Guadalupe RD

Area Status: Open

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 our offices to obtain a free Motor Vehicle Use Map which details exactly what roads you are allowed to disperse camp along. Most roads, outside of US and State Highways are available for this use. Please be mindful that there are many private land inholdings within the Forest and these lands are not available for camping.

Trails: Currently, all of the trails within the Guadalupe Ranger District allow only pedestrian or pack/animal traffic. No mechanized (mountain bikes) nor motorized vehicles are allowed on our trails. However, these activities are permitted on the roads in the district.

The district is remote with little to no water available so please bring what you need and be safe.

Activities

Dispersed Camping

Dispersed or "road-side" camping is allowed throughout the Lincoln National Forest. You may drive to park your RV no more than 300' from an open road designated for such use. Please check with one of our offices to obtain a free Motor Vehicle Use Map which details exactly what roads you are allowed to disperse camp along. Most roads, outside of US and State Highways are available for this use. Please be mindful that there are many private land inholdings within the Forest.

Day Hiking

Day Hiking:

All of the trails on the Guadalupe Ranger District are considered 'day-hiking' trails, as you can hike them, or portions of them, easily within a days time.

Popular Day Hikes include shorter loops surrounding the Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Site.

Areas for Day Hiking at Guadalupe RD

Backpacking

Areas for Backpacking at Guadalupe RD

Horse Riding

Pack animals such as horses and mules are allowed on most of the trails within the Lincoln. Please be mindful that they may be sharing the trail with pedestrians and motorized vehicles so plan accordingly.

Areas for Horse Riding at Guadalupe RD

Big Game Hunting

Big and small game hunting is available most of the year throughout the Lincoln National Forest. Check with the NM Game & Fish Dept. for seasons, licensing, etc.

There is no motorized access outside of designated roads and trails to access hunting areas or for retrieval of your game. Please plan accordingly.

Small Game Hunting

Big and small game hunting is available most of the year throughout the Lincoln National Forest. Check with the NM Game & Fish Dept. for seasons, licensing, etc.

There is no motorized access outside of designated roads and trails to access hunting areas or for retrieval of your game. Please plan accordingly.

Viewing Scenery

A number of vistas (or viewing areas) offer stunning views of the lands in the area. Chief among this is 5-Points vista near the end of Forest Road 540.

Areas for Viewing Scenery at Guadalupe RD

OHV Road Riding

Motorcycle and ATV's <50" wide are allowed to travel on any designated open road. Please check with one of our offices to receive a Motor Vehicle Use Map (free) which details what roads are available for your enjoyment.

There are presently no trails on the Guadalupe Ranger District which allow use of Off-Highway Vehicles.

Caving

Caving opportunities are available for use via permit only. Permits can be obtained at the Guadalupe Ranger Station in Carlsbad. Please check the Passes & Permits page for more information.

Picnicking

The "jewel in the Guadalupes" is Sitting Bull Falls, a lovely day-use picnic area with trails leading to a 150' waterfall and pools of water. Truly an oasis in the desert.

Areas for Picnicking at Guadalupe RD