Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila Cliff Dwellings protects rooms built in five caves above a side canyon of the Gila River in southwestern New Mexico, lived in for a generation or two around 1300. A 1-mile (1.6 km) loop climbs into the caves, and the monument is surrounded by the Gila Wilderness, the first designated wilderness in the world.
Fast facts
- Established: 1907
- Size: about 533 acres (216 ha)
- Builders: the Mogollon people, in the late 1200s
- Surroundings: the Gila Wilderness, designated in 1924
- Gateway: Silver City, New Mexico, 44 miles (71 km) south
- Managed by: the National Park Service, within Gila National Forest
The landscape
The monument sits in a canyon of ponderosa pine and cottonwood where Cliff Dweller Creek meets the West Fork of the Gila River. The dwellings are built of stone in natural caves in the cliff. Around them stretch the Mogollon Mountains and the forks of the Gila, with hot springs along the rivers.
Best time to go
Spring and fall are best. Summer is hot, around 90°F (32°C) and sometimes near 100°F (38°C), with afternoon thunderstorms. Winter can bring snow and temperatures near 0°F (-18°C).
Getting there and around
From Silver City, NM Highway 15 runs 44 miles (71 km) north to the monument, a narrow, winding mountain road that takes up to two hours. RVs and trailers should use the longer route through San Lorenzo on NM 35 instead.
Things to do
The 1-mile (1.6 km) loop trail follows Cliff Dweller Creek and climbs into the caves, where visitors can walk through the rooms. The visitor center, about 2 miles (3 km) away, has exhibits on the Mogollon.
The monument is the gateway to the Gila Wilderness. From nearby trailheads, backpackers follow the Middle Fork and West Fork of the Gila River for days, wading the river many times and soaking in hot springs, such as Jordan Hot Springs on the Middle Fork.
Staying safe
The trail climbs steps and ladders to the caves. River routes in the wilderness involve dozens of crossings, dangerous in high water and flash floods. Summer thunderstorms bring lightning. Services are far away.
Know before you go
There is no entrance fee. Two small campgrounds near the monument are free and first come, first served. Overnight trips into the wilderness follow Gila National Forest rules. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm road and river conditions with the National Park Service before you go.
- Coordinates
- 33.2273, -108.2588
- Magnetic declination
- 8.3° E (2026)
Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.
How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass
A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.
Getting there 1
Visitor centre
Sights 2
Heritage sites
Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).
Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →
- Best seasons
- Spring, Fall
- Difficulty
- Easy to strenuous
- Access / trailheads
- NM Highway 15, 44 miles (71 km) from Silver City (winding; no RVs or trailers); longer route via NM 35.
- Water
- At the visitor center and campgrounds; treat river water.
- Cell / satellite coverage
- None in most of the area.
- Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
- Emergencies: 911. Visitor center: 575-323-2904.
- Permits & regulations
- No entrance fee. Free first-come campgrounds nearby.
- Leave No Trace
- Stay on the trail, never climb on walls, and in the wilderness camp away from the rivers and pack out all waste.
January
- Below-freezing nights
- Day-to-night swing of 40°F (22°C)Day-to-night swing of 22°C (40°F)
February
- Below-freezing nights
- Day-to-night swing of 38°F (21°C)Day-to-night swing of 21°C (38°F)
March
- Below-freezing nights
- Day-to-night swing of 41°F (23°C)Day-to-night swing of 23°C (41°F)
April
- Below-freezing nights
- Day-to-night swing of 43°F (24°C)Day-to-night swing of 24°C (43°F)
May
- Day-to-night swing of 45°F (25°C)Day-to-night swing of 25°C (45°F)
June
- Hot days
- Day-to-night swing of 46°F (26°C)Day-to-night swing of 26°C (46°F)
July
- Day-to-night swing of 36°F (20°C)Day-to-night swing of 20°C (36°F)
August
- Day-to-night swing of 34°F (19°C)Day-to-night swing of 19°C (34°F)
September
- Day-to-night swing of 38°F (21°C)Day-to-night swing of 21°C (38°F)
October This month
- Day-to-night swing of 42°F (23°C)Day-to-night swing of 23°C (42°F)
November
- Below-freezing nights
- Day-to-night swing of 41°F (23°C)Day-to-night swing of 23°C (41°F)
December
- Below-freezing nights
- Day-to-night swing of 38°F (21°C)Day-to-night swing of 21°C (38°F)
What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.
Plan a trip here →Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Gila Hot Springs station, 4 miles (6 km)6 km (4 miles) away at 5,636 feet (1,718 m)1,718 m (5,636 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.
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Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.
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