TNC's Davis Mountain Preserve Changes Open Day Schedule Due to Fire Danger

The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountain Preserve has an open weekend scheduled for May 13-15. With the Rockhouse Fire still threatening the area it is likely the preserve will be closed that weekend. On May 4th the preserve will decided weather or not they will open.

Should conditions allow for an open event in mid-May, the open weekend scheduled for May 13th through 15th will be shortened to an open day on Saturday, May 14th only, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Vehicles will not be allowed past the McIvor Conservation Center. All entry past the headquarters area will be on foot, horseback, or bicycle. This change is necessitated by the continuing high fire danger conditions. We will have more information as that weekend approaches.

Davis Mountain Preserve covered in Fog

The Madera Canyon Trail, remains closed until further notice due to active fire and fire containment efforts in the area. (The Madera Canyon Trail is normally open to the public on a daily basis with trail head at the east end of the Lawrence E. Wood Picnic Area.)

For further information, e-mail DMP Director Chris Pipes at cpipes@tnc.org or call 432-426-2390

I was at the Davis Mountain Preserve one year ago hiking to the summit of Mt. Livermore under much different conditions. Rain and fog threatened the whole hike. We ended up turning around 1/2 mile from the summit when lightning struck the radio towers on the summit.Click here to read more about that hike.

Related Resources:
www.nature.org/texas. 
Inciweb: Rockhouse Fire

Related Posts:
Fire destroys Parts of Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area
Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area Closed Due to Last Chance Fire
Last Chance Fire Burns in the Guadalupe Mountains
Madera Canyon Trail Closed Due to Fire Danger
Fort Davis Fire Photos - A Special Week in Review
Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.
Davis Mountains Wildfire Update - April 12, 2011
Fire Destroys Parts of Davis Mountains State Park in Texas
Areas of Big Bend National Park Closed Due to Fire Danger

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Suicide in Big Bend National Park, Texas

It seems all I have been writing about lately are the wildfires currently burning in Texas and New Mexico. Today I take a break to write about a sad fatality in Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend National Park released this tragic news yesterday afternoon.

Jasbo Jerome Whitfield, 29, of of Boerne, Texas took his own life by a self inflicted gunshot wound on the road between Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon at 6:00 PM on April 21, 2011. Big Bend National Park rangers, U.S. Border Patrol, Terlingua Fire and EMS, and the Brewster County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene immediately upon notification.

"We are truly saddened by this tragic death," stated Superintendent William E. Wellman, "and offer our condolences to the Whitfield family and friends."

The thought that immediately came to mind was "why in Big Bend?" Surprisingly a large number of people attempt suicide in national parks. Last year Jeff at the Smokey Mountain Hiking Blog brought my attention to the recent CDC study that found 286 suicides where committed or attempted between 2003 and 2009 in our National Parks. 194 (68%) were completed suicides, and 92 (32%) were attempted suicides.

Thankfully Big Bend is not one of top parks for suicide. In fact this is the first suicide in the park since 2006, when a 41-year-old Conroe man killed himself. The following is a list of the top 10 national parks for suicide deaths between 2003 and 2009:

Blue Ridge Parkway: 15 deaths
Colorado National Monument: 12
Grand Canyon: 11
Natchez Trace: 11
Golden Gate: 11
New River Gorge: 9
Yosemite National Park: 6
Cuyohoga Valley: 5
Saguaro: 5
Cape Hatteras: 4
Chattahoochee River: 4
Death Valley: 4
Glen Canyon: 4

I am interested to hear your thoughts on National Park Suicides. Why do you think parks are chosen this often for suicide?


Related Resources:
Fatality in Big Bend National Park

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Fire destroys Parts of Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area

The Last Chance Fire continues to burn in the steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain of the Guadalupe Mountains. Thanks to a comment from an anonymous reader I have just discovered the Fire has also burned areas of Sitting Bull Falls including picnic pavilion overhang covers, electrical poles, associated trail systems, and climbing area at end of Forest Service Road 525A.

Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area before the Last Chance Fire

As I posted earlier this week the recreation area is closed for the public's safety and to allow time for forest specialists to assess the damage and begin rehabilitative work in the area. The Guadalupe Ranger District will release news once the are has been repaired and is safe for public access.

