets in the main building, otherwise you will have to do extra walking and going up the stairs to go back there.

My boys love this place! My 8 year old is a space fanatic, and is always thrilled to go and look at the exhibits. My 5 year old loves the actual ships one can view outside. Both go crazy over the chance to dress up as astronauts though, and that's usually the way each visit ends - they have so much fun. Super affordable, interesting, clean and cool, and they're always adding new things. So glad that the interactive exhibits are back!

This place is definitely for anyone who loves NASA and/or space. With history about the launches, artifacts and replicas of different things on the ships, things to touch and play with to get a feel for how it would have been, and even some Star Trek stuff in one area too. I'd recommend to make a point to look up often since quite a few areas have things above your head as you walk. Missiles, planes, orbiters, nebula photos, etc. The gift shop is small but has a lot of stuff. Including a coin squish machine and astronaut candy.

If you’re in the area, make a point to visit this museum. It has a decent amount of displays, although it could use more. There are some interactive items, like a couple of simulators, and they do have items displayed outside. Educational, the displays are relevant and interesting, and will satisfy the interest of kids of all ages. More so, I hope that it inspires another generation to reach for the skies.

One very cool space museum. They have exhibits inside and outside that you can walk through. Inside they have hands on simulation exhibits where you can land and drive spacecrafts. They also window walls which give you views of the sand dunes back dropped by the mountains and cityscapes. Very exquisite. The museum has something for everyone and guaranteed to stimulate your interest in space.

This is a hidden treasure for all folks interested in space. Five floors of very cool space exhibits, video games to fly the shuttle and land Apollo on the moon, plus a huge science fiction exhibit! This is a great place and it’s not crowded, even on weekends. Check it out!

What an amazing experience! The Museum of Space History was not only educational, but super fun and interesting. Starting with the gravesite of Ham, the first chimp in space, on the walk up, the museum continues to amaze with the breadth and depth of artifacts and exhibits. Everything from the moon replica hanging behind Walter Cronkite as he was reporting on the moon landing, to space simulation exhibits, to an exhibit on space in science fiction, the museum was a joy for all of us (four kids and an adult).

This was such a fun experience! We went with our three kids (ages 6, 4 & 3 months) and while a lot of it went over their heads, there were also a ton of cool things to see and we all learned so much! My son is really into all things space so going here was a dream for him, would highly recommend 😁

This was a very well put together museum! I really enjoyed it. You start in the 5th floor and work your way down. There is also a planetarium across the parking lot.

Free parking in the mountains. Bathrooms, drinking water, accessible. Outdoors and indoors. Elevator to fifth floor, walk down. For all ages. We are NASA buffs, we enjoyed. Planetarium in separate building, great for kids. $28 for museum and planetarium, senior rate. No cafe. Not to be missed.

Fun experience as well as being educational. Outdoors you'll find a playground with lots of missiles, rockets, engines, etc. I especially enjoyed the whispering dishes where you stand like 100 ft apart and whisper into a dish and your partner can hear it! Inside you'll find old space artifacts, space suits, rocket engines, etc. You can stand on a vibration plate with large speakers and it'll emulate what the astronauts feel during a takeoff. It's several stories tall and there was thought put into the design as they route you around the perimeter of the building while changing floors, so you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains! A nice touch 👍 Great for all ages so give it an hour and enjoy!

This place has some amazing history on display, inside and out! There was a closed area for renovation, and a few of the interactive displays need some attention, otherwise this is a 5 star review! At only $7 a person, it was a deal!

Overall, it was so so. A bit too much to call itself the cradle of America’s Space Program…Exhibits were okay, some dating a bit. A lot of mock ups (sputnik, skylab, astronaut suits…) but quite impressed they had V2 engine parts (rotting outside though…). 36$ for two kids and two adults is quite affordable and I would have given four stars if it was not for the planetarium… We bought the combo (museum and planetarium show). We are a family interested to better understand night sky and constellations. What a disappointment to watch this Night Sky Star Show narrated by a Museum Educator…So for 25 mins we were bombarded with information but it was so fast and using astronomy lingo that I got lost after 5 mins. We wanted to understand and be able to find the main constellations and not to be told about the backstory of their names going back to the ancient Greece…My two boys (12 and 11) just wanted to get out asap. Looks like the Narrator enjoyed himself though…what a waste of time… They also present movies. One was on astronaut training, so makes sense but the other on the animals of Serengeti…really? This is bot a zoo…

Here at WSMR for work so I stopped in to walk around. Museum and V2 exhibit are closed but the missiles, rockets, planes and launchers are cool to see.

