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Published on July 18, 2024. Last Updated on March 14, 2026.
If you are visiting the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico and you are looking for a unique and adventurous hiking experience, look no further than the Middle Fork Trail. This fun trail follows the Gila River as it winds through the mountains. However, before you embark on this journey, there are some important tips to keep in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable hike. Buddy and I are happy to share our 5 simple tips for hiking the Middle Fork Trail.
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Buddy and I love hiking. And we knew that while visiting the Gila National Forest that we wanted to do a fun hike. After visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings of course! And that is exactly what we did. After driving up from Silver City, NM in the morning and spending some time visiting (and hiking!) the Gila Cliff Dwellings, we set of on the hike of the Middle Fork Trail. We stopped at the Visitor Center before our hike where we got some helpful information for our hiking adventure!
Our #1 hiking must have! A comfortable and practical hiking backpack.
The details: Hiking Middle Fork Trail in the Gila National Forest
Middle Fork Trail is a 11.5 mile out and back trail in the Gila Wilderness. The trail has a grand total of 32 stream crossings and is rated as moderate. The trailhead is located at the TJ Corral which is one mile from the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center.
Fun Fact! The Gila Wilderness was the first designated wilderness area in the world. Learn more here.
If you would like to hike in a loop, the Middle Fork Trail connects to Little Bear Canyon Trail for a 16 mile loop. The Little Bear Canyon Trail is subject to flash floods during the summer monsoon season. So make sure to take extra precautions if you hike this loop between June and August.
Our Middle Fork Trail hike
Buddy and I hiked Middle Fork Trail on a Saturday in early June. This was after visiting (and hiking) the Gila Cliff Dwellings. We arrived at the trailhead at TJ Corral after a picnic lunch. We set out on our hike at 1:40pm. The weather was lovely in that it wasn’t too hot. However, there were forest fires in the area. And towards the end of our hike, the winds changed and smoke filled the valleys where we were hiking. There was smoke on the waters of the Gila!
Why not the full hike?
Unfortunately, we did not do the entire hike. Because we camped on the outskirts of Silver City instead of in the Gila Wilderness, I wanted to make it back down to our campsite with enough daylight to cook dinner. Given that it is an hour and a half (on NM Highway 15) or a 2 hour drive (avoiding the very curvy highway) between the Gila Wilderness and Silver City, we did not have time to do the full hike. But, we both enjoyed this hike and would love to go back and do the entire trail!
All in all, we hiked for exactly two hours, an hour up and an hour back down. We finished our hike at 3:45pm and did a total of 5 river crossings each way for a total of 10. We did not make it anywhere near the Little Bear Canyon Trail or the Jordan Hot Springs. As we were short on time, we chose to skip the Lightfeather Hot Springs.
It was a nice quiet hike. There were only a handful of other hikers on the trail. It was a pretty hike and the water was refreshing.
5 Simple Tips for Hiking Middle Fork Trail
1. Bring Hiking Water Shoes
This is our number one tip for hiking the Middle Fork Trail. Hiking Water Shoes for this trail is a must! The shoes are necessary to do the 32 stream crossings in a quick and efficient manner.
Buddy and I were not prepared to cross the Gila River on this hike! Simply put, we left our hiking water shoes at home. As desert dwellers, we don’t often hike in areas with streams and rivers that actually have flowing water! We did not consider that the mountains of Southeast New Mexico might have streams of running water. And we left our hiking water shoes at home.
Big mistake! The Gila River was deep enough and wide enough that we could not hop a few rocks to get a cross. Without hiking water shoes, we decided to take our shoes off and walk across the river. (And yes, I realize this can be dangerous). After a few stream crossings, it became very tedious taking off our socks and shoes, crossing the river, then putting socks and shoes back again on wet feet.
After a few crossings, Buddy gave up taking his shoes on and off, and to my dismay, he began crossing the river with his new Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boots. I kept taking on and off my Merrell’s.
Needless to say, this slowed us down A LOT. We had hikers in hiking water shoes passing us at river crossings. It was quite the adventure!
Both Buddy and I want to return and do the hike with water shoes. These are the water shoes we left at home: My shoes and Buddy’s shoes.
2. Be mindful of the Gila River’s water levels
Depending on the season, the water levels of the Gila River can vary significantly. During Spring snowmelt or Summer monsoon season, river crossings can be deep and swift-moving. It’s important to assess water levels before attempting any crossings and to use caution when navigating through streams.
Buddy and I hiked Middle Fork Trail in early June, in the time after peak snow melt and before second summer’s monsoon storms. The river was about calf high and we did not experience any swift moving water during our crosses.
Pro Tip: Check the weather and the river conditions before setting out on this hike.
