Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Long drive on windy mountain road back to dwellings but worth the drive. We toured the visitor center then went on to the parking lot for the Dwellings hike. There are a lot of steps and a few hundred feet elevation gain to get to the dwellings. Beautiful walk, nice views, educational experience. It's about a one mile loop hike. We saw some javelina just before the parking lot.

Short hike to a rewarding look into the history of the cliff dwelling people. The loop is about a mile. No fee to get into the park but you can leave donations

Fantastic hike! 10 out of 10 would recommend! Remember to use AllTrails, it is easy to get lost. Be ready to truly climb and duck.

What an absolutely amazing place. Be prepared to drive about 2 hours through very narrow, twisty, windy, mountain roads with drop offs. Drive slowly. I would suggest stopping by the visitor center first to get an overview and learn some of the history. Once you drive to the trailhead, rangers will go over a few rules and tell you about the 616 stair you will climb up and down. It is not a long trail, but is steep. It is so worth it though. The trail, is a loop, and crosses several bridges, over a small stream. It's quite beautiful. There is a viewpoint, before you reach the top, where you can get your first glimpse of the dwellings. There are several benches, if you need a break. This is one of the few places where you are still allowed to walk through and explore the dwelling, so please follow the rules and be respectful so future generations can still enjoy the experience. It's an absolutely amazing experience. Look for the corn cob bin! We really took our time and soaked it all in. Don't rush. Beautiful views on our way down. Take water, but only plain water. There are a few viewpoints, archaeological sites, and points of interest on the drive that are worth stopping for. Check at the trailhead for info on a "Trail to the Past" you can visit a small dwelling and see pictographs.

Easy hike to the cliff dwellings. Great information from the volunteers. Amazing history and beautiful views.

Quite a long curvy road into the park from Silver city but what a gorgeous drive. The cliff dwellings are unique -very deep cave dwelling. Ranger station even has walking sticks for short hike. We saw a coyote, mule deer and a roadrunner on the drive. O and a havalina running for its life as a few dogs were chasing it 😞

Short hike to amazing sight. Be sure to get there well before closing time (4pm) in order to have enough time to fully enjoy the hike and explore all of the cliff dwellings. It takes about 2 hours of driving through very windy roads at slow speeds, up and down the mountains from the entrance of the park all the to the parking lot where the hike begins that takes you too the cliff dwellings.

It was very well preserved and a wonderful place to visit. It was work the 43 mile 2 hour drive in. The road is all blacktop and easy to drive. The ranger was helpful and friendly.

This was a wonderful place to visit. We stopped at the visitor center first and watched the film about the history of the ruins, and saw the museum of artifacts found in the rooms. We appreciated the ruins so much more from doing that first. When we got to the trailhead and bookstore, there was a ranger waiting to give us an orientation. He also explained the Junior Ranger program to our kids, who were very excited to fill out the booklets they were given. We have visited a lot of parks and have never had the greeting service we experienced here. It was so cool to start the hike with that orientation! We met another ranger and a volunteer along the hike, who stopped to talk with my kids about their experiences doing the work they do, and helped them with their Junior Ranger booklets. This was the shortest time we have spent in a national monument but easily the most impactful we have had yet, because of the rangers, their organization and kindness. The ruins were so cool, and I loved the sign that had the quote "The people here didn't leave. They didn't disappear. We didn't go anywhere, and we are still here." After growing up learning about the ruins and how "the people mysteriously disappeared." I'm so glad we stopped, and it was my daughter's favorite part of our trip.

Beautiful. Slightly challenging trail. No disabled access. Interesting history. Easy parking. Ranger on duty. And a nice vistor gift store.

