Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is a U.S. National Monument created to protect Mogollon cliff dwellings in the Gila Wilderness on the headwaters of the Gila River in southwest New Mexico. The 533-acre national monument was established by President Theodore Roosevelt through executive proclamation on November 16, 1907. It is located in the extreme southern portion of Catron County.
Cliff Dwellings Trail
The one-mile loop trail to and through the cliff dwellings climbs 180 feet above the canyon floor to an elevation close to 6000 feet. Allow a minimum of one hour for the round-trip hike. The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Views of the some of cliff dwellings are possible after a 1/4-mile hike in the canyon bottom. The trail that continues to the dwellings is steep and rocky in places and can be muddy or icy at times. Wear sturdy shoes, pace yourself (use the benches), and carry water. The trail to the cliff dwellings is open starting at 9 am. Visitors must start the trail by 4 pm and exit the monument by 5 pm.
Considered by archaeologists to be on the northernmost portion of the Mogollon People’s sphere of influence, the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is home to two prominent ruins sites among a collection of smaller sites located within the Gila Wilderness inside the Gila National Forest. The Monument landscape ranges in elevation from around 5,700 to 7,300 feet above sea level and follows the branches of the Gila River. The terrain around the ruins is rugged and arid, and contains steep-sided canyons cut by shallow spring rivers and mesas and bluffs forested with Ponderosa pine, Gambel’s oak, Douglas fir, New Mexico juniper, pinon pine, and alligator juniper (among others). The area geologic history stems from the Oligocene epoch and volcanic activity that subsequently covered the area with ash. The Monument’s hot springs are remnants of this volcanic history.
Where it is:
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is located in the southwestern part of New Mexico, near Silver City. Although the monument is only 44 miles north of Silver City on New Mexico Highway 15, the narrow road is over windy, mountainous terrain. Travel time is approximately one and a half to two hours one way.
The roads approaching the monument are not plowed or maintained at night or on weekends, please use caution if traveling at these times.
By Car
Most visitors come from Silver City. Begin in Silver City on US Highway 180/Silver Heights Boulevard should take Pinos Altos Road which becomes New Mexico Highway 15 North. NM 15 begins in Silver City and only heads north. Continue for 42 miles until you reach the Gila Visitor Center. To reach the dwellings turn left just before reaching the visitor center and continue for 2 miles until the road ends.
The first 25 miles of NM 15 are narrow with steep sections of 10-12% grade for several miles and no center dividing line exists. Vehicles should use lower gears when driving to avoid overheating brakes and stay as far right as possible, especially on tight curves. An alternative route is New Mexico Highway 35.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
GPS:
33°13’45.948″ N 108°15’53.94″ W
Hours:
The trail to the Gila Cliff Dwellings is open to the public from 9 am to 4 pm. All visitors and staff must be off the trail and out of the Monument by 5 pm.
The Gila Cliff Dwellings, Gila Visitor Center and Gila Cliff Dwellings Trailhead Museum are open every day of the year except: Thanksgiving Day (the 4th Thursday of November), Christmas Day (December 25th), and New Year’s Day (January 1st) .
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
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Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
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