The following closures remain in effect:

• Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area (closed until further notice due to fire damage)
• HWY 137 at 408
• Dark Canyon Road at Hidalgo Road

Sitting Bull Falls is a unique oasis in the desert. I was there just a few weeks ago enjoying the beautiful scenery and cool desert stream. The picnic area has a few historic CCC buildings and picnic pavilions. I am unsure at this time weather or not any historic buildings have been destroyed.

Click here to read about Sitting Bull Falls and my recent trip there.

Historic CCC Picnic Pavilion at Sitting Bull Falls before the Last Chance Fire

Related Resources:
Sitting Bull Falls closed due to Last Chance burn
InciWeb: Last Chance Fire
NM Fire Info: Last Chance Fire Fact Sheet


Related Posts:
Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area Closed Due to Last Chance Fire
Last Chance Fire Burns in the Guadalupe Mountains
Madera Canyon Trail Closed Due to Fire Danger
Fort Davis Fire Photos - A Special Week in Review
Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.
Davis Mountains Wildfire Update - April 12, 2011
Fire Destroys Parts of Davis Mountains State Park in Texas
Areas of Big Bend National Park Closed Due to Fire Danger

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Balmorhea State Park Closed Due to Fire Danger

Monday afternoon Balmorhea State Park was ordered closed just in case winds send the Rockhouse fire (aka Fort Davis Fire) to the northeast. Even though the town is not currently being threatened by fire, TPWD is trying to stay two steps ahead of the danger. "The evacuation is meant to clear the area of non-residents in the event of an emergency situation."

Balmorhea State Park - Photo credit: Fliker User: Princess Stand in the Rain

Shifting winds are expected to push the fire east and then southeast. If winds continue to shift McDonald Observatory and TNC's Davis Mountain Preserve could be threatened. Sunday night the flames burned down in to Madera Canyon Northwest of Mount Livermore, the highest peak in the Davis Mountains.

“We don’t believe McDonald Observatory is any danger,” said Hannah Farley with Southern Area Incident Management Team, “We did burn-outs Saturday night. They also have a cleared area where there isn’t much to burn if the fire did sweep up”.

Related Resources:
Wind fans the Rock House flames, Balmorhea State Park closed
Inciweb: Rockhouse Fire

Related Posts:
Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area Closed Due to Last Chance Fire
Last Chance Fire Burns in the Guadalupe Mountains
Madera Canyon Trail Closed Due to Fire Danger
Fort Davis Fire Photos - A Special Week in Review
Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.
Davis Mountains Wildfire Update - April 12, 2011
Fire Destroys Parts of Davis Mountains State Park in Texas
Areas of Big Bend National Park Closed Due to Fire Danger


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Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area Closed Due to Last Chance Fire

Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area is closed until future notice due to fire activity in the area. The Last Chance fire began Sunday near the area of the Falls and has spread across 39,000 acres. The fire is currently 20% contained in steep and rugged terrain.

Air Tanker Over Last Chance Fire. Photo courtesy of inciweb

HWY137 is closed at 408 (Dark Canyon Road) by State Police blockade
Dark Canyon Road is closed at Hidalgo Road
Sitting Bull Falls Road is closed.

Last Chance Fire Boundary Map

This fire has really caught my attention. I was at sitting bull falls only a few weeks ago. The fire danger was moderate and the forest service was allowing open campfires. The Last Chance Fire prompted me to compile information about what to do if caught hiking in a wildfire. You can read about it here.

You can read about my recent trip to Sitting Bull Falls here

Related Resources: 
Inciweb: Last Chance Fire
Last Chance Fire Fact Sheet

Related Posts:
Last Chance Fire Burns in the Guadalupe Mountains
Madera Canyon Trail Closed Due to Fire Danger
Fort Davis Fire Photos - A Special Week in Review
Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.
Davis Mountains Wildfire Update - April 12, 2011
Fire Destroys Parts of Davis Mountains State Park in Texas
Areas of Big Bend National Park Closed Due to Fire Danger


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Wildfire Hiking Safety - What to do if Caught Outdoors in a Wildfire

With all the fires burning and trails closing I started thinking about what I would do if caught hiking in a wildfire. I did a little research, consulted the US Forest Service, and a local fire marshal to find out what is the appropriate course of action when caught outdoors in a wildfire.

