It was almost 3 years ago when my husband and I decided rather spur of the moment that we were taking a job in Carlsbad, NM. I was sitting in my apartment googling Carlsbad, and praying there were other outdoor adventures to be had besides the Caverns. (Don’t get me wrong – the Caverns are phenomenal! But just as a man cannot live on bread alone…I cannot live on Caverns alone.) I remember being somewhat bitterly disappointed until I eyed Sitting Bull Falls. Sitting Bull Falls is the literal definition of an oasis in the desert. It’s considered one of the top things to do in Carlsbad, NM…but be warned! It’s a good 45 minutes to an hour to travel to it. Ask anyone who’s been there, and they will tell you it’s worth the drive! After making your way through the desert following signs for the Falls, you start looking around at the landscape and you begin to wonder how in the heck you’re going to see such a beautiful waterfall oasis in such a desolate place. Don’t worry when you get to this mental place – I promise it’s there! Sitting Bull Falls is a great place for you to spend the day in with your family – especially on those 100+ degree days in the summer! Here’s all the info you need to visit this unique place: (Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that when you click on the link below to buy a certain product, I will receive a small commission off the sale. It doesn’t affect the price that you pay, and the commission I receive doesn’t have any bearing on my recommendation! Regardless, I hope that you like the products and give them a try whether you use my links or not, cause I truly suggest only what I use and love!) What You Need To Know: Directions: GOING NORTH (from Carlsbad): Head North out of Carlsbad toward Artesia on HWY 285. About 11-12 miles out of town you will see signs for NM 137-S (Queens). Turn left on NM-137 S, and get ready to enjoy the scenery. Don’t freak out as you feel like you are leaving civilization – it’s in the middle of nowhere. Stay on 137 for about 23 miles, and you will see signs for Sitting Bull Rd. Take a right and follow the road all the way to the campground. The signs for it are clearly marked but if you hit Queens, you went way too far. GOING SOUTH (from Carlsbad): Head South out of Carlsbad toward the Caverns on HWY 285. Google Maps says it’s about 10 miles out of town to your turn-off, which is Dark Canyon Rd/408. (I know for sure there’s a sign for 408 and there should also be a sign that says either Dog Canyon or Sitting Bull Falls). You will stay on this road all the way until it dead-ends into a T-intersection with NM-137. At this T-intersection, you will take a left, and it’s approximately 10 miles to Sitting Bull Falls. There will be a sign for your turn-off to the right. Follow the road all the way to the campground. Restrooms: Yes Pets OK? Yes, on a leash Crowds: Heavy. Camping Allowed: No overnight camping, day-use only Fees/Permits: $5 at the time of my visit, Check here for the most up to date prices. Tips: ALWAYS check the website here before you go to make sure that there are no funky hours of opening and to find out when they will be closing the gate. This will also prevent you from driving all the way out there just to find out they are closed (been there…done that.) It would be best to get here early in the afternoon or later in the afternoon when people are starting to go home. This is a very crowded place in the summer and the parking lot is not that large. There is a second parking area, but it’s a little bit of a walk from the first one, and I wouldn’t want to make that walk in 100-degree heat! There are a handful of covered picnic tables that are first come first serve. Some of them have grills, so bring your gear! You are, again, in the middle of nowhere, so bring snacks and drinks, even if you don’t plan on picnicking. We were just wishing today that we had brought hot dogs and some buns! There is a short walk from the parking area to the falls. It is paved, and it takes you to an Overlook, so you don’t have to actually walk down the stairs and up to the falls if you don’t want to. You can come to the Falls in regular activewear or swimwear – either way, you’ll be able to enjoy the area at the base of the falls. However, if you have kids, be prepared for them wanting to swim in the pools underneath the falls! They will need to come prepared to swim or they can change in the restrooms by the parking lot. Leave yourself some time to check out all the hiking the area has to offer! If possible, try to plan your trip here before schools let out for summer. The water was a little cold, but I have never had this place more to myself than today! My friends and I had it totally to ourselves when we were about to leave, which has never happened before. The rocks in the water are very slick! My friend totally fell and busted herself so make sure you are careful – even with water shoes! You will lose reception on the way here, so make sure you don’t close your Maps App out until you are sure you know the route. There aren’t a lot of turns/difficulty in finding it, but you don’t want to be lost in the desert either. Be aware of wildlife!! This is definitely mountain lion and snake territory so keep an eye on children. (Click here to see other Things to Do in Carlsbad!) What To Bring: (If you want to see ALL the gear I recommend, check out my Resources & Store page!) Water Shoes – LOVE these from REI. They are great for keeping you sure-footed in the river, but they also have a sturdy enough sole to hike around on the surrounding rocks. They can be ordered in men and women sizes, so they’re a good fit for all! High Ponytail Hat – For all of you with long hair, this hat is seriously a game-changer. I love mine so much! This link has a lot of colors to choose from so treat yourself! Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are a must, especially if you are coming in the morning and early afternoon when the sun is at it’s worst! Water Bottle and lots and lots of water! Swimwear & Towels Dry clothes to change into after getting wet Where to Stay: Your only real option is staying in Carlsbad, but if you are visiting the National Parks nearby you could also stay in White City. I recommend using VRBO to stay in Carlsbad. It’s a little bit more of a drive to the National Parks but it has so much better amenities and privacy. Also, with the economy being so closely tied to the oilfields down here, a lot of companies rent out hotels for weekly rates to house their workers. I’m not saying that cause there is anything wrong with the workers (because there isn’t), but the vibe is not going to be like a normal hotel, it’ll be more like an apartment building. Please enjoy my pictures of this beautiful Oasis! Water shoes are definitely a must when visiting! I’ve always enjoyed finding a less crowded pool and sitting there cooling off my feet! I enjoyed arriving there best around 2:30-3:00. The sun is just starting to get behind the falls, giving you some very enjoyable shade and lighting for the rest of the stay. Plus most people have already been here all morning and are packing up about this time. I’ve been to Sitting Bull 3 times in the last 3 years, and it’s always a little different every time! The featured picture is from almost 3 years ago in August, and you may see how much mossier the falls were! Regardless of the month, Sitting Bull Falls is the true definition of an Oasis in the desert. I hope this post has helped you plan your trip or just encouraged you to go! You won’t regret it 🙂 What do you guys think?? Have you been to Sitting Bull Falls?? Do you have any awesome pics you wanna leave in the comments?? Let me know! Hope y’all enjoyed, and ’til next time!