Bluff Springs Waterfall is a spring-fed cascade where water flows out of a marsh and plunges over a fern- and moss-covered bluff in the Sacramento Mountains about 8 miles from Cloudcroft. It is reached by a short trail off Rio Penasco Road in the Lincoln National Forest.
Its water comes from Rio Penasco headwaters. You'll find it in Otero, New Mexico. It is protected within Lincoln National Forest (USFS).
This is a short hike waterfall: reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. A short walk gets you to the viewpoint, so it works for most casual visitors and families. Base a visit out of Cloudcroft, the closest town.
When to go: Spring snowmelt and after summer rains. Expect the strongest flow in spring and after big storms, with a quieter trickle by late summer; confirm current conditions with the land manager before committing to the drive.