This post relates to the security rather than the museum ( I have been there before and it is great). To get to the museum, you must go through the Security Centre, which had a 25 minute line up; Although the museum stated it was open (through a text conversation minutes earlier, and I also asked a family that was leaving the site) the security office refused us entry due to the museum “being closed”: Conflicting information between the two. The security office had one person that was helpful and apologetic for the conflicting information, while the other was just plain rude. If you have time to deal with such issues, I would recommend, but be prepared to be turned away, seemingly at the whim of the security office. I would like to reiterate that the museum itself is worth the visit and this regards the security aspect only.

The museum is larger than I expected. Good displays and signage. It covers. The Bataan Death March info was particularly well done, I didn't know the NM connection. The outside displays are extensive. Many of the signs need to be replaced.

Excellent displays in a confusing arrangement. Good historical information a bit on natives and old wars, a lot on nuclear weapons. On arrival we were informed we couldn't drive up, so no vehicle info needed! Don't believe Google directing you to a southern gate. Use only the LA Cruces gate off hwy 70! The museum door said closed but several folks were going in and out. All very disorganized!

If you are not military assigned to base or civilian working on base, you will only get to see the museum and the mountains. You will also have to go through a background check to get a pass to do that. You must have a TSA valid ID. If you have wants and warrants out for your arrest, I wouldn't take the chance. They are serious about security. The museum is awesome. They have all kinds of rockets and rocket launchers. Fun history trip.

The open walk around Missile Museum shows the journey of missile technology from one if the earliest ones to 1990s. Great for kids with curiosity of science.

Brilliant museum covering the history of the US missile programs as well as the history of this region of the country. Any military enthusiasts will really enjoy this experience. Kids also enjoy looking at the missiles but they might not enjoy the indoor museum as much

Very interesting stop. You must check in with the office, show your drivers license and have a photo taken. Then you are permitted to walk through the gates following the sidewalk to the museum which is indoors. There is also a viewing area outside with all sorts of missiles and planes to look at. The reason for 4 stars is ALL of the bathrooms were out of order!

Absolutely 5 stars...put your hands on everything from the "fat man" nuke to the AIM9. Awesome display area!

Very interesting Museum. Lots of historical information. Enjoyed the displays!

Very expansive indoor museum as well as a paved outdoor museum with information at each stop. Must register at the gate, but it is open to the public.

Great free museum! The missile park outside was epic and informative. The museum has lots of information and a good variety of displays. Not much hands on for kids, but our six year old was still engaged the entire time we were here. You have to stop and get a quick background check, so bring IDs for all adults.

Enjoyed seeing all the outside missiles, there was a lot of history to see. The inside museum was closed today at 2, would have enjoyed seeing that. Had a great visit.

What a wonderful place to watch for everyone I strongly recommend all science students must watch this For US CITIZENS need your id and SSN If you need to drive up to the museum take your vehicle registration and insurance with you For NON CITIZENS take your valid passport and visa the process will take around 10 minutes In both cases they will print your admission ticket including your photo on it Non citizens needs to walk up to the museum less than five minutes Take water with you One thing I noticed was lack of parking 🅿️ space But this is a must watch place It’s free of cost

Park just before the gate and present your driver’s license, social security number along with a picture to get approval to go to the missile park. It is located to the left which you must access by a walkway. The museum is closed, but an array of missiles are located just behind. A note of caution: Photos can only be taken at the park and under no circumstances can you take pics of the staffers.

We visited the wine tasting room and then came back for the free tour. Lisa and Michaela were our guides. Both were very knowledgeable, answering our many questions about the pistachio orchard and processing facility. It may not sound that exciting, but it was really interesting to hear the history and learn the process the nuts go through. All of the pistachio samples we tried were great, as were the wines!

Such an amazing facility with an awesome and very friendly staff!!! Although it is smaller than the other Mc Ginn's pistachio land, it is very classy, has very friendly staff giving very good service and they have so much of the local goodies to offer you for free! All of their samples are free to taste and they also have discounts on different holidays to offer you on their products to sell in store!!

