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Gila Cliff Dwellings National MonumentView of canyon through the cliff dwellings
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Welcome to Gila Cliff Dwellings

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse into the homes and lives of the Mogollon people who lived in this area over 700 years ago.

 
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Gila National Forest

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.
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Temporary Closings of Road Portions, Some Parking Lots, and Two Camping Areas - LIFTED

Until permanent repairs to the West Fork bridge have been made, the last one mile of road to the Cliff Dwellings may be closed except for day-use vehicle traffic if flooding rains are anticipated. This closure would be between 5:00 PM and 8:00 AM. In this case the Cliff Dwellings parking lot and the Upper and Lower Scorpion campgrounds parking areas would be day-use (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) only for tours and picnicking, with no overnight camping or parking. The parking lots at the West Fork Trail Head (to USFS Trail 151) and the TJ Corral and Trail Head (USFS Trail 729) would be open only for walk-in use by hikers and backpackers, with parking for those users available at Woody's Corral.

Woody's Corral and the Trail Head (USFS Trail 160) parking area, just before the West Fork Bridge, are open for day and overnight camping and parking. Also open for day and overnight parking are the Visitor Center parking lot and the Middle Fork Trail Head (USFS Trail 157) parking area.

Any closings and restrictions would remain until flood threats have ceased, and could be expanded as conditions change. Please call the Visitor Center at 575-536-9461 for up to date information.

 
 

Write to

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
HC 68 Box 100
Silver City, New Mexico 88061

E-mail Us

Phone

Gila Visitor Center
(575) 536-9461

Fax

(575) 536-9344

Climate

The park has a mild climate, with a rainy season usually from July through August. Spring and Fall have moderate days and cool nights. Winter months often have nice afternoons with cold mornings and nights.
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Cliff Dwelling Vigas  

Did You Know?
The stone axes made it challenging for the Mogollon to cut down trees for vigas (roof beams) in the Gila Cliff Dwellings. So, before chopping the tree trunks, they would burn a small fire around the base of the trunk to weaken it so their axes could cut it down more easily.

Last Updated: October 20, 2009 at 15:44 EST