This is more than a destination, this is an all day adventure! Located approximately 40 miles north of Silver City, New Mexico the Gila Cliff Dwellings is a once in a lifetime experience. To get to this national park, you must drive through the Gila National Forrest and the drive alone is quite an experience. This drive is not recommended for anybody hauling trailers or driving big rig RVs! The reason it takes two hours to go 40 miles is that there are numerous hairpin turns and 1-1/2 lane roads with no guard rails that tower 7,600 feet and it's a bit of a white knuckle drive. I definitely would not recommend it unless you verify that the weather will permit safe passage. There are no gas stations or rest stops with facilities between silver city and the visitor center at Gila Cliff Dwellings so make sure you are prepared (water, sunscreen, snacks, sturdy closed toed sneakers or hiking shoes) and start your day early to avoid driving any of these routes after dusk. All that having been said, the views are absolutely spectacular and there are a number of viewpoints that you can pull off and take a look around which is definitely recommended. There is a significant portion of the drive where there is zero cell phone reception, or Internet accessibility. Do not expect to get any access until you return back to Silver City as there is no reception at all throughout the forest or up at the Clift dwellings. Unplug and enjoy the view. Upon arrival at the Cliff dwellings, stop in and check out the visitor center for information about the area. The drive from the visitor center is about 2 miles up the road and there is another ranger station at the base of the path. The path itself while only 1 mile loop is quite a walk with a number of stairs, and at one point requires that you use a ladder to get down. There are some heights involved, so unless you were in fair shape be governed accordingly. Note that access to the Cliff dwellings is not handicapped accessible and cannot be seen from parking lots below. The walk at a brisk pace and time inside the caves is minimally a one hour visit, but probably will take more time with visit with the Rangers and the visitor center. Keep in mind that after your visit, you still have a 2 hour drive back to Silver City through hairpin turns. So do not start your day too late! The cliff dwellings themselves are a free park entry. The dwellings have existed since approximately 1200 AD and you can access several of the rooms and just are a fantastic peek into the past and wonderful for the amateur archaeologist. The information provided is not meant to scare anybody off, but to ensure that everyone is prepared to take this adventure and enjoy their day to the fullest. If you can manage to get up to this remote location, it's highly recommended as it once in a lifetime opportunity.

The highlight of our New Mexico road trip. Some words of advice: - Begin the drive early coming from T or C and you'll see lots of deer and probably some javelinas. Drive carefully! - Be prepared for nothing but windy roads and no cell reception. - The visitor center has bathrooms and a water refill. You pack out your own trash - even for those that drive here. - The pot holes and road the Silver City route will take your full attention. - From T or C to Gila and then on to Silver City took us 7 hours. Now let's say you make it, here's what you'll look forward to: - Gorgeous mountain views along the way (with snow topped mountains in March) - Wildlife spotting (or some local dogs to say hello) - Fabulous cliff dwellings you can walk through and look into (including corn cobs left from original tribes!). The grandness of how people lived was awe inspiring. - Serenity of being in a quiet and beautiful location

Every since we saw the movie Rat Race and heard about the town of Silver City, we have been curious about what there is to find there. We came in May of last year, and it was a beautiful time to come. We decided to only take the shorter hike instead of the long one, but the smaller hike still was scenic and lovely. The rangers are quite friendly, and they really helped us to determine which trip we could handle. My husband did decide to do the longer trip as well, and he was blown away by the wonderful views. We love history and feeling like we're connected with the past. Enjoyed seeing the cliff dwellings. Make sure you wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

I am fascinated to learn how difficult cultures lived in times so different from mine.

Building upon the profound experiences of my first visit, I do not doubt that a return trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is desirable and almost a spiritual necessity for me. The hypnotic allure of the ancient dwellings goes beyond a mere tourist attraction; it is a vivid time capsule, a living testament to the richness of Native American culture that fascinates me. The spectacular natural beauty that surrounds the monument also promises more to explore. I recall the verdant expanse of the Gila Forest and the calming melody of the Gila River, adding a deeper layer of tranquillity to the entire experience. The promise of unseen trails and undiscovered vistas beckons me to this serene wilderness. As the owner of Hypnoticgate, I have shared numerous spiritual and mystical insights with a wider audience. Places like the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument provide invaluable context and inspiration to enrich this discourse. They allow us to connect with the spiritual wisdom of the past, grounding us and offering direction as we navigate our spiritual paths. Given the knowledge and understanding I gained from my first visit, there is more wisdom waiting to be unearthed from the ancient stones of the dwellings. The engaging stories narrated by the park rangers have left an indelible impression on me, and I am eager to learn more about the fascinating Mogollon people. All these reasons make the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument a compelling destination for my future travels. And in the spirit of sharing my journey and experiences, I plan to continue documenting and exploring this monument's historical and spiritual significance on Hypnoticgate.com. I hope that this place's magic, preserved and narrated through the digital platform, will inspire others as it has inspired me. Until then, the call of the Gila Cliff Dwellings continues to echo, a sweet promise of adventures to come.

