Sitting Bull Falls

A spring-fed desert oasis waterfall dropping about 150 feet into a pool in Lincoln National Forest's Guadalupe Ranger District.

Sitting Bull Falls sits at the meeting point of the Chihuahuan Desert and high-elevation woodland in the Guadalupe Ranger District of Lincoln National Forest, where ancient karst geology has shaped dramatic rocky ridges around a spring-fed oasis. The Forest Service describes a series of spring-fed waterfalls falling about 150 feet to a large pool below, set among piñon-juniper slopes and desert shrubs. The surrounding district supports mule deer, mountain lions, owls, and desert reptiles, and the falls are a popular stop for hiking, backcountry camping, horseback riding, and caving.

An ADA-accessible path leads from the parking area to the falls viewing area a short distance away, making the main view reachable without a backcountry hike. The Forest Service lists the recreation area as currently open, though its general district page does not post specific hours, entrance fee amounts, or trail mileage. Check with the Guadalupe Ranger District or current Lincoln National Forest alerts before a visit, particularly given the area's desert setting and potential for seasonal flash flooding or closures.

Know before you go

Sources & further reading

• Lincoln National Forest -- Guadalupe Ranger District ↗
• USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗

This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.