National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monumenttesty
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Operating Hours & Seasons

The cliff dwellings and trailhead Contact Station are open every day of the year, including all holidays. The Gila Visitor Center is open every day except Christmas and New Year's days.

Extended Summer Hours
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the trail to the cliff dwellings is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The last visitors for the day are allowed up the trail at 6:00 p.m. and everyone must be off the trail by 7:00 p.m. The visitor center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Regular Hours 
The rest of the year (Tuesday after Labor Day through Thursday before Memorial Day Weekend), the trail to the cliff dwellings is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The last visitors for the day are allowed up the trail at 4:00 p.m. and everyone must be off the trail by 5:00 p.m. The visitor center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The free "Canyon Companion" handout is available at the trailhead Contact Station and staff is present inside the dwellings at all times to answer questions. Visitors are encouraged to attend guided tours and other programs when they are available.

Please note that New Mexico is on Mountain Time and observes Daylight Saving Time unlike Arizona which is on Mountain Time but does not observe Daylight Saving Time. In the summer, Arizona is one hour behind New Mexico while in the winter the two states are on the same time.

Mortar Handprint  

Did You Know?
What today we call the Gila Cliff Dwellings were built in the 13th century by the Mogollon people. 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.

Last Updated: March 14, 2008 at 20:05 EST