• Visitors hike along the base of the Gila Cliff Dwellings.

    Gila Cliff Dwellings

    National Monument New Mexico

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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 »

Things To Do

Activities

Activities in the monument include bird watching, fishing, hiking, interpretive programs, nature walks, stargazing, and wildlife viewing.

Activities in the wilderness include backpacking, bird watching, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, stargazing, and wildlife viewing.

Guided Tours

A guided tour of the Gila Cliff Dwellings is usually offered daily at 1 pm. Please note that the tour begins at the cliff dwellings, approximately one-half mile from the Gila Cliff Dwellings trailhead. Please plan to depart from the trailhead 20 to 40 minutes before 1 pm in order to make the tour on time. Guided tours are subject to staff availability. Guided tours are not offered on busy holiday weekends when higher visitation to the dwellings makes guided tours impractical. Self-guided tours are available throughout monument hours.

Call the Gila Visitor Center during business hours at 575-536-9461 to get the latest informaton.

Hiking

Hiking in the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness areas is a popular activity. Call ahead for weather conditions and backcountry water availability.

Hot Springs

There are several popular hot springs in the area. The closest wilderness hot spring, Lightfeather, is a 20-minute walk from the Gila Visitor Center. The most popular is Jordan, a 6 or 8 mile hike from the Visitor Center, depending upon the trailhead used. Private hot springs are also located in the community of Gila Hotsprings, four miles from the Monument. Use caution if entering the hot springs. Hot springs may contain an amoeba that may cause a form of meningitis that can be fatal. Don't get water up your nose.

Did You Know?

Hummingbird

Seven different types of hummingbirds are seen at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the Gila National Forest: blue-throated hummingbird, magnificent hummingbird, black-chinned hummingbird, anna’s hummingbird, calliope hummingbird, broad-tailed hummingbird, and rufous hummingbird.