An adventure beyond all adventures. That's the Gila Cliff dwellings. So much could be said. I will start by saying that this is a place where the journey is as great as the destination. It was a long a windy route to get there. In fact to leave I went another way and it was even windier and longer. No cell coverage for about 5 hours. When you go here you are remote. It goes from desert vistas mountain forests. I started seeing some deer as I got higher and higher, ears popping many times. I still had a half hour to go when I stopped again for the view. So many majestic views are on the way to the cliffs. When I arrived they were just opening. Part of my plan as they have limited entry and I didn't want to wait for others to leave to be allowed in. Once on the trail it was a focus to step right. It was easy to medium but still easy to take a wrong step as parts of the path are along a cliff. It was very authentic. Seeing the ruins was really great. With the early morning start I had them to myself. It made it easier to imagine what it was like 800 years ago as people prospered here. It's not often that I consider going back to a national park soon but I will to the Gila cliffs. There are a bunch of other hikes to take here and getting to the trail head will be half the fun.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is about 44 miles away from Silver City which may take you closer to 2 hours to get there. My husband, our little girl dog and I decided to drive out to this national monument on a Wednesday afternoon. We parked in the small lot and walked over to the bridge to talk to the ranger to see what the options were for hiking. Although previous Yelp members had previously mentioned that there was a fee, we were not charged a fee on this visit (not too sure if this is due to the pandemic?). Anyways, one of the rangers we spoke to had informed us that the main hiking path that goes directly up to the cliff dwellings is about a 1.1 mile loop (generally moderate) and can take an hour to an hour and a half but it may be longer depending on how long we decide to spend taking photos. The ranger also informed us that only service dogs are allowed on this trail and said that we were welcomed to use one of the 4 kennels below the bridge (which does have water bowls) if we want. The ranger also told us that there is another trail called the Grudging Grave that is a 2 mile hike that is moderate that is dog friendly. I wasn't too keen on having our little girl locked up in a kennel while we hike and also because there were 2 large dogs in separate kennels barking their heads off for their owners, we decided to take turns hiking the trail. I am one of those people who treat their dogs like their own children and I just don't think she would have liked being stuck under the bridge hearing those other dogs howling and barking the whole time we were gone. So, my husband went first to hike the trail (he is a much faster hiker than me) while I stayed with our little girl and did a little hiking of the other trail on our own. Later on when my husband came back, I went up and hiked by myself. The hike itself isn't too bad but you definitely want to wear good sturdy shoes since you are walking on rocks and hiking uphill. There is a good amount of shade on the trail but you definitely want to wear sunblock and wear a large brim hat to cover your face. And while you are at it, bring plenty of water for your hike. The cliff dwellings (or caves) are really cool to see once you make you way up to it. But you are only able to go to the base of the dwellings but not higher since it is blocked off by a rope and a sign telling hikers not to enter. That is too bad because it looks really interesting and would have liked to see more of the caves up there. It is really impressive to build an undergrown home that helps to provide shelter from the wind, rain and heat. If you are an avid hiker, I think it may be worth a visit to this national monument. Please note that this national monument is open between 9 am to 4 pm with 3:30 pm being the last allowed entry and visitors will have until 5 pm to exit the area before the gates close. There are also porta potties here in case you need to use them. Oh, and if you need to throw away trash, because this site does not have trash service, you will to take any trash you have out with you (which includes dog poop if you dog has to go. Sadly we saw some dog poop on the dog friendly trail that was not picked up and some that were in poop bags but not taken out with those people who visited).

A really cool national park site. Located in a very secluded place, the drive in is remote but very scenic. The hike to the ruins is beautiful and well groomed. The actual ruins are well preserved. Friendly and knowledgeable rangers onsite. Nice junior ranger program. Worth the drive to visit.

This is an amazing area and I highly recommend checking it out. The cliff dwelling hike was inspiring to think how early civilizations lived. The area was clean and well maintained. The rangers were all very helpful and quick to share their knowledge in the area. We learned a-lot about native birds in the area as well as the early civilization that used to live there. There was so much todo here and I wish we could have stayed longer.

What a beautiful historic place to go back in time to see how the Native Americans lived back then. Very organized and easy to find the trail. Park rangers were very helpful and explained what you can and cannot do in advance of the 1 mile hike up then down the stairs.