If I could give this place 10 STARS, I would happily do so. FIRST AND OLDEST PISTACHIO FARM IN NEW MEXICO THIS PLACE IS A MUST VISIT AND BETTER THAN PISTACHIO LAND. HEART OF DESERT DOES NOT HAVE 30 ft CONCRETE PISTACHIO BUT HAVE REAL PEOPLE CREATING REAL EXPERIENCES AND MOMENTS. One of the best customer service you will ever experience. Each and every one of the ladies who work here are such a sweetheart. They treat you with love and respect just like a family member. They are very welcoming and provide personalized service compared to their competitor next door who comes no where near the Heart of the Desert Pistachios. They have an amazing collection of vinegar, olive oil, pistachio, sweets and wine which you can taste before making the purchase. Their gift baskets are very thoughtful and beautiful. Their pistachio icecream is out of the world. You can taste real pistachios and it’s not too sweet, if you are diabetic. They also give small personalized 1:30pm FREE TOUR of the plantation, manufacturing, sorting, storing, quality control, packaging and distribution sites and it’s very educational. Carolyn and Kia were outstanding. Lovely ladies who served me and my mom very well. Thank you. If you see the owners, don’t forget to say “Hello”. You should try their wine flight and especially Gewurtztramuner (You can pronounce as Girls Are Meaner) wine. It’s not too dry or sweet. Just perfect. They also have wine membership which will save you 20% on the wine purchases, if you are interested. Wine membership is optional and they are not pushy to sell you the membership, which I like about them. The products are very reasonably priced and you can grab an ice cream or wine and chill out on their beautiful outdoor patio over looking plantation. The facility is beautiful and well maintained. Restrooms are fabulous. If you are a veteran don’t forget to grab your 10% discount. They don’t advertise discount, so you have to ask for it. If you are not happy about anything or have concerns just speak to one of the staff members and they will make it right. You will be treated with respect. FREE PARKING FREE VISIT FREE TOUR FREE TASTING FREE PATIO ACCESS UNLIMITED EXPERIENCE AND MEMORIES

Amazing winery and pistachio store. Free wine tasting and pistachio tasting. Price of bottles of wine were very reasonable plus 20% discount if you purchase 3 or more bottles. Also 10% off for military discount if buying less than 3 bottles and are a veteran or active military. Very clean, friendly staff, amazing to see pistachio trees. This is a must if in the area.

The garlic and onion pistachios are to die for. I still dream about them, seriously. Loved the wine and the service, too! Such a great, beautiful little stop on our way to White Sands. We were just about the only people there, so it was quiet and relaxing.

Loved Loved Loved the Pistachio wine. Bought 2 bottles to take home and enjoy! Should have bought several more! Wisconsin doesn’t allow to have wine sent to me. Boo! We also highly recommend the pistachio coffee. It’s amazing, some of the best coffee we have ever had. I have 3 bags on order as I’m typing this :) We also purchased the Vanilla Praline Pistachios. Yum!!! Those did not make it back home, we thoroughly enjoyed them on our roadtrip. We have yet to try the chili mix but I have no doubts, we know it’s going to be amazing!! Also a plus… they sell cheese from our local state! I love that! I mean Wisconsin makes some pretty good cheese 😉 If you are in the area you really need to stop here! They have so much to choose from. I’m happy they have an online shop.

Sampled some nuts, sample some oils and vinegar, and sampled wine. The wine girl, Mikey, was fantastic. She taught us about the difference between the wines, and what we liked, and what to look for. We bought a bottle of their Pistachio Rose, and some flavored white balsamic vinegar.

You can tell when you walk in that the facility was made with love and not slapped together. I enjoyed the white pistachio wine the most. But if you like pistachios and are driving through, you should stop here. Ohhh, they even have a hummingbird garden & we saw little baby humming birds while walking in!

I recently came across this establishment while passing through, being an avid pistachio lover, I couldn't resist but make a detour to explore it. The place itself is quite impressive and worth a visit, especially if you're on your way to the White Sands Missile Range. However, my experience took an unpleasant turn when I reached the cashier's counter. As I handed over my card for payment, the cashier requested to see my ID in order to verify if the name on the card matched the one on my identification. What struck me was that there were four Caucasian individuals ahead of me who were not subjected to the same scrutiny. This incident left me feeling disrespected, particularly because the cashier appeared to be Latina while the other ladies at the register were Caucasian. Even the cashier at the adjacent counter seemed surprised by this discriminatory act. When I asked why my ID was necessary, she simply responded with a feeble excuse of "safety reasons" 😂. I mean, if I were making a substantial purchase of $100 or more, I could understand the caution, but not for a mere $12 😂. It's disheartening to witness such racism ingrained in ignorant minds.

