An Oasis in the Desert Awaits Area Visitors

By Michele Robertson

A true oasis in the desert, Sitting Bull Falls is managed by the Lincoln National Forest-Guadalupe Ranger District and boasts a spring-fed waterfall that drops 150 ft (45.7 m) into a pool of water below.

This location is popular in the hot summer months, as the water is refreshingly cool. With numerous shaded picnic structures to set up for the day, this is an incredibly popular place to visit, and space is limited. There is an ADA path to a viewing area of the falls, and you can hike several trails in the area.

The picnic sites in the area were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. This allows visitors use for the day; however overnight camping is not allowed at this day-use-only site. There are also flushing toilets and potable water available.

The area has many trails, including handicap accessible trails leading to the falls, making it a great spot for the whole family and adventurers of all abilities. Trails available to hike include Last Chance Canyon Trail (No. 226). This is a trail that follows the canyon bottom of Last Chance Canyon and is 6.2 miles long.

The Sitting Bull Falls Trail (No. 68) is a scenic hike with views of natural pools and the surrounding desert landscapes. The Overlook Trail (No. 215) is a 1.9-mile-long trail. It begins at the CCC trail (T214) and dead ends at an overlook of the Sitting Bull Falls area.

Jorden Scott, PAO for the Lincoln National Forest, shared benefits of getting outside as well as some upcoming changes to the Sitting Bull Falls site. “Visiting Forest Service lands connects people with nature, supports physical and mental well-being, and fosters stewardship of public lands for future generations,” she said.

With several different climates within the Lincoln National Forest, it is important to plan ahead and recreate responsibly.

“People can stay safe and recreate responsibly on public lands by planning ahead, checking weather and closures, carrying essential supplies, sharing their itinerary, knowing their limits, following fire restrictions and posted rules, staying on designated routes, packing out trash, and respecting wildlife, cultural resources, and other visitors,” Scott added.

Scott also shared that “visitation at Sitting Bull Falls is highly seasonal, with the highest visitor use occurring in July and August and the lowest use occurring in January and February. Holiday and nearby weekends tend to max out available parking between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.”

“The site currently offers cash or credit card payments. Expected over the next month, we’ll have QR code payments through recreation.gov, which can be purchased before losing a phone signal en route to Sitting Bull Falls. As of January 1, the site will be managed through concessionaire. Daily operations are expected to continue as is, however an increase of $1 per vehicle and one closure day per week, possibly Wednesdays, is anticipated,” Scott said.

To get to Sitting Bull Falls from US285 north of Carlsbad, turn west onto NM137. Continue on NM137 for about 20 miles until you find County Road 409. Turn right on this road and continue.

The Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Site is at the end of this road. 32.245283 -104.696627

Cost: Day use fee: $10.00/car; multi-passenger vehicle: $25.00/car

Hours: Thursday-Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with entry gate closing at 3:30 p.m.

The USDA National Forest Service has 154 National Forests throughout all 50 states, including Puerto Rico. Throughout New Mexico, there are 11 National Forests. In the Lincoln National Forest, there are roughly 1.1 million acres to explore, covering three mountain ranges, the Sacramento, Guadalupe, and Capitan.

Elevations vary from 4,000 to 11,500 feet, which allows one to wander from warm, desert landscapes to cool, high‑country forests in a single day.

Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln for more information on the Lincoln National Forest and its districts.