We went a few years ago and the beauty and awe of this place still remains with me. It is an absolute must do. The only thing that needs to be considered is personal health and ability to walk and climb. I'm very thankful I did this while I still can!! Stunning!!

What an excellent experience. As it turns out, this is the perfect time of year to hike up to the dwellings. Besides the impressive cave dwellings, seeing all of the leaves changing color is inspiring. I took a lot of pictures with my phone and while outside of the National Forest area, with my drone. I'm already planning a trip back. I'm wanting to spend some time at the hot springs.

Phenomenal. The whole experience today was excellent. The drive up from Silver, the museum, and 2 hikes were awesome. Did the main loop to the dwellings, beautiful up a canyon, bridges, river, trees up to the caves. 80 % original walls, pictographs. Super experience. Went for a picnic and more pictographs at lower Scorpion Camp. Don't miss that little hike. Also hiked a ways to the hotspring, required some river fords which we were not ready for. Headed to the Gila Hotsprings. Also really great. 7 bucks. 3 pools, hot and clean plenty of goats. Go!!!!

Very cool place to visit. The park is clean and very friendly park people. There are places to kennel a pet at bottom of trail but none allowed on the hike.

It's about a 2 Hour drive from Silver city but well worth it. The hike to the dwellings is not hard at all. Loved the ancient ruins/dwellings. The Ranger on the site, I'm sorry we did not get your name, very informative. At the end of our hike my husband asked him questions and he had a lot of knowledge a lot of history knowledge. Gotta do the hike to the dwellings.

This NM is definitely worth the drive from Silver City! Actually, the drive is half the fun! Fair warning...NM 15 can be pretty treacherous, especially if there is inclement weather and/or at night! It does say on the sign as you start your drive that the 44mi is a 2hr endeavor; I did not find this to be the case and I was going at or just above the posted speed limit (you can't really speed at all on this road as it has several tight curves and steep upgrades and downgrades and it is not really wide, especially on the turns, for two large vehicles). But, the views are just fantastic and it was a fun trek if you enjoy taking turns at speed! Another thing to note is keep eyes out for wildlife, especially deer and vultures. I saw a truck hit a vulture on the drive back because it was definitely speeding on one of the few straightaways and the bird didn't have a chance! The dwellings themselves are a 3-step process to get to. Once you arrive at the visitor center, you keep going to the parking area for the Dwellings. There is a ranger or volunteer there that makes sure you abide by the "Pay Honor Code" and put in your $3 pp entrance fee (it is strictly cash only as you put your money in an envelope and drop it in the paybox). You get a map and then it is about a mile hike up to the entrance of the first dwelling. The hike is through some nice wilderness following a stream, but be warned, you need to be in quasi-decent shape as there is a fairly decent incline to get up to the caves and the trail is pretty primitive. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a rest if you need to. You are at a decent altitude and the sun can be relentless. Once up to the first cave, you can talk with a ranger, who gives you the background on the dwellings. It is incredible that the native people here were able to make such dwellings in these open mountain caves only to live in them for a relatively short time. You can walk through the caves/dwellings and get an up close look at the ruins. They aren't nearly as expansive or impressive as Mesa Verde, but there are some pictographs and petrified corns that gives this site its own charm. You can either descend from the caves to the trail that will take you back to the parking lot by walking back around the way you came or you can descend on a ladder similar to the ones the natives would have used. I highly recommend going down the ladder! The walk back to the parking lot is fairly easy, but again, the trail is primitive and you just have to watch your footing as it is very easy to trip over the outcropped rocks. Also, there is vegetative overgrowth on the trail, so keep an eye out for bees/wasps/snakes/spiders. The lizards were fun and harmless, but inadvertently brushing a low-lying flowerbush and getting a wasp coming straight at my face, was not fun! Also, check your hair/clothing for bugs as I had a couple of 8-legged stowaways I discovered on my passenger seat and gearshift, from my hoodie that I had tied on my waist, as I was driving out. Thankfully, I was going slow enough to slam on the brakes, pull over, do my "'OMG, SPIDERS!!!!" crazy-person on the side of the road' dance, and then be on my merry way. A great visit and another stamp in the National Park passport! Get out there and discover YOUR America!

We enjoyed the immense history of this place. There are actually two separate cliff swellings, one much smaller than the other. There are also some remaining petroglyphs that were awesome. The site has an informative visitor center and well stocked bookstore.

