Cloudcroft’s Bluff Springs Waterfall

Cloudcroft, NM is located at almost 9000 ft in the Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico – and it’s a must-see destination if you are traveling through the area! I suggest pulling off whatever route you’re on and spending the afternoon here if at all possible.  When you do come, you gotta stop at Bluff Springs Waterfall!

Cloudcroft is a place that I will always think of fondly, having spent many weekends here in the past 3 years! One of the things that I love about Cloudcroft is that you get all the beautiful trees and scenery that you find at 9000ft without the horrible weather! Trust me, Cloudcroft’s 9000ft and Colorado’s 9000ft are NOT THE SAME.

(If you’re wondering what else there is to do in Cloudcroft, check out my other posts!)

Directions:

(From HWY-82) At the end of town, right before you begin your descent down the mountain to Alamogordo, there is a turn off to the left, with signs for Weed and Timberon (HWY 130).  You take a left at this HWY.  When you drive down HWY 130 for a few miles, turn right onto the Sunspot HWY (6563), which will have signs for Timberon.  You’ll follow Sunspot HWY (6563) for a few miles until you see the sign for Bluff Falls, and you’ll turn left onto Rio Penasco Rd.  You will follow this road until you see the waterfall and campgrounds on your right.

Now, this is totally up to you, but in my opinion, you really would not be doing your visit here justice if you didn’t do these next 3 things:

1. You have to cross the bridge and follow the little footpath that goes right up to the waterfall (as long as there isn’t snow, ice, or intense mud…this will depend on the season!)

2. You have to hike up the staircase and check out the top of the waterfall and meadow.

3. You should follow the stream upriver… it will actually take you to the source of the waterfall!

Another cool thing about this particular campground is that it connects with a pretty extensive trail system from the Willie White Trail.  I hiked this trail a couple of years ago in October, and it was so beautiful that I actually got a little angry!

So long story short, this is an area where there is no shortage of beauty and hiking trails.  If you brought plenty of water and snacks, you could easily spend all day hiking in this area alone.  Here area few tips I might offer if you did this:

Things to consider:

Please remember that there is abundant wildlife in the area…including bears and mountain lions.  I have actually seen a baby mountain lion on this very road (Rio Penasco, that is)! Be aware of your surroundings and aware of your food & food wrappers.

Monsoon season in this area is July to August (ish), but you are in Cloudcroft, and you have a decent chance of rain year round, from what I’ve experienced.  Dress or pack accordingly.

In my opinion, the month of August is when this area (and Ruidoso) are at their lushest, because of monsoon.  I highly recommend trying to visit at this time, as the wildflowers are beautiful then!

There are primitive restrooms in the campground area, but no sinks, just FYI.

If you can, plan to come during the week and not on a holiday…there will be far fewer people here!

Well, I don’t think there’s more I can say to talk this place up!

Have you been here? What did you think? Did you hike on the Willie White Trail?? I wanna know!

Leave a comment, & until next time!