Nearby Attractions

The likeness of a dragonfly can be seen etched into a desert rock, surrounded by other petroglyphs. — The dragonfly petroglyph and many other ancient petroglyphs can be found by accessing a 3-mile loop trail at Fort Bayard, just outside Silver City, NM.
NPS Photo by Blake Metcalf

Where Do You Go from Here?

There is a lot to see and do in and around Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument! You can start by exploring the Heart Bar Wildlife Management Area and the village of Gila Hot Springs, both of which are just a few miles down the road. The road itself is part of the beautiful Trail to the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway with many natural and historic sites at which to stop along the way.

Silver City and Mimbres

The closest towns to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument are Silver City at the end of NM 15 and Mimbres at the end of NM 35. Both are over 40 miles away and can take up to 2 hours to reach by car, yet both are well worth the visit. Mimbres is a small community named after the river and valley in which it lies. The name is also shared by another ancient culture which was related to the Cliff Dwellers, and the Mimbres Culture Heritage Center offers information, a small museum and an archaeological site that highlight these incredible people.

Silver City boasts more recent history as it's known for early mining and stories of the wild west. Once home to infamous outlaw Billy the Kid, Silver City is now a quaint southwestern town with many local shops and a booming art scene. Visit the Murray Ryan Visitor Center for all things Silver City, past and present. Also, be sure to check out the Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark just east of town. This site features a unique history, too, as well as miles of hiking and equestrian trails on the surrounding grounds.

Hiking within the Gila National Forest

Want to explore more of the Gila National Forest? Here are some of our favoite hikes within the National Forest. As with all trails whether easy or difficult make sure you are adequately prepared and are aware of weather conditions

Catwalk National Recreation Trail

2 mile out and back
Suspended dramatically along a beautiful canyon and over a cool creek that borders the Gila Wilderness, the Catwalk is a half-mile-long bridge that is universally accessible for all visitors.

Dragonfly Loop Trail

3.4 mile loop
The Dragonfly Loop Trail offers a fun day hike to see amazing views as well as petroglyphs that of course includes dargonflies.

Middle Fork Trail

11.5 mile out and back
Experience a hike with stunning views, hot springs, and you may even spot a beaver at one of the many beaver dams located throughout the trail.

Mineral Creek Trail

13.3 Point to Point (26.6 total)
Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Mineral Creek allows hikers to see the historic mining town of Cooney. It is unlikely that'll you'll come across many hikers while on this trail.

Birding

Do you have an interest in birding? Well your in luck in addition to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Mon ument, New Mexico has numerous options to see more of your feathered friends! Keep in mind that this list does not incloude every place that is good for birding, New Mexico has many great birding locations.

Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Considered to be one of the top birding destinations in New Mexico, Bosque Del Apache is a must stop in all seasons, but during the winter months it is the place to be with thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, and other waterfowl.

Lake Roberts

Lake Roberts is about a 30-45 minute drive from the Monument and is part of the Gila National Forest, and is a great place to see Bald Eagles, waterfowl and more in the winter months, as well as Osprey and numerous songbirds in the summer months. There is no cell reception at Lake Roberts.

Percha Dam State Park

The Rio Grande attracts numerous types of birds, and Percha Dam State Park is no exception, the wooded are surronding the Rio Grande at this state park often brings numerous migrating birds in the spring and fall months and of course more Sandhill Cranes in the winter!

The Catwalk National Recreation Area

Another birding location in the Gila National Forest. The Catwalk Trail is roughly 3 1/2 hours from the monument near Glenwood, NM. You can see the beautiful and captivating American Dipper all year long. In spring and fall you can catch a glimpse of a Hermit Warbler, in addition to other Warblers, flyctachers and more.

Want to learn about other Cliff Dwellings?

Bandelier National Monument

Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged but beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back over 11,000 years. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Today the massive buildings of the Ancestral Puebloan people still testify to the organizational and engineering abilities not seen anywhere else in the American Southwest. For a deeper contact with the canyon that was central to thousands of people between 850 and 1250 CE, come and explore Chaco through guided tours, hiking & biking trails, evening campfire talks, and night sky programs.

Mesa Verde National Park

For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 26 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. This World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth.

Hot Springs in the Gila

Gila Hot Springs

Gila Hot Springs is a commercial hot springs located roughly 4 miles from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in the town of Gila Hot Springs, and does charge a 7$/ per person per day fee.

Jordan Hot Springs

Jordan Hot Springs is located in the Gila Wilderness and is a roughly 7 mile hike from the TJ Corrall, be aware that there are many water crossings whether going to Jordan Hot Springs through TJ Corral or the Middle Fork Trail

Lightfeather Hot Springs

Lightfeather Hot Spring is a relatively short distance from the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor center. Starting from the Middle Fork trailhead Lightfeather Hot Springs is roughly .75 miles from the trailhead and haas 2 water crossings.

Melanie Hot Springs

Probably considered to be one of the more hidden hot springs in the area, Melanie Hot Springs can be accessed through the 724 trail- Gila River Trail at Grapevine Campground. The trail to Melanie Hot Springs is roughly a 3.4 mile out and back trail.

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

26 Jim Bradford Trail
Mimbres, NM 88049

Phone:

575-536-9461

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