I'm a devotee of cliff dwellings and I've seen most of the known locations in the country, but Gila Cliff Dwellings was the first dwelling that I ever saw because I had heard so much about it as I grew up. Many cliff dwellings, such as Mesa Verde in Colorado, are overrun with the fanny-pack crowds who are often more interested in spending time at the gift shops. Getting to the Gila Cliff Dwellings means a scenic 44-mile northerly drive on Route 15's twisty roads from Silver City that probably keeps less energetic folks away. Once you reach the small parking lot after your steering wheel workout, you'll see a small wood framed building staffed by friendly volunteers. Sign in, get your simple map and take the pleasant walk over the water's steel pedestrian bridge and through a tree-filled path up to the dwellings. I've been here on a hot summer day, a breezy fall day, and a snowy Christmas day, so I don't think there's a bad time to visit the dwellings (unless roads are closed because of flooding and you can't get here at all). Others can write about the history of the place but, to me, two things are important: you might be fortunate enough to be the only visitor there -- if so, lucky you; and, you can actually climb into the dwellings -- there are no barriers that keep you at a distance. That combination has an immediacy that can play with your psyche. On my last visit, as I looked out at the mountains from inside the dwellings, a volunteer, stationed there to make sure that visitors don't get stupid, said, "You know, we invent our reality." Standing nearly alone in such a quiet place that is over 700 years old, you can start to lose sense of what reality really is.

This was such an amazing trip! I am a New Mexico native now living in California and I BARELY got to make this long drive out into the Gila National Forest to see this State/National monument! It was well worth it, very beautiful and HIGHLY recommend if you're ever just passing through the bottom left of New Mexico!! There's also a small gift shop out there as well as so much history to learn! The forest rangers are so friendly and welcome all ages as well! Not to mention there is a full moon hike that my partner and I will be coming back to next year! Oh beautiful New Mexico!!

DO IT!!!! Getting there is half the adventure! Nice little visitor center with a good informative video. Cool little trinkets. Hike is very nice. Very cool scenery and dwellings!

We took the drive through the Gila all the way to the entrance. We couldn't do the hike in, but in late September, the drive and scenery was awesome. We stopped for a herd of curious deer on the road at one spot, and another herd of pygmy goats crossing in another area. So worth the drive this time of year and pleasant weather.

After our terrible experience in Silver City, my husband and I ALMOST decided to skip the cliff dwellings and leave a day early. THANK GOD WE DIDNT!! If you are thinking about it, GO! This was such an amazing place! Beautiful, educational, awe inspiring. For those of you concerned about the hike up, (I'm overweight and was concerned) it's not bad. Take your time, pace yourself, there's no shame in taking breaks! definitely bring water tho, that is a must! The ranger at the entrance tells you it's a one mile total loop. You climb up(gradually) for a half mile, getting great picture opportunities. Once you reach the cliff dwellings, stop and really appreciate these people that lived here, and talk to the volunteer guides!! They are an amazing source of knowledge. Then you walk the dwellings for a quarter of a mile. There's an option to take stairs down or a ladder, take the ladder. Try to experience what these people were like. After that it's another quarter mile hike down, uneven roughly made stairs, but pretty easy to traverse.

had an amazing afternoon outdoors here with friends the hike is a little over a mile and the old dwellings are unbelievable.

This was one of the most remote pursuits I have ever undertaken, but found it to be worth every mile, mountain switchback and step. My family traveled over 13 hours by car to see these ruins. We stayed in "nearby" Silver City. The locals insisted that either route, 1. along hwy 15 or 2. along highways 180/35 past the largest mine in the Western Hemisphere, would take about 2.5 hours. They were right! We drove to the site on one route and returned on the other. We found the constant sharp winding and switching on narrow roads on the half of the Hwy 15 route closest to Silver City to be exhausting. The the associated endless view of piney trees not worth the stress. We preferred the 180/35 route. The ruins were amazing and the hike to get there was beautiful. A small part near the top of the ascending trail was quite steep, but had plenty of rest stops along the way. Most of the ascending trail followed and bridged back and forth over a crystal clear stream. The decsending trail had two step length steps, which was a little tough on one knee or otherwise a little awkward, but not bad. We picked up a Senior Ranger activity book for our preteen daughter and looked for the answers to the puzzles and questions along the way. Doing so really increased our awareness of the natural nuances we passed. On the way back, some of the small children couldn't resist wading in the stream. This is a must do trip for those who want to see ancient America first hand.

