The Guadalupe Ranger District offers many recreation opportunities for you to enjoy.     Picnicking:  One developed picnic site, Sitting Bull Falls, is available for your use.  Camping:  Dispersed ("road-side") camping only.   Dispersed or "road-side" camping:  You may drive to park your RV no more than 300' from an open road designated for such use. Please check with one of…

The Nelson Canyon Vista and trail offers a quick little hike from NM6563 to a beautiful vista (view) of the Tularosa Basin below.

Dark Canyon, the only lookout located on the Guadalupe Ranger District, is an Aermotor MC-99 type 7’ X 7’ cab sitting on a 48 foot high steel tower. Erected in 1949, it is one of only two MC-99 types still standing in the southwestern Region (the other is on the Kaibab National Forest). The Dark Canyon site has been used for fire detection since 1910, utilizing two tall pine trees with ladders and platforms, until…

Located along the Sunspot Scenic By-way (NM6563) just about 1mile south of the beginning of the road, this Vista (view) offers stunning views of Hayne's Canyon below in High Rolls and beyond to the Tularosa Basin.

From 1899-1947, the steam engines of old used to climb the railroad line from Alamogordo to Cloudcroft and beyond. The Mexican Canyon Trestle observation site offers a stunning view of one of the last standing large trestles along the route.

The Tunnel Vista offers spectacular views of the Tularosa Basin. Located alongside US82 just west of the actual tunnel, this site is a nice opportunity to stop.

Located at the end of the Sunspot Scenic By-way (NM6563) is the Sunspot and Apache Point Observatories and the Sunspot Visitor Center. Enjoy the ride to and from and learn more about the Solar System and the work being done at the Observatories.

This desert oasis features a series of spring-fed waterfalls that fall 150 feet (45.7 m) to a large pool of water below. There is an ADA accessible path to the falls viewing area a short distance from the parking lot, along with several hiking trails. Sheltered picnic sites with tables and grills are available, along with fresh water, trash cans, and restrooms.  Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area is 42 miles…

Located about 1 mile east of the Village of Cloudcroft just off Highway 82.   Google Map Four picnic sites available for use.

Located at the west end of the Village of Cloudcroft, the Trestle Recreation Area offers a day-use picnicking site with access to popular area trails. Water, restroom facilities, interpretive information, access to trails, picnic sites. This is a day-use facility only.  

Located just east of the Smokey Bear Ranger Station on Forest Road 88. This picnic area offers water, accessible bathrooms, picnic tables for the general public. It also offers a reservation-only group area.

Located just below Bonito Lake between Forest Road 107 and the Bonito River. This day-use picnic area rests under the tall Ponderosa Pines and offers a lovely spot for a lunch. Restrooms available.

Ski Apache is a popular alpine ski facility located near Sierra Blanca. It offers downhill ski opportunities in the winter, access to the White Mountain Wilderness Area trails and also stunning views from the Lookout Vista Observation Site.

Trail #68E: The Anderson Canyon trail is 1.3 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 68E and ends at the Forest Boundary to the east. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Horseback Riding

Trail #67: The Black River Spring trail is 2.0 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 69 near the McCullom Ranch and ends at Forest Road 201. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Horseback Riding

Trail #45: The Camp Wilderness Ridge trail is 1.8 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 3008 and continues into the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, although the Forest Service portion ends at the Forest Boundary. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Horseback Riding

This vista, located just NW of the Village of Cloudcroft, offers a majestic view of the 1899 railroad trestle called the Mexican Canyon Trestle via US82.

Soaring to nearly 10,000' high, the Windy Point Vista is a spectacular vantage point of the entire Lincoln National Forest and Tularosa Basin.  The vista is located about 1 mile before you reach the Ski Apache downhill ski area.  Although the road is paved, there are many tight turns.  It is not for the feint of heart if you have a fear of heights.  The journey takes about 30 minutes from the…

This 6.4 mile trail is the main trail in and around the Grindstone Lake area.  It's main trailhead can be found at the upper parking area with the ending point along the lake.  It is open for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

The Capitan Wilderness Area lies about 5 miles NE of Capitan, NM and is most famous as the place where the real Smokey Bear was found in 1950. 

Located about 1 mile south of the NM6563 and NM130 turnoff, this viewing area (vista in spanish) makes for a wonderful photo opportunity.

Located in the far SW portion of the Guadalupe Ranger District, this viewing area (vista) offers spectacular views of the 'Rim' and the Guadalupe Mountains. The Rim is nearly a 1500' - 2000' cliff marking the western extent of the Guadalupe Mountains.  It extends the entire north-south length of the ranger district and extends into National Park land at its south end. Take US285 north of Carlsabad and turn west…

The Mayhill Lookout was moved in 1967 to James Ridge, and is now known as the James Ridge Lookout.  The Mayhill Lookout was constructed in 1935, and was part of the Mayhill Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp F-24-N which constructed permanent buildings in 1934.  The Mayhill Lookout was an LX-24 cab sitting on a 48 foot tower.  As seen in the photograph, the site include the Observer’s cabin which…

Wofford lookout has a seven foot square Aermotor MC-39 steel cab that sits on an eighty foot high tower. It was erected by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933.  At the base of the tower sits the observer’s cabin which is a wood framed structure also built in 1933 by the CCC.  The cabin measures 12’ X 16’ and has a gable roof, and narrow wood slats for siding.  The storage shed, constructed…

Located on the Sacramento Ranger District, James Ridge Lookout (formerly Mayhill Lookout), is a 7’ X 7’ steel cab sitting on a 62 foot high steel tower.  The cab style is designated as and Aermotor LX-24; however, the lookout has been extensively remodeled since it was moved from its previous Mayhill site.  The lookout was moved to James Ridge in 1967, and its future eligibility to the National Register of…