State of New Mexico

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is the 85th park I’ve visited, as are some of the smaller Ancestral Puebloan sites in New Mexico I have been to. However, they are well intact and in better condition than many others I’ve seen. Their location and the surrounding landscape are spectacular. The trail to the ruins winds through the woods and along the cliff, leading you up and under the cliff itself. The well-preserved remnants offer a captivating glimpse over 700 years into the past.

The ruins are located on the edge of Gila National Forest. Depending on your route, visitors will travel from NM-35 N from San Lorenzo to NM-15 N or NM-15 N from Silver City. A part of your drive will be next to a river. If rain is forecasted, be mindful of potential flooding. The route to Gila Cliff Dwellings includes driving over a ridgeline with steep grades of 10%–12%. Strong gusty winds can pose a danger to larger vehicles like RVs or those pulling campers. To leave the ruins, you must take one of the previously mentioned routes back, so staying aware of weather conditions is crucial. There are no alternative routes leaving the park.

Brief History of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

It’s important to understand and know that many locations in the southwest were occupied, abandoned, and later occupied. This may include establishing temporary structures and re-occupying permanent structures. Prior to the Gila Cliff Dwellings being constructed, fragments of hunting weapons found suggest archaic hunters used these caves. The soot on the roof of the cave may represent thousands of years of occupation.

The people who built Gila Cliff Dwellings are known as the Tularosa Mogollon, a name given by archaeologists. Tree ring dating indicates the dwellings were occupied for about 30 years, from 1270 to 1300 C.E., during a regional drought. In the canyon below the cliff dwellings, there is a stream that provides fresh water to the residents. The woods offered natural resources as well as access to an abundance of woodland game.

No one is certain why the Tularosa Mogollon abandoned the cliff dwellings. However, it’s likely that they joined other pueblos located in present-day New Mexico or Mexico.

More Information for Your Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument Visit

If you found this article interesting, explore my other visits to state parks or national parks in New Mexico. Or check out other articles related to the Indigenous People of the Southwest or Indigenous Peoples of North America.

For more information about Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, its days and hours of operation, as well as fees, visit nps.gov. Also newmexico.org for other information that might improve your visit.

Location

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
26 Jim Bradford Trail
Mimbres, NM 88049