Be Aware of Active Fires and Fire Danger:
Before you set out to go hiking, camping, or backpacking check local conditions for fire danger and active fires in the area. Don't intentionally put yourself in harms way by trying to see or photograph wildfire. Plan multiple routes with a variety of exits. Inform friends and relatives where you will be hiking and be sure to fill out any available trailhead registers (Firefighters use trailhead registers to search for hikers potentially caught in wildfires) Then stick to your planed route. Don't enter an area that has been closed to camping or hiking due to fire danger. Be prepared with alternate recreation plans and don't hesitate to use them if you sense danger. If there is a burn ban in effect than only use a controlled source of flame like a stove. In extreme cases, all sources of flame may be banned.

Make a Plan:
Be on your guard and look for fires. If you smell or see smoke during the day, or a red and orange glow on the horizon at night, a fire is nearby. Leave the area immediately hiking downhill and upwind. If the fire is close (within a half mile) you may hear cracking or see sparks in the air. When this occurs it may be too late to flee, remember you can't outrun a fire. Instead find a place to make a stand. Look for lakes, ponds, rivers or other wet areas. If none exist look for bridges, ditches, caves, rock overhangs and the largest green grass open area you can find. Sand bars, gravel washes and rocky areas can also offer protection, the bigger the better. Clear out dry brush and other potential fuels. If a bridge or other shelter is unavailable, get to the lowest spot available and lay down. Even a small indention in the ground will increase the odds of the fire passing over without harm. Remove synthetic clothing and gear which can melt to your skin. Cover your head and face with any clothing that is NOT synthetic. Wet a cloth and wrap your face to help avoid breathing in smoke and superheated air.

Stay Calm:
As the fire approaches stay calm. Depending on a number of factors it could take several minutes for the fire to pass. After the fire passes, remember the danger is not over. Burned trees will fall without warning. The Ground and debris will still be hot and can potentially burn you. Notify the authorities as soon as you can and let them know you are off the trail and safe.

Report fires:
Report fires immediately, even if you think someone else already has, and even if you are the cause of the fire.Your quick action can save lives and property.

MyLifeOutdoors and it's authors assume no liability for the use or misuse of this information, which is intended to provide fire safety and emergency guidelines. 

Related Resources:
Firewise: Guidelines for homeowners in fire prone areas.
Anchorage Fire Department: Guidelines for Evacuation and Sheltering in place.
National Interagency Fire Center
Inciweb

Related Posts:
Last Chance Fire Burns in the Guadalupe Mountains
Madera Canyon Trail Closed Due to Fire Danger
Fort Davis Fire Photos - A Special Week in Review
Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.
Davis Mountains Wildfire Update - April 12, 2011
Fire Destroys Parts of Davis Mountains State Park in Texas
Areas of Big Bend National Park Closed Due to Fire Danger 

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Last Chance Fire Burns in the Guadalupe Mountains

A fire has started in the Guadalupe Mountains north of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The fire began in the steep, rocky and inaccessible terrain of the Guadalupe district: Lincoln National Forest and has spread across 10,000 acres into Bureau of Land Management and private lands. The "Last Chance fire" is so named because it started near the Last Chance trail. I was in this area just a few weeks ago visiting Sitting Bull Falls.

The cause of the fire is not yet known and is under investigation. Firefighters were working to keep the fire from spreading farther north and east, winds up to 55 mph are making it difficult. The fire was 0% contained as of 8:00 am this morning.

State Road 137 is closed at Dark Canyon Road, which also is closed at Hidalgo Road.

The Forest Service also reported smoke from the fire was affecting the Carlsbad area and urged anyone with relevant health or respiratory issues to take precautions.

The Lincoln National Forest is also battling the White Fire

Lincoln National Forest has ordered:

• No smoking outside of vehicles, or buildings. No open campfires outside of developed sites.
• Prohibitions for explosives, chainsaw or other internal combustion engines (possibly during certain hours), welding, and using a motor vehicle off forest development roads; further restricts use of campfires.

