Basic Information

Mogollon Miniature Mug with geometric design — Visit the Gila Visitor museum to see this miniature Mogollon mug and other artifacts found in the cliff dwellings by archaeologists.
NPS Photo

Tread lightly, please

The trail from the mouth of Cliff Dweller Canyon up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings follows a stream, up the steep, rocky slope along the cliff side and into three of the six caves. The dwellings were once home to Tularosa Mogollon families.

The one-mile loop trail will let you explore the natural environment that sustained the people, discover the caves carved over time by nature and through rooms with original timber lintels and support beams still intact.

Your help is needed to keep these artifacts, structures, and the human history safe and available for others to see and enjoy:

Stay on the trail for your own safety and to help protect fragile resources and your national heritage.
Do not have food or drink other than water.
Take nothing but photographs.
Within the caves, do not touch the rocks or any building walls.

There is even more to see and do at Gila Cliff Dwellings including a trailhead museum, museum exhibits with artifacts at the visitor center, and a 15-minute video.

Make the most out of your visit by checking out when we're open, how to get here, interpretive programs and special events, weather, and pet regulations.