Sadly, I was discriminated by my appearance. I am local construction worker and I stopped there last Friday with a friend to choose some wines for a party, I was wearing my bandana, and my clothes and steel toe boots with some construction dust. I gave to the lady my ID license and ask her for a glass for wine samples. She denied me twice. I just walked away. I trust in the freedom and justice of this review and common sense of the viewers. Probably the products of this company had good quality but the people attending customers are sinking the business. The happy side, I ended doing business with their neighbors.

Many kinds of pistachios, all grown at the site. Free samples to help you decide which you like best. Metal crafts also sold there too.

An amazing find in Alamogordo, NM. A charming venue where we enjoyed pistachio ice cream and wine on their relaxing patio looking out to the pistachio trees. We especially enjoyed chatting with the friendly, welcoming staff. A much calmer place than the overcommercialized touristy Pistachio Land down the road.

This place is well taken care of. The staff is SO FRIENDLY! Miss Lisa was very kind and attentive. The wine is delicious and the treats are so dang tasty!! We will definitely be coming back by on our future trips.

We did the once daily free (1:30pm) Farm Tour. Our tour guide Bree was amazing. Highly recommend. Winery was amazing too.

Made a trip to @heart_ofthe_desert ! ❤️ The outdoor patio was beautiful and so peaceful! My humans tasted some New Mexico Wine 🍷 and of course had some pistachios! 💚-@brewskibrewreviews

We headed to this place after our hike at white sands. Amazing options for wine tasting and it’s free :) Grabbed a bottle of their best white wine. Must stop by and also taste their different varieties in pistachio

Easy to get to right off the highway. Pulled in with our rig and we're able to get turned around easily. Staff are super friendly and very knowledgeable. Bought some flavored pistachios and flavored olive oil. Certainly not chintzy with allowing you to taste different things

Customer service was incredible! They have a gorgeous patio out back, free wine and pistachio tastings, and a beautiful gift shop. They also have live entertainment on Wednesdays, which we are already planning on coming back to see! Everything was more than reasonably priced and the employee that helped us (Lynne?) was so helpful and friendly. I highly recommend this place!

The staff was so friendly. They offered to play us a video that showed how they first planted the pistachio trees and how they harvest and process them today, which was very neat, since we were there much earlier than the in-person tour they offer. They also gave us samples of all the various nuts they carry, as well as a wine tasting. We were impressed with the flavors of both! It was very sunny, so even though it was a bit chilly in early January when we visited, we enjoyed their outdoor patio and view of all the trees for a bit. I would highly recommend a visit if you are looking for something local to enjoy while passing through as we were.

We were RV camping at Oliver Lee for two nights while visiting White Sands NP. We only had reservation for one night and the second we scored due to a cancellation. We really liked the setting of the campground - great views and sunset, amazing canyons on the backdrop. Lots of gorgeous vegetation and birds. Visitor center is fun! The volunteers are really friendly and informative. Campground keeper was friendly too. Campground has different types of sites scattered around: with and without shed, with or without hook ups. Dump station had limited working hours. Hot showers were great! We hiked to the springs (although almost dried out) and enjoyed our morning hike.longer canyon hike available. Plus an overflow for 5$ a night! For us, East coasters, this place was magical! Thank you to the friendly staff and beautiful nature!

Incredible. I only made it about a half a mile up the trail and then back down in three hours. Very steep climb, lots of reasons to stop and look at the view. Shout out to Stan who clearly loves his job and this canyon! Very informative and you can tell he delights in talking to the guests! I'm going to plan on coming back in the spring, making sure I have campground reservations, and make a full day/night of the hike. I wanna get all the way through!