Last Chance Fire

Other Fires burn outside Ruidoso NM, as well as all across Texas.

Related Posts:
Madera Canyon Trail Closed Due to Fire Danger
Fort Davis Fire Photos - A Special Week in Review
Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.
Davis Mountains Wildfire Update - April 12, 2011
Fire Destroys Parts of Davis Mountains State Park in Texas
Areas of Big Bend National Park Closed Due to Fire Danger 

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Madera Canyon Trail Closed Due to Fire Danger

The Nature Conservancy has closed the Madera Canyon Trail due to fire danger. The Madera Canyon Trail is a privately owned trail on The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountain Preserve. The trail is normally open to the public year round, but considerable lack of rain has caused dangerous conditions on many trails in far west Texas. If significant rain does not occur it is likely the Preserve will close their open weekend scheduled for May 13-15th. We will notify you when we have word. 

Madera Canyon Trail: Photo Credit: Fliker User: chockablockfullstop

The Apline Daily Planet has noted the last measurable rain fall in far west Texas was 0.01 inches on October 23rd 2010. That is 211 days without rain. I passed through a significant thunderstorm on my way back from Dallas yesterday. The rain was refreshing. Unfortunately that storm stayed east of Abaliene.

Extreme and exceptional drought conditions continue to exist in most of Texas. The Fort Davis/Rock house fire continues to burn with 75% contained after scorthing 204,565 acres. Please continue to pray for Rain.

Rock House / Fort Davis Fire Extent

Related Posts:
Fort Davis Fire Photos - A Special Week in Review
Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.
Davis Mountains Wildfire Update - April 12, 2011
Fire Destroys Parts of Davis Mountains State Park in Texas
Areas of Big Bend National Park Closed Due to Fire Danger 



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Mountainsmith Tour Giveaway Results

Happy Easter everyone!. It is time to announce the winner of the Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack. I want to thank YourLUME.com for sponsoring such an amazing giveaway. Be sure and stop by their website and/or facebook and thank them for sponsering the giveaway. Let them know you want to see more giveaways sponsered at MyLifeOutdoors.

Okay! Time for the good news. We had 51 total entries and over 360 pageviews for the giveaway post. Last night I closed the comments and went over to Random.org to select a winner. The random number generator picked the 27th comment which belongs to Jeff. Congradulations.

Jeff if you will e-mail me at steven.outdoors (at) gmail (dot) com with your full name and the mailing address where you would like your new pack sent I will get it to you as quickly as possible. be sure and replace (at) with an @ symbol and (dot) with a period.

Related Posts:
Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack Giveaway
Earth Day Giveaway Ends Tomorrow

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Earth Day Giveaway Ends Tomorrow

I wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow is the last day to enter the Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack giveaway. YourLUME.com has been gracious enough to donate this earth friendly gear for you to win.

Click here for your chance to win a Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack.

And while your at it take the time to thank YourLUME.com and visit their website. YourLUME.com is a great place to buy gear, but that's not all. You can share stories from your own outdoor adventures and read others. In fact, if you share one of your outdoor adventures on the YourLUME.com website they will plant a tree through American Forests. A further testament to their generosity.

And even more generous, YourLUME.com is donating all its proceeds from April 6 through May 5 to Mercy Corps in Japan. If you haven't been by their site you need to just to show your support for what they do.

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Fort Davis Fire Photos - A Special Week in Review

Two days ago the Fort Davis / Rockhouse Fire was still burning with 75% of the fire contained. Fires all across the state continue to burn aided by dry windy conditions. Texas is in desperate need of rain. Please be praying for the people effected by these fires.

I have collected the following photos of Fort Davis Fire. I cannot claim credit, nor do I know who to give credit to. If you are one of the photographers and wish to have your photo properly credited or removed please contact me.

Fire is both a blessing and a curse. In both instances it is very beautiful.

