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Published on July 25, 2024. Last Updated on March 14, 2026.
If you’re planning a trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, you’re in for a treat! This stunning archaeological site is located in southwestern New Mexico and offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Mogollon people who once called this area home. In this blog post, we’ll share five tips to help make your visit to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument as enjoyable and memorable as possible.
We visited the Gila Cliff Dwellings in early June to beat the intense desert heat of our home in Southern Arizona. This trip was a part of our year of visiting the ancient cliff dwelling ruins near Southwest home including Montezuma’s Castle, Bandelier, and of course the Gila Cliff Dwellings as these cliff dwellings are the closest to our home in Tucson.
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The details: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is located in the heart of the Gila Wilderness in Southwestern New Mexico at 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049. There is no entrance fee – the park is free! There are vault toilets onsite. Operating hours vary by season so make sure to visit the website for the most up-to-date information.
A few important things to note:
- Pets are not allowed on the trail to the cliff dwellings. There are complimentary kennels on site that are first come first served basis for visitors.
- Gila National Forest is pack it in and pack it out. There are no trash cans in the area. Come prepared to pack out all trash and practice the 7 principles of Leave No Trace when visiting.
- Cell phone service is very spotty so come prepared with offline maps and let someone know of your plans.
Our visit to the Gila Cliff Dwellings
We love camping. When I was planning our trip, I initially wanted to camp in the Gila National Forest, specifically in the Upper Scorpion Campground as it is a quarter mile and walking distance from the cliff dwellings. However, because of my work schedule, there was no way that we could make it in time to set up camp before sunset the night before our trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Instead, we camped outside of Silver City the night before.
The day of our visit, we left our campground outside of Silver City around 9am. And we arrived at the Visitor’s Center at 10:45am (more on our drive later!).
Next, we drove to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. There was plenty of parking and also a loose horse near the entrance of the hike! It was a horse from a nearby ranch that was later rescued, but it was quite a scene! After buying our traditional souvenirs of a key chain and a postcard for Buddy’s grandma, we hit the trail to the cliff dwellings.
After hiking Cliff Dweller Trail, we arrived at the cliff dwellings at noon. There was only one other family in the cliff dwellings with us. Which was nice, given that we were there on a Saturday afternoon in June.
After visiting the cliff dwellings, we had lunch in the car and then set off to end the day with a hike along the Gila River on the Middle Fork Trail.
5 Simple Tips for Visiting Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
1. You don’t have to drive on New Mexico Highway 15 for the entire trip
Ah the infamous New Mexico Highway 15! This 44.3 mile highway is the one road up from Silver City to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. And given its twist and turns, the highway takes about an hour and a half to complete.
The reputation of NM Hwy 15 made its way all the way to Tucson where locals talk about the mountain roads winding climbs on narrow roads. This scenic road can be a nail biting, white knuckle experience for drivers with limited mountain driving experience. In my opinion, it is nowhere near as fear inducing as the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Nonetheless, NM Hwy 15 can still be a hair raising for some drivers.
Luckily, visitors to the Gila Cliff Dwellings traveling in from Silver City can avoid about half of the infamous NM Hwy 15. Here’s how. Take NM Hwy 152 to NM Hwy 35 to NM Hwy 15. Yes, it is longer, but you skip about half of the scary, curvy, dangerous road! And, this route will lead you through picturesque landscapes and provide you with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the beauty of the Gila Wilderness.
Pro Tip: The first 25 miles of NM Hwy 15 from Silver City are not suitable for vehicles longer than 20 feet. So if you are pulling a trailer or driving your motor home, you do need to take the alternate route.
Our drive to the Gila Cliff Dwellings
After hearing horror stories about NM Hwy 15 from friends in Tucson, and given the fact that this was a mother and son trip so I was the only driver, I decided not to do the entire drive up on NM Hwy 15. Rather, we did the drive via NM Hwy 152 to NM Hwy 35 to NM Hwy 15 going through Santa Rita, San Lorenzo, Mimbres, and past Lake Roberts before catching NM Hwy 15. Going this route added a total of 30 minutes to our drive. Some of the drive was very beautiful and I am glad we took that route.
However, on the way back to Silver City, I decided to take NM Highway 15 the entire way. And, I think that my friends in Tucson overreacted because all in all, the road was not that bad. The lack of guardrails in some areas was concerning. And I did have to use the lower gears on the way down the mountain. But overall, most cars drove slowly down the mountain and it was totally fine. I am also glad we had the chance to drive the entirety of the infamous NM Hwy 15.
2. Bring offline maps
As phone service may be limited or non-existent at the monument, it is always a good idea to bring an offline map with you just in case. This will ensure that you can navigate your way around the Gila National Forest without any issues whether driving or hiking.
Before our visit to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, I downloaded offline maps. These were very helpful during our hike as we did not have any signal and were offline the entire time we were in the mountains.
Pro Tip: The Visitor’s Center sells maps if you forget yours at home.
