Sitting Bull Falls

Sitting Bull Falls pours 150 feet over a travertine cliff face in the Lincoln National Forest, an astonishing oasis of cascading water and lush vegetation in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert west of Carlsbad. The travertine formations are alive and growing, built up over centuries by mineral-rich spring water that deposits layer upon layer of calcium carbonate. Ferns, mosses, and wildflowers cling to the wet rock face, creating a hanging garden that glows green against the bone-white travertine.

The main trail to the falls viewing area is a short quarter-mile paved path from the parking area, accessible to visitors of most ability levels. A steeper half-mile trail climbs to the top of the falls and the spring source, offering views across the desert landscape from the cliff rim. The recreation area includes picnic shelters, restrooms, and a swimming area below the falls where families can wade in the shallow creek.

The springs feed the falls year-round, though flow peaks in spring. The desert setting means summer temperatures can be extreme — the shaded falls area is significantly cooler than the surrounding landscape. A $5 day-use fee applies. The 35-mile drive from Carlsbad passes through dramatic desert canyon country. Sitting Bull Falls is a designated National Recreation Trail.