Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: New Mexico
📘 Park Overview
For thousands of years, groups of nomads used the caves above Cliff Dweller Creek as temporary shelter. In the late 1200s, people of the agricultural Mogollon (Southern Ancestral Pueblo) culture made it a home. They built rooms, crafted pottery and raised children in the cliff dwellings for one or two generations. By approximately 1300, the Mogollon had moved on, leaving the walls behind.
🌤 Weather Information
Weather is extremely variable. Summers are usually around 90° F. but approach 100° F. Winters have occasional snow or temperatures near 0° F. Thunderstorms are common in the summer and early fall, usually in the afternoon. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.2296&lon=-108.2639#.YUX0_SuSmUk
🚗 Directions
Passenger vehicles can drive north of Silver City, New Mexico to the monument on NM Hwy 15. The 46 mile trip can take up to two hours due to the narrow and mountainous curving nature of the road. RVs and vehicles pulling trailers should NOT use NM Hwy 15. From Silver City, take US Highway 180 to Santa Clara. Turn left onto NM Hwy 152 and drive to San Lorenzo. At San Lorenzo, turn left onto NM Hwy 35 and follow it to its termination at NM Hwy 15. Turn right on NM Hwy 15 and follow signs to the park.
Images
Visitors enjoy panoramic views of the canyon and dwellings at Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Credit: NPS/Janice Wei
Tularosa Phase Mogollon people made these caves their home in the late 1200's.
Credit: NPS Photo
Most of the dwellings walls are original. Some even preserve a builder's fingerprints that are over 700 years old.
Credit: NPS Photo
The T-shaped door suggests trade between Mogollon and Ancestral Puebloan.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Oldest Wilderness Area in the United States Awaits.
Credit: NPS Photo
Winter wonderland along the Gila River
Credit: NPS Photo/VIP Janice Wei
As the first designated Wilderness Area, the Gila offers endless opportunites peaceful reflection.
Credit: NPS Photo/Janice Wei
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Tuesday, Mar 10
Moderate rain
High: 53.1°F | Low: 40.3°F
Humidity: 81%
Wind: 17 mph
Rain Chance: 81%
UV Index: 0.7
Sunrise: 07:30 AM
Sunset: 07:18 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (63%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 41°F
Cloud Cover: 81%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Mar 11
Sunny
High: 67.5°F | Low: 38.5°F
Humidity: 53%
Wind: 12.5 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.8
Sunrise: 07:29 AM
Sunset: 07:18 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (54%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 42.2°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Mar 12
Sunny
High: 66.9°F | Low: 41.4°F
Humidity: 38%
Wind: 9.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.6
Sunrise: 07:27 AM
Sunset: 07:19 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (44%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 41.4°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Gila Bird and Nature Walk
Grab your binoculars (if you have them) and join us on a walk through the wild Gila on a search for birds, wildlife and flowers. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. We will be walking around on trails and sometimes on pavement.
Location: Meet in front of the bookstore at the trailhead for the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Date: Mar 2, 2026 12:00am to Mar 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Walk of Dwellings
Allow at least 30 minutes to hike up to the cliff dwellings. The trail leading to the dwellings is about 1/2 mile over rocky and uneven terrain with 180-foot elevation gain.
Join a ranger on a 45-minute guided walk of the cliff dwellings to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Gila Forks region. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring only water.
Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Location: Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Date: Mar 2, 2026 12:00am to Mar 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Walk of Dwellings
Allow at least 30 minutes to hike up to the cliff dwellings. The trail leading to the dwellings is about 1/2 mile over rocky and uneven terrain with 180-foot elevation gain.
Join a ranger on a 45-minute guided walk of the cliff dwellings to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Gila Forks region. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring only water.
Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Location: Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Date: Mar 3, 2026 12:00am to Mar 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Walk of Dwellings
Allow at least 30 minutes to hike up to the cliff dwellings. The trail leading to the dwellings is about 1/2 mile over rocky and uneven terrain with 180-foot elevation gain.
Join a ranger on a 45-minute guided walk of the cliff dwellings to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Gila Forks region. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring only water.
Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Location: Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Date: Mar 3, 2026 12:00am to Mar 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Walk of Dwellings
Allow at least 30 minutes to hike up to the cliff dwellings. The trail leading to the dwellings is about 1/2 mile over rocky and uneven terrain with 180-foot elevation gain.
Join a ranger on a 45-minute guided walk of the cliff dwellings to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Gila Forks region. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring only water.
Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Location: Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Date: Mar 4, 2026 12:00am to Mar 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Walk of Dwellings
Allow at least 30 minutes to hike up to the cliff dwellings. The trail leading to the dwellings is about 1/2 mile over rocky and uneven terrain with 180-foot elevation gain.
Join a ranger on a 45-minute guided walk of the cliff dwellings to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Gila Forks region. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring only water.
Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Location: Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Date: Mar 4, 2026 12:00am to Mar 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
The Gila and its People
Join a ranger to learn more about the 2,000 years of human occupation and cultural development of the Gila Forks region.
Location: Meet at the picnic tables behind the WNPA bookstore at the trailhead for the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Date: Mar 4, 2026 12:00am to Mar 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Walk of Dwellings
Allow at least 30 minutes to hike up to the cliff dwellings. The trail leading to the dwellings is about 1/2 mile over rocky and uneven terrain with 180-foot elevation gain.
Join a ranger on a 45-minute guided walk of the cliff dwellings to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Gila Forks region. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring only water.
Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Location: Meet up at the cliff dwellings.
Date: Mar 5, 2026 12:00am to Mar 5, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Life in the Cliff Dwellings
Ever wonder what life was like over 750 years ago? Come join a ranger to learn more about the daily lives of the peole who built the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Location: Meet at the picnic area behind the bookstore at the trailhead for the cliff dwellings.
Date: Mar 5, 2026 12:00am to Mar 5, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Gila Bird and Nature Walk
Grab your binoculars (if you have them) and join us on a walk through the wild Gila on a search for birds, wildlife and flowers. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. We will be walking around on trails and sometimes on pavement.
Location: Meet in front of the bookstore at the trailhead for the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Date: Mar 5, 2026 12:00am to Mar 5, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
26 Jim Bradford Trail
Mimbres, NM 88049
🏤 Mailing Address:
26 Jim Bradford Trail
Mimbres, NM 88049
📞 Voice Phone: (575) 323-2904
📞 Fax Phone: 575-536-9344
✉️ Email: gicl_information@nps.gov