Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Over 700 years ago, the Mogollon people made their homes and lived in the area now known as Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. The monument is surrounded by the Gila National Forest and lies within the rugged Gila Wilderness, the nation's first wilderness area. The wilderness designation means that the wilderness character of the area will not be altered by the intrusion of roads or other evidence of human presence.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Steve RileyPhone Number: 505-536-9461
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass $3; Family Pass: $3
Sights: Gila River; Jordan Hot Springs; Lightfeather Hot Springs;
Important Dates
By The Numbers
Acres: 533.13Annual Visitation: 40,510 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :36.995010 / -94.315990 (map it)
State: NM
Nearby Big City: Silver City, NM
Gateway Communities: Pinos Altos, NM; Silver City, NM; Arenas Valley, NM
Nearby Airports: Tuscan International Airport (TUS); El Paso International Airport (ELP)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Gila Cliff Dwelling
Gary L. Brewer
Gila Cliff Dwellings, 1...
National Park Service
Gila Cliff Dwellings, 3...
National Park Service
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In Detail
Animals Birds The great ecological diversity of the Gila National Forest provides for a remarkably varied bird fauna; 166 species are known to breed in the Gila, 114 others are more or less regular non-breed ... read more.
Camping Camping Camping is available in the surrounding Gila National Forest. Forks Campground Open All Year The Forks Campground provides primitive camping opportunities along the West and East Forks of th ... read more.
In A Nutshell Getting Around The Cliff Dwellings parking lot and trailhead is two miles from the Visitor Center. Visitor Centers Gila Visitor Center Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day 8:00 a.m. - 5: ... read more.
Just For Kids FOR KIDS Junior Ranger Program at Gila Cliff Dwellings Pick up a Junior Ranger book (for kids ages 7-12) or a Jr. Junior Ranger handout (for kids 6 or younger) at the Visitor Center or Contact Stat ... read more.
Lodging & Dining Lodging The nearest lodging is located in Gila Hotsprings located approximately 4 miles from the monument. Gila Hotsprings RV Park Apartments 575-536-9551 Wilderness Lodge 575-536-9749 Other lodging ... read more.
Natural World Natural Features & Ecosystems Within a few miles of the cliff dwellings, elevations range from around 5,700 to 7,300 feet above sea level. In the immediate vicinity of the cliff dwellings, elevations ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Accessibility Accessibility Due to the roughness and elevation gains of the one mile trail to the Cliff Dwellings, this trail is not wheelchair accessible. The trail to the Cliff Dwellings is not pa ... read more.
Plants Plants Some of the most common trees are Ponderosa pine, Gambel's oak, Douglas fir, New Mexico juniper, pinon pine, and alligator juniper. Cactus are common, with the most frequently observed being p ... read more.
Preservation Centennial Celebration Throughout 2007, Gila Cliff Dwellings' theme Celebrating a Century of Storytelling will guide the special events and programs at the monument, leading up to the actual 100th an ... read more.
Things To Do Guided Tours Guided tours of the cliff dwellings are offered twice daily from mid-spring to mid-fall at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and once daily during the winter at 12:00 p.m. Please note that the to ... read more.
Gila Cliff Dwellings In Depth
News from the Parks
Light Pollution Harms Not Just Stargazers
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
Tourists Bite on ‘Twilight’ Vampire Tours of Forks, Washington
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
Crowds Observe World AIDS Day In GG Park
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
Grounded in God, Green and Glaciers
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Smokies' Formation Began 500 Million to 600 Million Years Ago
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
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