Related Posts:
Last Chance Fire Burns in the Guadalupe Mountains
Madera Canyon Trail Closed Due to Fire Danger
Fort Davis Fire Photos - A Special Week in Review
Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.
Davis Mountains Wildfire Update - April 12, 2011
Fire Destroys Parts of Davis Mountains State Park in Texas
Areas of Big Bend National Park Closed Due to Fire Danger 

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Help Donate Energizer's Money to National Parks Foundation

This week is National Parks Week. Now until April 24th you can receive free admission to all our our National Parks. But what you may not have known is Energizer is a big supporter or our national parks. Now until the end of the week they will donate $1.00 to the National Park Foundation when you text BUNNY to 27722. Energizer’s goal is to donate $400,000 to the National Park Foundation this spring.

If you want to go the extra mile you can donate $10.00 to the National Parks Foundation by purchasing specially marked boxes of Energizer Batteries and Flashlights. Each specially marked box will have a code inside. Collect three codes and redeem them here to donate $10 to the National Parks Foundation. Or if your greedy you can get a $10.00 gift card for yourself. But really...what would you buy with it. Something useless no doubt. So donate to our national parks.

Thank You to Amber for bringing this to my attention. 

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Areas of Big Bend National Park Closed Due to Fire Danger

I'm a little late reporting this, but I just found out Big Bend National Park has closed the High Chisos Backcountry campsites due to extreme fire danger. dispersed (zone) camping in the Blue Creek and Lower Juniper Zones are closed as well. Day hiking is still allowed on the Chisos Mountains trails, but there is a ban on any flame including smoking.

Effects of the recent Fort Davis Fire

The developed campground in the Chisos Basin and the Chisos Mountains Lodge remain open for overnight use. Overnight camping and backpacking is still possible for all other areas of the park, including dispersed camping.

Big Bend reports "The closure is for the protection of the park's resources and to provide for visitor safety due to extreme fire danger within the park and the larger Big Bend region." The closure is expected to last until the fire danger is no longer a threat which will be after the next significant rainfall.

After witnessing the extreme damage caused by the Fort Davis Fires Big Bend is not taking any chances. Firefighters are on severity standby within the park to respond immediately to any wildfire. Visitors are asked to report any indication of wildfire or smoke to a park ranger or visitor center as quickly as possible.

The whole state of Texas needs rain right now.

Related Posts:
Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.
Davis Mountains Wildfire Update - April 12, 2011
Fire Destroys Parts of Davis Mountains State Park in Texas

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Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack Giveaway

In honor of Earth Day this week My Life Outdoors and YourLume.com have teamed up to giveaway a nice piece of gear. By entering below you have the chance to win a Mountainsmith Tour lumbar pack ($70 value). Get out and enjoy the earth with peace of mind because your new Mountainsmith Tour is made from 100% recycled PET. Not Fido, but Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). Mountainsmith claims their recycled PET packs have the "Same performance, comfort and durability you've come to trust, but saving the planet one bag at a time."

Here is how to enter:

* One Entry: Be a follower of MyLifeOutdoors and submit a comment below on this blog post. Only comments on this post count (in other words, comments that you left on my blog a few years back don’t count)
* Two Entries: Put a link on your blog or website (if you have one) to this giveaway post. Or Follow My Life Outdoors on Twitter and tweet/re-tweet this contest giveaway announcement. By simply spreading the word, you get an extra entry. Be sure and comment below letting me know you have done so.
* Three Entries: Like My Life Outdoors on Facebook and share the giveaway post on your Facebook page. Again comment below letting me know you have done so.
* Four Entries: Follow YourLume on Twitter and "Like" YourLume on Facebook. Leave a note on their Facebook wall that says "Thank you for hosting the MyLifeOutdoors.com giveaway". Then leave a comment below so I know you have done so.

That's not too hard is it?. You don't have to do all four but you will have a better chance of winning if you do. Be sure and leave a separate comment for each entry. The contest winner will be chosen by randomly selecting one of the comments on this post. Comments will be open until midnight (central time) Saturday April 23rd. The winner will be announced on Easter Sunday April 24th. Limit four entries per person. Good luck to everyone who enters!

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Davis Mountians State Park Closed Until May 1st.

Davis Mountains State Park and Indian Lodge are closed until May 1st. The fire is no longer a threat to the Park, but...the Park will remain closed as fire crews continue to use the facilities as a staging area.

