Road trip · Southern New Mexico & West Texas
Southern New Mexico Loop
The loop
White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains.
Overview line between stops, not turn-by-turn directions.
Stop by stop
- 1
White Sands National Park
Suggested: 1 day (full guide: 1–2 days)
~109 mi straight-line from White Sands National Park
2Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Suggested: 1 day (full guide: 1–2 days)
Secure Your Cave Entry via Recreation.gov Before Arrival
~31 mi straight-line from Carlsbad Caverns National Park
3Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Suggested: 2 days (full guide: 2–3 days)
High Desert Camping and Summit Permits
Quick answers
How many days do I need for the Southern New Mexico Loop?
Plan about 4 days to give each of the 3 stops its suggested minimum time, plus extra if you add rest days.
Which order should I visit the stops in?
White Sands National Park, then Carlsbad Caverns National Park, then Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The order keeps each leg as short as possible.
Do any stops on this loop need reservations?
Check booking rules early for Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Each stop's guide links to the official source.