Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Silver City, NM
Stone rooms built by the Mogollon people in caves above a creek in the 1200s, reached on a one-mile loop trail.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument lies on NM 15 near Gila Hot Springs in southwestern New Mexico and protects 13th-century cliff dwellings. Lonely Planet describes them as homes of a small Mogollon group of roughly 30 to 80 people who lived there for about 20 years; they sit in six caves, some of them huge. The National Park Service assigns the inhabitants to the Tularosa Mogollon.
A one-mile (about 1.6 km) loop follows a stream and then climbs a steep, rocky slope. It leads into three of the six caves with buildings. Dogs are not allowed on the trail; free kennels at the trailhead are not monitored by staff.
The drive is long and winding and takes about two hours from Silver City. Plan accordingly if you travel by motorhome, and check the access road and opening hours beforehand.
- Nearest town
- Silver City, NM
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 33.2290, -108.2650
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May and December. Hot in June–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© This illustration was made by Peter Potrowl. Please credit this with : © Peter Potrowl in the immediate vicinity of… · CC BY-SA 3.0The Catwalk
© Andrew Tree · CC BY 4.0City of Rocks State Park
© CGP Grey · CC BY 2.0Very Large Array
© w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0Chiricahua National Monument
Campsites nearby
- Upper Scorpion CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument · 10 pitchesTentsCaravansToiletsFree
- Lower Scorpion CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument · 7 pitchesTentsCaravansToiletsDogs allowedFree
- Gila Hot Springs CampgroundCampsite4 mi from Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument · 12 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
- Mesa CampgroundCampsite15 mi from Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument · 23 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
- Upper End CampgroundCampsite15 mi from Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument · 12 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
- Aeroplane Mesa CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument · 6 pitchesTentsCaravansToiletsDogs allowedFree
All campsites in New Mexico · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument?
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is in Silver City, NM, at GPS 33.2290, -108.2650. It is about 25 mi from Pinos Altos.
Can you camp near Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Upper Scorpion Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 20 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument?
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Gila Wilderness: cliff dwellings, a catwalk and the Very Large Array.
What is there to see near Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument?
Places worth a stop nearby: The Catwalk (35 mi), City of Rocks State Park (47 mi), Very Large Array (69 mi) and Chiricahua National Monument (106 mi).
When is the best time to visit Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)