One of THE coolest of all places in the USA. You have unprecedented access to these marvelous living places. Great camping on the site. Beautiful. If you have ever desired to roam pueblos or camp next to ancient petroglyphs, this is your chance. The gift shop in the park HQ is full of exceptional, locally made ceramics.

Nice little park for a short day. We first walked to the caves, it was cool to explore the living quarters. Second we walked a trail for about 2 miles but it went much farther. We excepted more from the caves but it was nice to see new things. The road to the park is a little intimidating but absolutely stunning.

This park is well worth the slow (but scenic) drive from Silver City. We drove in via the "no trailer" route with our little hybrid camper, and out via the more eastern route. Both drives so beautiful. We happened to be there on Thanksgiving Day, and we practically had the place to ourselves. The Visitor's Center was open and there were volunteers at the trailhead and the cliff dwellings to answer questions. Definitely hit the Visitor's Center first and take the time to watch the little video. The hike is quite easy with I believe a 180ft gain. The elevation is 6000 or 7000 feet, so if you are not used to those elevations take it easy. I am not an avid hiker and found it quite easy. The cliff dwellings are small but wonderful, and the one large cave that you end up walking through is awe inspiring. I loved my visit.

This Monument i definitely an adventure. We visit it at least once a year. Be sure and wear good walking shoes as there are more trails along the river to explore as well as wild life to view.

Beautiful drive, easy walk. Worth the time if you are not from around here. If you are, there are many spots to check out. Nice for a lonely walk or a family outing. Good chance of spotting elk, mountain goats and many birds.

The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse into the homes and lives of the Mogollon people who lived in this area over 700 years ago. which were occupied for a period of about 20 years, were abandoned by the Mogollan for unknown reasons. Lying on the edge of the Gila wilderness, the archaeologists say that the homes of this ancient culture are likely very similar to what they were like when they were actually occupied. The dwellings were excavated and carved into the mountainous regions creating varied and interesting homes, which show impressive and adept building skills. Prehistoric North American Indian peoples who lived mainly in the region of the Mogollan Mountains in New Mexico (hence their tribal name) between the late 1200's into the 1300's. This is a must see, if given the chance.

We stayed about 45 mins away at the Georgetown Cabin Resort and this place was highly recommended. The drive was beautiful! The scenery of the mountains and Canyon Lake were absolutely breathtaking! Almost like a prelude to the Cliff Dwellings. It's a short easy hike to get to the top of the Cliff Dwellings but the view is amazing.The cliffs were created by volcanic activity and were inhabited by Mogollon peoples between 1275 and 1300 AD. Although only a few rooms are open now to the public, 46 rooms in the five caves, and believed they were occupied by 10 to 15 families. It is not known why the dwellings were abandoned. Walking through I was amazed and could totally visualize how this home kept the Mogollon peoples safe from weather and predators. Pretty cool site. Must See! Visited March 2014

Wow! Talk about taking a step back into time! What a great experience, walking through these dwellings just imagining what life would be like for these people over 700 years ago. I find it amazing how well this has been protected and preserved over the years, there is still even corn cobs left over! Hike is pretty easy to moderate in some spots but it is short and well worth the trek.

This nice place to visit but be prepared to hike. Both ways (short and long) offer a bit of a challenge if you are not prepared. Also, bring a bottle or camelbak of water (non-flavored), especially on warmer days. There is a fee station ($10 per person) that is cash only. If you have a National Parks Annual or Senior Pass you do not have to pay the fee.

