A Trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings

When you live in Las Cruces you have access to so much. One of our favorite areas is the Gila Wilderness where you find the Gila Cliff Dwellings.

About 700 years ago the Mogollon (muguhYON) people lived in the cliffs high above the Gila River. They hunted and fished, grew corn, beans, and squash. They used native yucca for food, sandal material, needles and even soap and shampoo.

The dwellings that remain are within the rugged Gila National Wilderness, the first wilderness area established by the US Government. The national park is only 43 miles from Silver City, but takes about two hours to drive because the road winds through spectacular scenery.

Once you make the drive to the Cliff Dwellings, you can stop at the Visitors' Center or proceed to the parking lot at the trailhead. Looking up over your shoulder, you'll get your first glimpse of the magnificent cliffs with the dwellings sitting there reflecting the sun. A rocky one-mile trail rises about 180 feet amid ponderosa pines, cactus, pion, junipers and Douglas fir. It crosses a series of footbridges and is reinforced by log steps in some areas. The trail is not wheelchair or stroller-accessible.

Take a walking stick. Especially if you're not a seasoned hiker, you'll appreciate it on the steep part of the trail and on the smooth but uneven rocks near the dwellings themselves. The hike is not particularly strenuous and benches are available in case you do tire. Try to arrange your trip to the ruins when guides are available, twice a day. They will greatly enhance your experience with the information they can provide about the dwellings and the people who lived there. A guided-trail booklet is also available.

Now the best part. The dwellings were excavated and stabilized in a series of projects beginning in 1907 and you can actually enter some of the 40 rooms the Mogollon built out of a series of caves. Stroll through the same rooms they used for cooking, sleeping, worshipping and working. Then return to the Visitors' Center for books and photos to remember this very special place.
Actual hours vary depending on the season. Wear sturdy clothing and bring water. There is a nominal entrance fee.