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Cliff Dwellings Closed June 3 through 7; TJ Site Tours Offered
The Gila Cliff Dwellings will be closed from June 3 through 7, 2013 for hazard rock removal from the cliff face directly above the dwellings. Ranger-guided tours of the TJ Site will be offered at 11 am and 2 pm while the cliff dwellings are closed. More »
Environmental Factors
Rabbit brush in bloom in the Gila Wilderness. NPS Photo by Andrew Herzik Because of its remote location, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the surrounding Gila Wilderness suffer few of the problems that parks closer to urban areas do. There are relatively few invasive species and little air or light pollution. There is seldom any extraneous noise, although some may come on rare occasion from low-flying airliners or rowdy campers. Giardia may be present in the rivers, streams, and springs and therefore all water obtained in the backcountry or from untreated sources should be filtered using a .2 micron filter. Vistas from ridge and mountaintops may be spectular and the weather is usually pleasant during the summer, although it may very hot during the drier months.
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Did You Know?
The Gila Cliff Dwellings were built in the 13th century by the ancient Puebloans of the Mogollon area. They formed the walls using chunks of Gila Conglomerate found within the caves. Mortar was required to keep the walls together. In some places you can still see the handprints of the builders.