gila wilderness area

The beautiful mountain drive from Silver City to the Cliff Dwellings takes about 2 hours, but once you get there you will be on your feet hiking and exploring for the next couple of hours. Keep in mind that the trailhead is not at the Visitor Center, but you must stop there to pay your fee and get directions. Leaving from the parking lot at the trailhead, the path ways are well marked with pedestrian bridges here and there, and blend nicely with the natural flora of the area. There are a few benches along the way to take a little break & rest or enjoy the calm of the forest. Making your way out of the valley and up to the cliff dwellings you get a fantastic view of the Gila Wilderness all around you. You can understand why the Mogollan people chose this location! The structures they created in the rock walls are well preserved and with the assistance of a guide on hand at the dwellings we learned much about the layout and use of the various rooms and saw some of the petroglyphs they left behind. Bob provided a wealth of information in a warm & friendly manner! Overall we spent about 2 hours walking to and from and exploring the cliff dwellings and only encountered about a dozen other people there that day. Remote & un-commercialized and worth the drive & hike to get there!

This is one of the last great unadulterated vast wilderness areas in the U.S. It is NOT commercialized like so many other so-called wilderness areas [like Sedona] that have private vendors and a police presence everywhere. The utter peace and tranquility you feel is otherworldly. I can honestly say that I haven't felt this level of deep peacefulness in many decades of traveling into wilderness areas. All I wanted to do was sleep it was so pristine, primal, and utterly beautiful. There are natural hot springs off the road on your way up to the Indian Cliff Dwellings at the Gila Hot Springs Ranch, Park & Campground which are open to the public and have a minimal fee to use. Their natural pools constructed of large river rock with gravel floors are clear and clean as the owners are conscientious about maintaining the campground area. Please be very careful soaking at night, however, as you may encounter a rat that has wandered down from the ranch directly up the hill from the springs where the horse and animal stables are located. In wilderness hot spring areas, it is better to be able to see the area in the daylight, to be safe, especially if you have children or a low immune system and to avoid problems. You may camp out by the river and near the four hot spring pools, and there are two out houses in the campground if you need a toilet. Don't plan on getting up to the Indian Cliff Dwellings, the catwalk was destroyed in the fires. It was still worth visiting and I wish I could experience this kind of peaceful energy outside the forest...but alas, the BUZZ of cell phone towers, Wi-Fi, and every other form of dirty energy is our reality in this mechanized new world. I want to go back to the good ole' days before chemtrails and transhumanism...how about you?

The drive on Highway 152 from Hillsboro to Silver City was one of the most beautiful drives in North America. A wonderful drive through the mountains, with switchbacks and gorgeous views. This journey was a destination by itself with plenty of hiking trails. My wife and I had rented convertibles to take this drive, it was by far worth the expense to drink in the gorgeous views, even the wonderful smell of the place. Sadly, I drove to Silver City this week on business and took the drive. I was shocked and saddened to see much of it, including the most beautiful sections had become a scortched-earth wasteland. The attached photos tell the sad story best. I don't know what the drive to Cliff looks like still, it may still be wonderful. I won't take this drive on 152 again, but will take the 'fastest' route on the GPS, or maybe the road in from the north to Silver City, which is still fine. Sigh. Paradise lost.

My husband and I took a drive from City of Rocks State Park and up to look at the Gila Cliff dwellings. We had no idea how beautiful the drive would be through the Mimbres Mountains. We definitely want to return here.

Took a family of four here including 15 and 10 year old boys. The cliffs are amazing and the entire walk can be done in an hour or so but allow at least an hour and a half to take your time. Even better try to hook up with a Ranger tour where you will be presented with information that really makes the place come alive. Even our 10 year old didn't get bored wityh the tour. The hardest part really is the drive out through some winding mountains but it's worth it once you get there. Be sure to go to the visitor station and watch the 12 minute movie about the histroy of the dwellings it will give you a greater appreciation of the history of the people and the dwellings themselves.