We had trouble getting a first come first serve site and had to stay in the overflow area the first night but then were able to get a no-services site for the next 2 nights. They really should change their booking system and charge much higher cancellation fees for people that reserve and don't show up because all 3 nights there were empty sites that overflow people could have used. However once you're in the park is very nice. We did the Lawson Spring Trail, the nature trail by the visitor centre (scramble on the rocks past the picnic table to see really interesting spring pools and fern walls), and we did the tour of the Oliver Lee ranch. The last time we were here we did the very difficult hike all the way up Dog Canyon and across the Eyebrow which was a little scary but worth the views.

Beautiful campground with a small shelter around cement tables, showers, hiking trails, close enough to town and white sands for convenience but far enough away to see a sky full of stars and enjoy peace and quiet. The camp hosts were kind, respectful, and I felt very safe. Highly recommend staying here.

What a little gem. Spacious rv spots and lots if restrooms within the loop. The kids Loved the trail to Lawson Spring. It is dry but when you get to the upper spring, there’s a few shades under the trees. I had never seen such variety of cacti in a short trail. The hike was easy to moderate. Bring lots of water and watch out for sprouting cacti to Not step on them.

We stayed two nights in site 24. It was large enough for our trailer and large pickup and was almost level, as you can see from the photos. Great views in every direction. It's an easy drive into Alamogordo and then west to White Sands National Park, which was cool. It was rainy, so we didn't get a chance to hike into the canyon, but that is on our list for next time.

This was a great spot to spend the night while visiting White Sands NP! We did have some trouble at the campground with someone stealing our reserved campsite and the camp host was not helpful with this situation. Other than that, I would definitely stay here again. The campsites were easy to access and spread out far enough with lots of desert vegetation between them. The showers were a nice bonus for staying here.

Stunning canton camping. Great views looking west with fabulous sunsets. Clean restroom with hot showers. Great camp host. Hiking up the canyon in the evening was great. Good proximity to White Sands, national Park, and Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Some sites are equipped with water and electric plus a bonus shelter.

I camped here one night after visiting White sands National Park. The place is clean, quiet and easy to find. It's about 20 minutes away from White sands. The campsites are pretty large and have hookups for RVs. Water and electricity. You can tent camp here as well. They have latrine style toilets and showers on site. They're located centrally in the middle of the loop. There are park hosts here year round. I'm met one as soon as I was pulling in and she was very helpful. They have a dog "#1... It looks super nice and I wanted to pet it, but I resisted the temptation to ask 😆

Dog canyon trail was 5+ miles and I will definitely be going back with a walking stick and booties for my dog!! Really great views. Would recommend coming with a partner and to keep in mind the trail is very rocky

Great place to spend a few days. Located close to the Benson Ridge, on Sacramento Mountain foothills, so therefore on a slope. Stayed at site 23 with water and electricity but no sewer. Site was fairly big. We had some challenges to get at level on our site but that was minor. Other sites looked very leveled. There is a dump site (opened between 8am and 4pm). For 18$/night, this is an amazing deal with beautiful landscape (night sky quite nice). But I heard that NM will raise the camping fees to align on other state parks next year. Camping hosts were friendly and helpful. Washrooms and showers were very clean. Located closed to White Sands National Park (30 min drive) and to the Space Museum (30 mins). Overall, it was super quiet, a bit windy but we enjoyed our stay.

We stayed at Oliver Lee for 4 nights on a beautiful site (#14) without amenities. Water was available close to our site so it was easy to get when needed. There are 18 sites with water and electricity but were all reserved at the time of our stay. We are self-contained, but we did see the bathrooms, and they appeared nice and clean. The camp host were helpful and did a nice job updating reserved sites and offering their help if needed. We were able to visit White Sands National Park easily from here. Alamogordo is just a few miles away and had everything you might need as far as supplies. We hiked the Dog Canyon trail for a couple of miles and were treated to dome lovely views. This place is a gem in the muddle of the desert, and we would definitely stay again.

Passing through and decided to stay here instead of dispersed camping at Dog Canyon just below. They were full but they have overflow sites available (6 sites in close proximity to each other) for $8, no electric or tent pads. Perfect for car camping for the night, plus you can use the bathroom and shower facilities. Our timid, little dog actually explored the area a little. All in all, a pleasant overnight. Amazing night sky, sunset and sunrise. Notes: best to have exact change, ranger doesn't carry cash. If car or van camping, check your grade when parking. Sites are relatively level but your feet can end up slightly higher than your head. The "comfort station" is closed between 9pm-6:45am.

