Park Hours (Today)
9:00AM - 4:00PM
WNP Park Store: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
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About the Park
For thousands of years, groups of nomads used the caves above Cliff Dweller Creek as temporary shelter. In the late 1200s, people of the agricultural Mogollon (Southern Ancestral Pueblo) culture made it a home. They built rooms, crafted pottery and raised children in the cliff dwellings for one or two generations. By approximately 1300, the Mogollon had moved on, leaving the walls behind.
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Self-Guided Tours
Canyon Companion: Self-guided tour of the dwellings
This tour is designed for those hiking Cliff Dweller Canyon to view the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Allow at least one hour to hike the one-mile loop and explore the dwellings.
Visitor Centers
WNP Park Store
At the trailhead to the cliff dwellings, you will find our park store operated by the Western National Parks. Many items related to the park, the Gila Wilderness, and to the Continental Divide Trail are available, as well as souvenirs and American Indian crafts. Park staff are available to answer questions and help plan visits. Come discover your heritage and your public lands.
Gila Visitor Center
Visitors can get information for visiting the park and watch an orientation film, and tour the museum.
Where to Stay
Upper Scorpion Campground
Upper Scorpion Campground is a partially developed campground within walking distance of the West Fork of the Gila River. The campground is located less than one mile from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument just off of NM State Highway 15. Drinking water is available, tables and grills are provided at select sites. Vault toilets are available on site. Camping is free of charge and first-come, first-served.
Lower Scorpion Campground
Lower Scorpion Campground is a partially developed campground within walking distance of the West Fork of the Gila River. The campground is located less than one mile from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument just off NM State Highway 15. Drinking water is available, tables and grills are provided at select sites. Vault toilets are available on site. Camping is free of charge and first-come, first-served.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
Passenger vehicles can drive north of Silver City, New Mexico to the monument on NM Hwy 15. The 46 mile trip can take up to two hours due to the narrow and mountainous curving nature of the road. RVs and vehicles pulling trailers should NOT use NM Hwy 15. From Silver City, take US Highway 180 to Santa Clara. Turn left onto NM Hwy 152 and drive to San Lorenzo. At San Lorenzo, turn left onto NM Hwy 35 and follow it to its termination at NM Hwy 15. Turn right on NM Hwy 15 and follow signs to the park.
Park Amenities
Operating Hours
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
The National Monument and Visitor Center are open all year and are closed only for Thanksgiving Day (the 4th Thursday of November), Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1).
- Monday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Tuesday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Wednesday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Thursday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Friday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Saturday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Sunday9:00AM - 4:00PM
Photos
View of Mogollon dwelling rooms within a cave.
Cliff Dwellings walls and rooms with narrow catwalk
Exterior view of Mogollon Cliff Dwelling
Distant view of Gila river valley and mountains beyond.
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
1 day
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