We followed the "Trail of the Mountain Spirits" starting in Silver City. This scenic byway twists and turns through the beautiful Gila National Forest. In the town of Pinos Altos, we enjoyed seeing the old saloon and opera house. At Lake Roberts, we were disappointed in the view-- not much water. At the nearby picnic area, though, we did see some interesting ruins of Mimbres' (ancestral people) dwellings. As we continued on Rte. 35, we passed some lovely scenery. Our biggest disappointment was the Mimbres Culture Heritage Site, which was billed as a "world famous archeological site." For a $3 per person admission fee, you got a brochure and were able to wander along a grass-covered trail that showed no signs of the pit houses and kiva that were once there. The property also included a house from the 1880s that belonged to a doctor with a sign saying "work in progress" and indeed it was!

Riding on a motorcycle thru the Gila was spectacular! The views are awesome, especially riding along the ridge between Pinos Altos and the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Lake Roberts is also very pretty. There are a few really nice places to stop along the way for food, drinks, and historic sites.

There is much more country here than you can ever cover, even by horseback. Besides the Cliff Dwellings and museum/visitors center, there is plenty of history, geology and archeology to keep you interested and entertained. Just ask around if you don't know where to go.

Beautiful country, wonderful summer climate. Cliff Dwellings, Hot Springs. Great hiking, hunting and camping. Perfect for bikes of every kind.

This was a wonderful highlight to our trip to Silver City. I truly enjoyed everything about it. My husband and I took route 15 up to the dwellings and lets just say, "eeeeeeeekkkkkkk" There were times that the twists and turns were outrageous but we made it in a conversion van. (I knew we would be okay because I was driving). You will reach the visitor center first and then drive another mile up to the main parking area. The rangers will greet you and pass on pertinent information as you make the fee payment of the $3.00 a person (so worth it). You will cross a bridge and begin your hike up to the cliffs in a beautiful and serene setting. Please note it does incline and there are areas that have a drop, it is important to be careful of your footing as you are hiking up to the cliffs. There are benches along the way so if you need the break, take it. Once there you are truly in a magical place. To be able to step back in time and walk were these individuals did is...unbelievable. I actually had about 10 minutes of pure silence before anyone came in and had a moment to take it all in silence. Let's just say I was very humbled. When you are done exploring the caves you have the choice of going back down the stairs or actually taking the ladder down from the caves. I chose the ladder and lets just say thats a story for another time. The hike down was another 1/2 mile back to the parking lot, not a lot of benches and make sure of your footing. Overall, this is a worthwhile moment in your life to take.

Hidden back in Gila Wilderness this Native American historical sight is worth the walk. The trails are well maintained but not suitable for all ages. The cliff dwellings are in great shape and should be on list for every history buff.

A long winding road but worth it at least once. Really wonderful spot you can really imagine why they picked this spot

The famous catwalk is still closed, but if you have young kids, this is still a great hike to see it. The bridge is under construction still, but you can hike up to it. Walk above the stream and enjoy the area-very wonderful, secret areas with a lot of history...and a perk is the wild pigs in the brush along the road-look for them!

It is a long and winding trip through the mountains to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, but well worth it. It does take just at 2 hours to get there. We took the trail up to the dwellings, not knowing what to expect, but they really are amazing. Reading the brochure that was given to us gave us a better understanding of the dwellings. If you are not able to walk lengthy distances and uphill don't attempt to go to the dwellings! I am in my late 40's and somewhat in shape and I was out of breath by the time we got to the top! Oh, and if you have your pet with you, they have kennels, you cannot take your pet with you on the trail. :) They do ask for a $3 donation for each person going to the dwellings.

we loved the ride up on our harley had to do it a few more times,the cliffs are a must see if in the are. There is a Hot Spring for around 5 fee. Camping as well.we also took the 152 known as geronimo;s trail , full of switch backs and fun, not for campers as it is tight in so spots.