However, when researching the hike, we learned that the water levels can get very deep and swift for easy crossing depending on the season. For that reason, we spoke with a ranger about the hike at the visitor’s center to ask about the river that day. And we were advised that it was a great time to do the hike as water levels were low and rain was not in the forecast that day.
3. Watch out for wildlife
The Gila National Forest is home to a variety of wildlife species, including bears and wolves. Hikers should be aware of their surroundings at all times and take precautions such as carrying bear spray and making noise while hiking to avoid surprising any animals.
When we hiked the Middle Fork Trail, luckily we did not see any wildlife. However, there were signs posted at the trailhead warning about the presence of Lobos, or Mexican Gray Wolves, in the area. The sign gave specific information about what we can and cannot do if we come into contact with a wolf on the trail.
Luckily, I had our bear spray handy and we made a point to make a lot of noise when we hiked. This was important because there were not a lot of other hikers on the trail. And we had not yet purchased a bear bell. Which we did before visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
It is important to note that there are black bears and snakes can also sometimes be found on the trail. So hike with caution.
4. Download offline maps
Offline maps are important to have when you set off on your hike on Middle Fork Trail. Why? This is because there are no trail markers on the trail! And, if you hike in the summer, chances are the vegetation hides any cairns that help note where the trail continues after crossing the river. So if you do not want to get lost, or guess about which path to take, make sure to download offline maps for your hike.
Pro Tip: The Visitor’s Center has maps for a fee. If you don’t want to buy a paper map, take a photo of the maps they display instead.
During our hike, I downloaded an offline google map of the trail. And I also took a photo of the trail that was on display at the Visitor Center for quick reference as well. Fortunately, we did not need the offline maps as the trail was pretty clear, even with all of the overgrowth. There were only a few river crossings where there seemed to be multiple trails on the other side of the river bank. But we managed to figure it out.
5. Use the restroom at the Visitor’s Center
Before hitting the trail, make sure to stop by the visitor center located one mile away from the start of the trail at TJ Corral. The Visitor Center has nice flush toilets. This will be your last chance to use clean restroom facilities before heading out into the wilderness.
During our hike, Buddy and I did not see any facilities at the trailhead. And the official US Forest Service website states that the toilets are closed. To be safe, use the restroom at the visitor center before you head out. Which is exactly what Buddy and I did before our hike. Or, you can bring some toilet paper or tissues on your hike, just in case!
Pro Tip: Gila National Forest is pack it in and pack it out. There are no trash cans in the area. Practice the 7 principles of Leave No Trace and pack out all trash as you hike.
What to bring on your Gila Wilderness hike
In addition to the very important hiking water shoes, when preparing for a hike on the Middle Fork Trail, make sure to pack the essentials. Here are some items that worked for us!
Bring lots of water and a refillable water bottle. We always carry extra gallons of water in our car.
Bug spray. We did not use bug spray and we did get bit a little. The bugs were not too bad except around the water.
Bear spray and a loud bell in case you encounter any wildlife. A simple first aid kit, a whistle that also has a compass and thermometer, a pocketknife. And a hiking back pack to carry it all.
Sunscreen, a hat, lip balm, a light jacket with UPF, and moisture wicking clothing (most of my stuff is from Stitch Fix). I recommend capri length hiking pants or longer shorts. I wore shorter shorts and some of the vegetation was a bit itchy.
Final Thoughts on Middle Fork Trail
Hiking the Middle Fork Trail on the Gila River is an experience like no other – one that will challenge you physically and mentally while rewarding you with stunning scenery and a deep connection to nature. By following these simple tips and being well-prepared for your hike, you can make the most of this incredible outdoor adventure. So lace up your boots, pack your backpack with essentials, and hit the trails for an unforgettable journey through New Mexico’s beautiful wilderness.
A Teenager’s Perspective
I really like this place. It is very beautiful. I do recommend it for teenagers if you like hiking and water. It is really beautiful. And the water is really relaxing.
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Are you planning a trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings or the Gila National Forest? If so, let us know in the comments below!
Do you have questions about family travel or traveling with teens? Feel free to reach out! We are happy to chat and share our experiences and look forward to connecting with you.
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If you enjoyed reading this, check out these blog posts!
- Travel Made Easy: Tips for Visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings
- 15 Best Hikes Near Tucson: The Ultimate Guide
- Hiking the Gila: 5 Simple Tips for Middle Fork Trail
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Great advice. I have been marching for many years, often in different weather conditions. And I think that shoes and wool socks are a very important part of every such march. Because the comfort of our feet is the most important. It is also worth having a wool hat with you, because the weather in the mountains is very changeable, and sometimes it is terribly windy.