Gila National Forest

Gila National Forest

Gila National Forest
5
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
About
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles199 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
25
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
0

Alfredo C
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022 • Couples
The long drive to the Gila Cliff Dwellings from Silver City (around 2 hours) is already part of the fun, so don’t try to rush. You drive through the Gila NationalForest on a narrow and winding mountain road. The road is well maintained, paved throughout, although for a long stretch it has no midline markings. But in rain it must be very difficult. Every so often you will find a good spot to stop and take in some fantastic views. At the end of the road is the visitor center, where they show a useful short film and have interesting exhibits on both the wildlife of the area and some of the artifacts collected in the archeological site. One mile more and you get to the dwellings site itself. The trail is a loop over a mile long, on the moderate side and with wonderful vistas. Although you climb a fair number of steps, there are many spots where you can catch your breath along the way. Halfway through you get to the dwellings. They are remarkably well preserved, and one gets the sense of what it must have been like to live there 700 years ago. We met park rangers in various spots, and they were always happy to answer a question or point to something worth seeing. The whole loop takes you a bit over an hour, perhaps more if you linger at your leisure in the ruins. At the trailhead there is a useful book and gift shop. As you drive back, less than a mile from the site there is a camp called Lower Scorpion, where short, easy walks lead you to petroglyphs and to a smaller ancient dwelling. You will have to bring your lunch and have a small picnic. All told, this is a very enjoyable day trip of some 7 hours, starting and ending in Silver City.
Written 12 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Placido
Tucson, AZ715 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 • Couples
This place is definitely worth a visit if anywhere in the vicinity of Silver City. The hike to the cliff dwellings is quite easy and the loop only will take about an hour and a 1/2 to 2 hours.

There are also two interesting sights very close to the Cliff Dwellings trailhead. At the nearby Lower Scorpion picnic area there are pictographs if one walks off to the right from the parking area. There is also a large sign at the trailhead leading to another small two-room cliff dwelling. The walk takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

Onr more tip... As you head back towards Silver City you will pass a Trading Post store a couple of miles down the road on your left. It is definitely worthwhile. They have homemade ice cream that is really truly excellent. The flavour of this month, September 2020, was prickly pear. Wow! They also have other interesting flavours like lemon-berry and offer a really nice selection of gifts in their store. They even have some Acoma pottery.
Written 17 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gina A
Dallas, TX403 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We went when there was still snow on the ground. Not very many people so we took our time exploring the rooms. The trek up was beautiful but not for everyone. Steep staircase on front end and ladder at the end but if you go slow it's doable by most. We could imagine the people living, cooking and congregating there. It was very interesting. Don't miss it.
Written 7 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

soloman9993
Whitefish, MT459 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
Quite a drive from Silver City. Not long distance, but slow speeds. Well worth it. Unlike most places, you can actually enter the cliff dwellings. A bit of a walk, but not difficult. Be sure to see the petrogliphs that are just an easy 1/4 mile (if that) walk from the lower scorpian camp ground.
Written 13 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dextertalk
Las Cruces, NM67 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
The cliff dwellings are quite spectacular as is the surrounding landscape. We were warned that the many "stairs" as we approached the top would be strenuous. We are both seniors and had no trouble at all - even at 7,000 feet. It is well worth the hike. The park staff are knowledgeable and will answer all your questions. The drive through the forest to get to the dwellings is beautiful - take your time!
Written 19 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sniffies
Montgomery, TX210 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
Unfortunately, due to covid, we were not able to go inside of the ruins; we were only able to walk to the site and view the ruins from the pathway. Even at that, it was a beautiful hike along the Gila river up to the ruins. The drive is a very curvy road and you should not be in a hurry to drive.
Written 28 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marie B
Surprise, AZ28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
Wonderful day trip! Beautiful scenery - but you better like "curves"! We had wanted to visit the Cliff Dwellings but by the time we got there, the heat was already up in the 90's and (at our age) we weren't up to the hike (a mile +), so we just enjoyed the film at the Visitor Center (very nice!) and walked around a bit, then took the scenic route back through the City of Rocks which was fun and very worth it.
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Will6468
Morton, IL630 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
Take a day, stop at Don Juan Burritos on your way out of town to share a large burrito for lunch at a scenic stop. Then, go, enjoy the scenery, take your time, soak in the landscape variety. It's an awesome drive.

Visit the Cliff dwelling, easy walk and imagine their lifestyle. Not many stairs, easy to do.

We did the loop, north with a camera in hand to the dwellings, then back on the east loop, stopped at the mine overlook. A great, easy, relaxing enjoyable day.
Written 11 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Deserted Dave
New Mexico388 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021 • Solo
The Gila...my Gila...trail of the mountain spirits...the "pinos altos", canyons, and river. I love the Gila, and have been camping here many times throughout the last twenty months. Cherry Creek, during the monsoons; Iron Creek and Kingston in the Black Range; that wonderful bit of road, US180, and Bighorn campgrounds. The Leopold Vista picnic area, and Continental Divide trailheads. Spaghetti Night at the Buckhorn Saloon.

I love the Gila.
Written 1 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Warden
Cataula, GA27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We came specifically to climb to the Cliff Dwellings National Monument. It is an effort to reach this monument but that is what makes it special. We came in January so there were only a few other people visiting. A little snow and mud on the trail and it was cold. But we loved it. A great experience that very few people experience. Remote and peaceful. FYI - dogs are not allowed on the trail to the Cliff Dwellings. The hike is a one mile loop. A good climb. I was a little more winded than I would have liked but realized it was due to the altitude. Pack a lunch as there are no restaurants anywhere near this beautiful landmark.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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GILA NATIONAL FOREST (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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