This is the fourth post in our series about New Mexico parks, our second about day trips from Brantley Lake State Park. Looking for a day trip where you can swim and cool off that is near Brantley Lake, try a local favorite: Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area.
Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area is only 38 miles from Brantley Lake State Park, but it will take you about an hour to get there. You will take NM137 for about 20 miles. Turn right on County Road 409. You will go quite a ways until you reach the park at the end of the road.
The park hours vary according to the season. They are very strict about visitors needing to leave the park by 5 in the winter and 6 in the summer. I strongly urge you to go during the week if you can, as the park gets very crowded on the weekends. They are closed on Monday and Tuesdays.
After you park, you will fill out the form and put 5 dollars cash in the receptacle for your entry fee. The park provides a plethora of picnic tables, the oldest of which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and a part of the National Historic Registry. They also have nice bathroom facilities.
You will see a sign directing you to the viewing platforms. The path is wheelchair accessible, but steep.
From there you will get a beautiful view of the falls
You are welcome to get into the small pool at the bottom of the pool or explore the area as the water flows through the base of a canyon in Lincoln National Forest.
Then, if you choose, you can take the .6 mile trail to the top of the falls.
You do not have access to the top of the falls that you see from the viewing platform below.
However, keep going up a little more. You will find an overlook with fabulous pools where we saw people relaxing to cool off. We chose to just dip our feet in. This area is much less crowded than the pool directly below the waterfall.
We went a little farther past this section and followed the stream on trail 68. We did not go all the way, but turned around when we hit a grassy area.
We spent an enjoyable afternoon in this park. In late September, the weather was perfect to eat lunch and then hike the trail. However, in the summer months, I would suggest getting here as soon as it opens. Next week, we will continue our day trips from Brantley Lake State Park and venture to Guadalupe National Park. See you then.