3. Be prepared to hike
The Gila Cliff Dwellings are accessed by the Cliff Dweller Trail, a 1.1 mile loop trail rated as moderate for a gain of 275 feet in elevation. However, the altitude of the Gila Wilderness is over a mile high and visitors not used to high altitude hikes might feel winded. On average, visitors spend 1-2 hours on the trail including the hike and time spent exploring the cliff dwellings.
Reminder: Dogs not welcome on trail. Be prepared to board them in the complimentary kennels.
All in all it took us one hour round trip to hike and explore the Gila Cliff Dwellings. We began our hike at noon and finished by 1pm. There were a few other people on the trail and in the cliff dwellings with us. But overall, it was not as crowded as we thought it would be on a Saturday afternoon in early June. This could be perhaps that there was a forest fire nearby.
4. Stop by the Visitor Center
To get the most out of your visit to the national monument, be sure to stop by the Visitor Center. The Gila Visitor Center is about 2 miles from the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The visitor center offers valuable information about the history of the area and can help enhance your overall experience.
There is a Western National Parks Association Bookstore at the trailhead to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, however, the museum exhibits and a film about the area is only found at the Visitor Center.
We spent some time at the Visitor’s Center taking in the exhibits and watching the entire movie. During our time at the Visitor’s Center, we were the only people there aside from the ranger. It was really nice. We had some time to chat with the ranger and got some good advice about hikes in the area.
Because the Visitor Center is not at the Gila Cliff Dwelling Trailhead, we assume that many visitors skip this stop. But we recommend that you don’t miss it! There is a lot of information. Plus, there are accessible facilities at the main visitor center, which are nicer to use than the vault toilets at the Gila Cliff Dwellings Trailhead. However, because the national forest is pack it in pack it out, there are no trash cans at the Visitor Center.
5. What to bring for a day at the Gila Cliff Dwellings
If you are spending a day in the Gila Wilderness exploring the cliff dwellings and perhaps doing some hiking, there are a few things you will want to bring. Below is a list of things we brought that we hope are helpful. Please make sure to add to this list as you see fit!
- Lots of water and a refillable water bottle. We always carry extra gallons of water in our car.
- Snacks
- A cooler and a picnic lunch. We use these collapsible meal kits and reusable sandwich bags when we hike.
- Hand sanitizer or Wet Ones to clean your hands before lunch or after using a vault toilet
- Hiking backpack
- Sunscreen, a hat, lip balm, a light jacket with UPF, and moisture wicking clothing (most of my stuff is from Stitch Fix).
- Bug spray. Especially if you plan on hiking in and around the Gila River.
- Bear spray and a loud bell in case you encounter any wildlife. There are bears and lobos (Mexican gray wolves) in the area. A simple first aid kit, a whistle that also has a compass and thermometer, a pocket knife. And a hiking backpack to carry it all.
- Offline maps
- Toilet paper and/or Tissues because you never know when you might need some
- A sharpie and a pen, because you never know when you might need them.
- And your Passport to Your National Parks book so you can get your stamp!
And for your car:
A Teenager’s Perspective
The drive to the Gila Cliff Dwellings was very interesting. We took the alternate route to the Gila Wilderness, which was very unusual. But I am guessing the main route SR 15 would probably be a lot windy if we went there instead. Be careful on the road and make sure to not fall off a cliff because there are no guard rails present in some places. I mean, As long as you drive safely, you should be fine.
I recommend the Gila Cliff Dwellings for teenagers interested in archaeology and history. Or if you like hiking. In fact, I thought they were much better than Montezuma’s Castle.
Gila Cliff Dwellings Fast FAQs
1. How long is the hike to the Gila Cliff Dwellings?
1.1 miles round trip (it’s a loop).
2. Can you go into the Gila Cliff Dwellings?
Yes. You can go inside the cliff dwellings and look around. In fact, visitors will need to climb a few short ladders to get into the cliff dwellings. Stay safe on the ladders as you climb. And do not enter any areas that are restricted.
3. What are the Gila Cliff Dwellings?
The Gila Cliff Dwellings are the homes built into natural caves and cliffs by the Mogollon who lived there between 1280 and the early 1300s.
4. Who inhabited the Gila Cliff Dwellings?
The Mogollon whose culture thrived in present-day Southeastern Arizona, Southwestern New Mexico, Northeastern Sonora and Northwestern Chihuahua between the years 200-1450.
5. Are the Gila Cliff Dwellings worth it?
In our opinion yes! The Gila Cliff Dwellings are a sight to behold. And an important part of the ancient history of the Southwest.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is an unforgettable experience that offers a unique glimpse into the Southwest’s ancient history. By following these five tips and being prepared for a day of hiking and exploration, you can make the most out of your trip to this remarkable archaeological site. So pack your bags, lace up your hiking shoes, and get ready for an adventure unlike any other at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument!
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Are you planning a trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings? 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!
- Hiking the Gila: 5 Simple Tips for Middle Fork Trail
- Travel Made Easy: Tips for Visiting Montezuma Castle
- Is The THING? In Arizona Worth Visiting
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