Photo take from Texas Mountain Trail Daily Photo. (Photo by Mike Micallef )

According to Linda Hedges of TPWD:

"Davis Mountains State Park and Indian Lodge are not taking reservations until May 1 and have cancelled all existing reservations through that date. Will probably be open before then, but as of now the park is a major staging area for the remaining fire crews and it's not yet known when they will be pulling out. In the meantime, the park is closed to all visitation. DPS and Border Patrol are stationed at the gate and not letting the public through. Several folks have wanted to access Skyline Drive for a vista of the burned area but that's not possible just yet." (via Texas Mountain Trail Daily Photo).

Most of the remainder of Fort Davis is open and returning to normal. I spoke to Chris Pipes at TNC's Davis Mountian Preserve who told me the preserve was not effected by the fire. If you live near Fort Davis and are looking for short weekend trip, I'm sure the folks in Fort Davis could use your buisness. Continue to pray for those who have lost their homes.
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Sitting Bull Falls, New Mexico

Since I moved out to West Texas and was introduced to the Guadalupe Mountains, I have wanted to visit Sitting Bull Falls. The Guadalupe Mountains form the highest mountains in Texas and are the focus of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The mountains extend into New Mexico creating the Guadalupe District of Lincoln National Forest. In this “forest” is a rare desert stream that cascades 130 feet over Sitting Bull Falls.

Sitting Bull Falls

 We decided we would head out for a day trip and see the falls. The Family and I woke up early and drove northwest toward Carlsbad NM. As we approached the Desert Mountains I was excited to see the National Forest come into view. As we entered the Lincoln National forest I wondered “where are all the trees?” On the Texas side of the Guadalupe Mountains the high altitudes create a sky island that supports a dense forest of pine, oaks, and maples. I expected the same along this stretch of the range, but as you head further north the trees all seems to fade away. The Guadalupe District, unlike the Sacramento and Smokey Bear districts, is hardly a forest. At least when describing the area around sitting bull falls.

The Guadalupe District of Lincoln National Forest lacks a few trees

I pushed this out of my mind and unloaded the family at the picnic area. It was barely 9:00 am when we took the short paved trail to the base of the falls. Sitting Bull spring, which feeds the falls, is a strong spring. This area has suffered extreme drought with no measurable rain fall for the last 6 months. Even with so little rain, the falls were still flowing. We played around below the falls until it was time for lunch. After which we followed Trail 68 to Sitting Bull Spring.

Sitting Bull Falls

A Cascade below the Falls

Sitting Bull Creek below the Falls

Canyon Walls across from the Falls

Small Cascade below the falls

Sitting Bull Creek below the Falls

Following the trail you climb 130 feet to the top of the falls. There you are greeted by two beautiful and deep pools of near freezing water. We stopped only for a moment before continuing along the trail. Before long we had reached a fence with an s-gate. The ranger told us about a small grotto just off trail near the gate. We went to investigate. Heading down hill from the s-gate we soon found the small grotto. We stopped to sit in the cool shade before continuing on to the spring.

Hiking up above the Falls

A few small pools above the falls

At the top of Sitting Bull Falls

Pools above the Falls

Trail 68

Looking back toward the hidden falls along Trail 68

S-Gate along Trail 68

The Grotto above Sitting Bull Falls

Investigating the Grotto

Sitting in the shade of the Grotto above Sitting Bull Falls

Not even 100 yards past the grotto we came to the spring. It was difficult to tell the exact source due to thick riparian vegetation along the creek. We stopped in the shade of the creek-side trees and dipped our feet in the cool water.

Sitting Bull Spring?

Cascade above the Falls

All in all the hike is a short enjoyable hike along a rare desert stream. The main draw is the falls at the beginning of the trail and most people will spend their time there. This is a very popular area and will be crowded on most weekends. If you wish to swim or wade, I recommend climbing above the falls to the two small pools. It is more likely you will have this area to yourself…but no guarantees. The further upstream you hike the less people you will see.

The well developed picnic area at Sitting Bull Falls

A different view of Sitting Bull Falls

Looking down from above the falls

Additional Information:
Sitting Bull Falls is Day-Use only
Open October 1 - Martch 31: 8:30am to 5:00pm
 and April 1 - September 30: 8:30am to 6:00 pm
Incoming Gate closes 30 minutes before closing time.
$5 per vehicle per day


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