View of the Gila National Forest. Photo by Bill Gray.

Gila National Forest and Gila Wilderness

The Gila National Forest is a protected national forest established in 1905. Part of the area, the Gila Wilderness, was established in 1942 as the first designated wilderness by the U.S. federal government. Within the boundaries of the 3.3 million acres of the Wilderness are the Aldo Leopold Wilderness and the Blue Range Wilderness. The forest covers parts of Grant, Catron, Sierra and Hidalgo Counties in picturesque Southwestern New Mexico with forest headquarters in Grant County 's largest town, Silver City .

The Forest has terrain with rugged mountain ranges and deep canyons, and in other areas, semi-desert land. Much of the area is extremely rugged and as a result, unspoiled.

View of the Cliff Dwellings. Photo by Bill Gray.

The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

44 miles north of Silver City , is one of the most popular areas to visit. It is open except for the Christmas holidays. Activities available are camping, fishing, picnicking and visiting the actual Cliff Dwellings, prehistoric Native American pueblo dwelling ruins, which you can visit on your own with a self-guided trail, or you can go on regular tours. The Dwellings offer a view of the lifestyle of the Native Americans who lived there from the 1270s to the early 1300s. The area probably looks much as it did when it was inhabited. A tour of the Dwellings takes approximately an hour. Elevation is about 6,000 feet, and the one-mile loop trail that leads to the Dwellings is about 180 feet above the canyon floor. Several natural cavities contain groups of small, but well-preserved dwellings of an overhanging cliff about 150 ft. high. A Visitors Center offers information about the history and natural setting and books are also available.

Surrounding the Dwellings are beautiful wilderness trails, and camping is available at Scorpion Campground or more primitive camping can be done at the Grapevine or Forks Campground along the Gila River 's nearby banks. Other activities include hiking, horseback trips or extended Wilderness trips.

View from Iron Bridge of the Gila River in Cliff, New Mexico. Photo by Blake Farley.

The Gila River

The Gila River runs near the Cliff Dwellings for approximately 630 miles over desert land to the Colorado River . There are several hot springs including Jordan Hot Springs, Middle Fork Hot Springs, and Turkey Creek Hot Springs.

View of the Catwalk in Glenwood, New Mexico. Photo by Bill Gray.

The Catwalk National Scenic Trail and Whitewater Picnic Ground

The Catwalk is 5 miles northeast of Glenwood , New Mexico, approximately 30 miles from Silver City. The unique “catwalk” consists of a 250-foot metal causeway clinging to the sides of boulder-choked Whitewater Canyon. In some places the catwalk is only 20 feet wide, but the area is gorgeous and the views are incredible. The original catwalk was a gravity-fed waterline that supplied power and water to a mill nearby. However, in 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a new metal walk so visitors cold explore the canyon with views of running water below them. There area several areas where you can relax on the banks of a stream shaded by sycamores, and some places where you can get in, if you like cold water.

There is also a nice picnic spot, Whitewater Picnic Area, at the entrance to the Catwalk.

View of the City of Rocks. Photo by Bill Gray.

City of Rocks State Park

The City of Rocks State Park between Silver City and Deming New Mexico consists of a one-square mile area in the Chihuahuan desert containing beautiful geological formations. The naturally sculpted rock columns are as tall as 40 feet and are divided by paths resembling alleyways. The rock formations were created millions of years ago by a large volcanic eruption. The erosion which has occurred ever since has continued to sculpt the rock into gorgeous shapes, many of which have been named by visitors.

It is likely that prehistoric people camped among the rocks to find shelter. From approximately 750-1250 A.D., Mimbres Indians lived in the area. Occasionally, an arrowhead, grinding stone or a shard of pottery is found in the park. Apaches later lived in the area, and the Spanish explorers, and then settlers began to move into the area in the 1500s.

The park is marked by typical Chihuahuan desert vegetation like yucca, barrel, hedgehog and ocotillo cacti, several kinds of agave, desert willow, bird-of-paradise, and Emory and gray oak. After a rainstorm, wildflowers often appear.

Snakes are common in the area and it's a good idea to make lots of noise and stomp when you walk through the park, especially on hot summer days. In addition to bull and garter snakes, there are also several kinds of rattlers that live in the area, including the Mojave Green, Prairie and Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes. In addition, there are numerous kinds of lizards, desert tortoises, scorpions, and tarantulas.

Over 30 species of bird make their habitat in the City of Rocks Park, including bald and golden eagles, several types of hawk, owls, cactus wrench, finches, and roadrunners. If you're lucky, you may find nests in some of the rock openings. There are also ground squirrels, cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits, coyotes, packrats, and kangaroo mice.

Park facilities include camp sites and picnic areas, a small desert botanical garden and nice hiking trails. A beautiful Visitor Center includes a display area and restrooms with hot showers. Ask volunteers for coloring books illustrating titled rock formations in the park.