get some rest, and if you're looking for some flowing water? Try Pinos Altos Creek.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is a common place to spend time for the residents of Pinos Altos. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is a fine wilderness vicinity that is popular
with people from far and near.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse of the homes and lives of the people of the Mogollon culture who lived in the Gila Wilderness from the 1280s through the early 1300s. The surroundings probably look today very much
like they did when the cliff dwellings were inhabited. It is surrounded by the Gila National Forest and lies at the edge of the Gila Wilderness, the nation's first designated wilderness area. This designation means that the wilderness character of the area will not be altered by
the intrusion of roads or other evidence of human presence. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, containing 533 acres, was established on November 16, 1907. Administration of the monument was transferred from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the U.S. Department of
the Interior on August 10, 1933. In the spring of 1975, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service signed a cooperative agreement whereby the Gila National Forest is responsible for administration of the monument. CONTACTS
Email - GICL_Administration@nps.gov Fax- 505-536-9461 Write to
HC 68 Box 100
Silver City, NM 88061 Phone
Visitor Information - (505) 536-9461
Visitor Information - (505) 536-9344
FaxRecorded Message - (505)536-9461
TRAVEL
BASICS
Operating Hours, Seasons
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the cliff dwellings trail is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the visitor center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The rest of the year, the cliff dwellings trail is open 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m., and the visitor center is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Getting There
CAR - Take State Highway 15 north from Silver City. Although the distance from Silver City is only 42 miles, the travel time is approximately two hours due to twisting and winding mountain
terrain. An alternative route from Silver City is along NM State Hwy 35 and goes through the Mimbres Valley. It is less winding, easier to travel, and takes about the same amount of time as State Highway 15. However, it is 25 miles longer. We recommend Hwy 35 if your vehicle, travel
trailer, or RV is over 20 ft in length. BUS - We recommend Hwy 35 if your vehicle, travel trailer, Bus, or RV is over 20 ft in length. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - No public transportation. Weather & Climate
Mild climate, with rainy season being from July
to August. Spring and Fall have moderate days and cool nights. Winter months often have nice afternoons with cold mornings and nights. Accessibility
Trail to the Past is handicapped accessible (for viewing of pictographs) as is the visitor center. Because the 1-mile
loop trail through the cliff dwellings is steep in places and winds to and through cliff dweller canyon, it is not considered accessible. Getting Around
The cliff dwellings parking lot and trail head is about one mile from the visitors' center. We suggest driving or
riding a bycicle, however many people walk the distance. FEES/PERMITS
Entrance Fee
CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER
Free! for Annual
INDIVIDUAL
$3.00
MORE THAN FOUR ADULTS PER FAMILY
$10.00 for One Time
VISITORS
13 AND OVER
$3.00 for One Time
Local Passport
GOLDEN AGE, GOLDEN EAGLE, GOLDEN ACCESS, NATIONAL PARKS PASS, GOLDEN EAGLE HOLOGRAM
Free!
CAMPING
Forks Campground
Open All Year
The Forks Campground provides
primitive camping opportunities along the West Fork of the Gila River. The Forks Campground is located approximately six miles south of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument just off NM State Hwy 15 and just north of the Gila River Bridge. The only water available is from
the West Fork and must be either filtered or boiled. No tables or grills provided. Four pit toilets are available on site. Camping is free of charge and is based upon a first come first served basis.
Grapevine Campground
Open All Year
The Grapevine Campground
provides primitive camping opportunities along the West Fork of the Gila River. The Grapevine Campground is located approximately six miles south of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument just off NM State Hwy 15 and just south of the Gila River Bridge. The only water available
is from the West Fork and must be either filtered or boiled. No tables or grills provided. Two pit toilets are available on site. Camping is free of charge and is based upon a first come first served basis.
Lower Scorpion Campground
Open All Year
The Lower Scorpion
Campground is located on the north side of NM State Hwy 15 and within 1/4 of a mile from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument parking lot. The Lower Scorpion Campground offers developed campsites with picnic tables, grills, running water, and flush toilets. Camping at the
Lower Scorpion is free and is based upon a first come first served basis. Also, from the Lower Scorpion Campground parking lot, visitors may access the 'Trail To the Past'. This trail accesses a two room cliff dwelling as well as some very interesting pictograph rock art. Trail
to the Past is handicapped accessible (for viewing of pictographs only)
Upper Scorpion Campground
Open All Year
The Upper Scorpion Campground offers developed campsites with picnic tables, grills, running water, and flush toilets. Camping at the Upper Scorpion
is free and is based upon a first come first served basis.
FACILITIES
Visitor Centers
GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NATIONAL MONUMENT (CAVES AND CLIFF DWELLINGS)
Open All Year
Memorial Day til Labor Day 8:00am til 7:00pm
Labor Day til Memorial
Day 9:00am - 4:00pm
Phone - 505-536-9461
GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NATIONAL MONUMENT VISITORS CENTER
Open All Year
Memorial Day - Labor Day 8:00am - 7:00pm
Labor Day - Memorial Day 9:00am - 4:00pm
Phone - 505-536-9461
Exhibits - We offer
a small museum of artifacts from the Cliff dwellings and the immediate surrounding area. We also have an Apache exhibit since the Apache people occupied the area for approximately 125 - 150 years after the Mogollon abandoned the cliff dwellings. We also offer a 15 minute video.
Access to the visitor center and the video is free of charge.
Available Facilities - Comfortable handicap accessible male and female restrooms are available at the visitors center.
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