One of the highlights of our vacation was stopping here on the last day. The ride in is spectacular and hat tip to the bartender at Little Toad Creek in Silver City for telling us NOT to go over to Gila Cliff Dwellings after lunch. He said the right back out would be really difficult for us in the dark. Excellent advice. I'm glad we listened. We got up early and headed over - the road indeed is a big adventure. Very well maintained, but super twisty and turn-ey... I can see someone unfamiliar with this road taking it too fast and doing a Thelma and Louise. The park itself is great. Friendly volunteer staff, super supportive, they knew their history and their hydration safety. Plenty of water on hand for before and after the hike. It is a short hike with a little elevation gain. I'm a sea-level living, out of weight human, and thankfully there were a lot of little benches along the way as I did have a challenge at parts. Once I got up to the dwellings it was a glorious time to be there. We left around 3pm, had to beat feet back to Phoenix for our flight. The ride out was a bigger challenge because of the sun in our faces and people driving into the area who probably live in the little town just before the park. Cars were flying at us - it was crazy. And here's a tip - maybe have a roll of TP with you if you stop at the Senator Clinton Anderson overlook. There was no TP in the outhouse. I'm glad we had tissues in the car and I left them for the next humans. This overlook is worth the stop - the view of what used to be Alum Mountain, the evidence of forest fire and education of how the ponderosa pines survived, all incredibly interesting. The Gila Cliffs staff is not in charge of that rest area, the Forest Service is. So they haven't really gotten things rolling yet for the season.

The long drive to get there on a twisty narrow road shouldn't stop you from seeing this place. It is only a mile long loop with some auxiliary trails if you need to hike more. Talk about history, these people lived here for quite awhile without having to deal with the Black Friday nonsense. What a beautiful place.

Fantastic trip back in time when you visit these one-of-a-kind ruins. Excellent preservation of Mogollon home sites, with a lot of very friendly volunteer rangers to give you further guidance. The hike in isn't bad. About a mile, with a little change in elevation. Very manageable. Bring your camera!

Gorgeous place to visit. Little bit of a hike but you hike with other visitors. Gorgeous scenery. Once there it is unbelievable how high up this place is and people actually lived there. Unbelievable and gorgeous at the same time

Awe inspiring. Make a day or two of this place and the surrounding area. Plenty of camping. Lots of hot springs nearby. It's a long, twisty turn road to get here, but so worth it. Grab water, a camera and comfy hiking shoes and explore the caves of the old cliff dwellings. The park rangers are there to talk and inform. Walk the loop back around and enjoy this beautiful place and the history and mystique. Look for the pictographs. The visitor center has goodies to buy and a video to watch and history on the monument and wildlife. And stop by Doc Campbell's store on the way out for some homemade ice cream. Gila Cliff Dwellings are simply unreal, and you can stand in and among them.

A about a two hour drive from Silver City, New Mexico you will find the incredible Gila Cliff Dwellings. The drive is along a winding road but it is beautiful. Don't hurry, enjoy the drive. The caves are amazing to see and enjoy as you can enter the several of the caves. The rangers are very helpful and very well informed. This National Monument is open year around but limited access in the winter. So thankful that our government sees fit to preserve this wonderful place. Don't miss it!

Awesome experience!! The hike up isn't too bad but if you have any mobility issues this is probably not for you. The natives should have installed an escalator, but I enjoyed the hike thoroughly!! Saw many lizards and a desert spotted owl. Group in front of us saw a rattlesnake but we missed it. The cave dwellings were fascinating. They don't allow dogs on the trail but they have free kennels and the staff is very friendly and informative.

There is nothing bad about this place. It's incredible and absolutely fascinating. There are so many educational aspects, and it keeps you active the entire visit! It's a wonderful family outing to be enjoyed more than once.

Nice hike to the monument. Enjoyed walking inside the dwellings while it lasts. Challenging drive up NM 15 to get here! Worth the trip.

Very short hike to the caves. Like most national park trails, this is very accessible and "user friendly." The caves are unlike anything else I've ever seen, definitely a must-do. My husband and I were there for a total of an hour. We enjoyed it!

long drive very very worth it, hit the hot springs while your there.

Easy, scenic loop trail to see the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Lots of staff at the base of the trail and up at the dwellings. No food allowed on the trail and water only- a good rule that they enforce. At the cliff dwellings, you have nearly free access to wander around inside the cave and ask the staff any questions that come to mind. Park staff were helpful and happy to be working there. Highly recommended, even if it is extremely isolated.

GO NOW!!!! This place is fantastic. I can't say enough about it. It is hard to get to and it is a long way down a curvy and narrow road, but you will see some breath-taking nature, cross the continental divide, and thank God that you were able to see this National Park. This is a 14th century archeological find that is probably one of the rare exhibits that you can go inside of and explore. You will be amazed at this place and the history this site holds. If you like national parks, then you will love this place!

Really cool piece of history with friendly park rangers. Although the buttholes vandalizing the signs and walls were not cool. Who the hell shoots bullet holes into plaques???