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Scenic view up the Middle Fork of the Gila River.

NPS/Bruce Bloy

Gila National Forest and the Gila Wilderness

The monument is surrounded by the Gila National Forest and lies within the rugged Gila Wilderness, the nation's first wilderness area. The Gila National Forest is administered by the United States Forest Service. 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. We invite you to explore the area on foot or horse, and we remind you to "take only photos and leave only footprints." Please contact us for more information. You can also find out more by visiting the Gila National Forest's website.