Grindstone Lake was one of our favorite parts of visiting Ruidoso! I know there are other lakes…read morenearby, but this one is definitely a must-see. You pay per vehicle, and you can bring your own chairs, food, fishing gear, kayaks, or anything else you want for a fun day by the water. There are a few benches, but they fill up quickly, so I'd recommend bringing your own chairs. The inflatable water park was the highlight for our kids! Life jackets are provided, and they had an absolute blast. They couldn't stop talking about all the fun they had. There's also a restroom on-site, which made our visit even more convenient. We had such a great time and would absolutely come back!

We came out yesterday, and had a wonderful time. So much so, that we came out again today! ‍…read more Bring shade! A tent, umbrella, some type of protection from the hot sun, because it is !! Parking is $10, by reservation only, on the weekends, and Monday-Thursday is first come first served, but also $10. If you have an established residence, second home, it's $10 for the entire season. Ignore the ticket taker's attitude as you drive in. We have been here three times, morning, and evening, and she's always here! Lol! She is extremely rude! She evidently hates her job because she is unfriendly and grills everyone to the third degree! Like I said, ignore her, and have fun! Registration is online at the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation website. The water park, known as The Wibit, is $20. This is a main attraction for family-fun. Life vests are required at all times while swimming, and using the water park, but they rent you one as part of the $20. Food and drinks are allowed, but of course, no alcohol is ever permitted. We most definitely will be returning, and highly recommend it!

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six-week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. Sometimes that means a few hours, sometimes several days. White Sands National Park was, without question, one of the most unforgettable and magical places of the entire trip. The first surprise is that these are not sand dunes at all. They are made of gypsum crystals, creating endless waves of brilliant white dunes that seem to stretch forever. Because gypsum doesn't absorb heat the way regular sand does, you can actually walk barefoot, even on a warm day. That alone feels almost magical. The landscape is unlike anywhere else I have ever been. As the sunlight changes throughout the day, the dunes constantly transform, shifting from brilliant white to shades of silver, blue, and soft gold. At times it felt less like Earth and more like walking through another world. The silence, the vastness, and the simplicity of the landscape create an almost meditative experience. I could have hiked there for hours. There is something incredibly peaceful about wandering across the dunes, following only footprints that the wind may erase a few hours later. It is one of those places where you naturally slow down and simply absorb the beauty around you. Beyond its beauty, White Sands also has fascinating geology and ecology. Despite appearing barren, many plants and animals have adapted to survive in this remarkable environment, and learning how life has evolved in such an unusual landscape made the visit even more interesting. We stayed in nearby Alamogordo, which turned out to be a charming town with several very good restaurants and plenty to do. We enjoyed learning about the area's famous pistachio farms and wineries, and there are also family-friendly attractions that make it an excellent base for exploring the region. Overall, White Sands National Park exceeded every expectation. It is beautiful, peaceful, unique, and unlike any other national park we have visited. If you have the opportunity, don't just drive through, walk into the dunes, take your shoes off, and let yourself experience one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the United States.

White Sands National Park was absolutely worth the drive from Ruidoso! As soon as we arrived, we…read morewere blown away by the views. The bright white sand is unlike anything we've ever seen--it's absolutely beautiful! You pay per vehicle to enter, and I highly recommend bringing plenty of cold drinks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sled or something to slide down the dunes with. The sun feels much stronger out there, so don't underestimate it! They also have restrooms available, which was very convenient. If you're visiting New Mexico, White Sands is definitely a must-see. It was one of the highlights of our trip!