What a great desert campground! Sites were nicely spaced gravel with backdrop of desert mountains. Restroom facilities and showers were very clean. Camp host came by for friendly greeting. Dump station on way out was well equipped. Had an RV site with electric and water.

I'm shocked that I somehow did not rate this place already! This was one of the biggest surprises on the trip that I took in May 2023 visiting several national parks. I stayed here because it is super close to White Sands National Park. The camping are is small, and the trails are mainly very short, however the Dog Canyon trail is a great, and tough trail, with plenty of grand views of the area. I was running low on time and was unable to complete the final mile, because I was running out of daylight, but from what I have heard, the final mile does not offer much in the way of views... I do not know this for myself though. The hosts were very pleasant, and I had a fantastic time here.

It's very close to White Sands and has nice hiking trails. The restroom with showers was clean. There's a trail leading to a spring, but when I got there, it was dry. Might be seasonal, or you might have to take the trail further uphill. I'm not sure.

Loved this state park! We camped here in a 42 foot toy hauler. The camp host was amazing and the views were incredible!!

Camped here for three nights. My first site was in the lower section and was fairly level. The second site was up on the slope and leveling was a challenge. Clean restrooms and showers. Very quiet at night.

Great place to visit, Phillip was great! as well as the other gentlemen who took the time to answer all the questions I had on the tour. The train ride was better than anticipated. It was about 20 minutes long that goes around the park. Will definitely stop by again 🚂

Took my grandkids while in town visiting. They weren't open the first time we went and were about to close the second time. They stayed open and gave us a great ride. I would give 5 stars if it wasn't for the unclear hours of operation.

Quaint little visit if you're looking for a fun stop. Philip was very knowledgeable, fun and engaging. Whether you know a thing or two about trains or if you are a complete novice, you can learn something here and have a little fun while doing it. They even have an outdoor miniature train ride too.

This was great. Our tour guide Phillip was great! Kept the attention of our 16 year old nephew and 4 year old daughter. We visit each time we come to Alamagordo and highly recommend!

Visited with my 3 year old and family, and he loved it. It was a nice ride around the park. A real train came by as we were on it. The only downside was that he wanted to go again, but they were having engine issues and couldn't go again. Luckily, we made it once.

We stopped by this museum after visiting White Sands National Park. I have three boys and they all loved this museum. We started with the train ride which was a nice length-- not too short-- and then we toured the museum. It looks like a small building but there were five main exhibits which were each very extensive. The staff were very friendly, and our tour guide, Philip, was extremely knowledgeable about trains. My older boys (ages 5 and 7) left with a lot of information about trains, and it was because Philip engaged them in his entire talk. This is not a place just to "stop by" for a bit; you definitely want to carve out a couple of hours to see all of the details in the exhibits and hear everything the tour guides have to offer.

Amazing layouts, in particular de HO. Very detailed. Excellent museum. Guided tours by very kind folks. They run trains during the visit. Due to time we didn’t ride the outdoor train pictured, but it is quite a large set up!

I recommend this attraction while visiting Alamogordo. The train ride was only $5 a person. The kids had a fun time, and the staff was friendly.

I was born & raised in Alamogordo,now I live in Phoenix since 1986.The Toy Train Depot is always one of my favorite stops when I'm in town.Keep up the good work.

Hours are posted. But for was locked. We hung out outside for a while hoping someone would open the door. There were 3 cars in the parking lot.

This little museum and train ride was a lot of fun. It has a lot of neat train layouts in the museum. They give guided tours to educate you about the history of trains. The train ride provided much excitement for my kids. The guy that gave us the ride was very friendly. He seemed to really enjoy his job. They also have some train memorabilia for sale. The things they had were not bad priced. See the pictures below for their hours. Google has the hours posted wrong. This is a great stop if you have a train enthusiast in your family.

Great attraction! Our tour guide, Phil, was a lot of fun and very knowledgeable. Thanks for a fun and informative visit!

My kiddo and I had a great time riding on the train. The staff here is super friendly and accommodating. If you are not interested in model trains, this is not the attraction for you. The train ride is remarkably long and worth the money, in my opinion. You can just buy tickets for the train, which can be nice for those with smaller kiddos. If you like toy trains, and are in the area, definitely consider adding this as a stop. On the train line there is a nice park, several shady places to picnic and a disk golf course