The Gila Cliff Dwellings are located in the Gila National Forest about 35 miles from Silver City, NM. They were built by the Mogollon Culture between the late 1270s and 1300s. They were hunters and gathers and nobody knows why they abandoned their home that they built up in the Gila Mountains. Unfortunately most of their dwellings were destroyed before the area became protected monument in 1907. There are many campgrounds on the way to the dwellings and the Gila Wilderness has tons of places to hike and explore. Unfortunately due to time restraints this was the only place I was able to hike. However it was by no means disappointing. It's free to hike the dwellings and the hike is short. I was one of 5 people that was hiking the dwellings on a beautiful sunny weekend.The beauty of the forest was so relaxing. It's rare when a hike is relaxing for me. Usually it's a challenge, to which I love, but this hike was pure delight. It was easy, beautiful, very peaceful and quiet. Once you reach the dwellings, you're immerse with how massive it is. It's so cool, they have done an excellent job at preserving it, you can climb to see it-up close and personal. There are sa lot of signs of the smoke they would burn inside the dwelling when you see its ceiling. What's so fascinating about this place is how perfectly in tact the walls and windows are. It truly is remarkable at how skilled these people were. It left me in awe, in the same way I was in awe of Machu Pichu. It breaks my heart to know that this is the only dwelling left of this remarkable civilization, but we are so lucky to at least know that they were here. The hike loops around to the parking lot and through my research I read that there are several hot springs within the Gila Wilderness. I had my heart set on the Jordan Hot Springs, which is supposed to be one of the best in the whole area, however the hike to and from the springs is 8 hrs and since I was short on time, I sadly didn't get to do this, however there is a fantastic campsite not far from the dwellings called the Gila Hot Springs Campsite and for $7 you can get a 2 hour guest pass to use 3 natural hot springs. Naturally I had to go-even though I didn't have a bathing suit with me- I still managed to check it out and let me tell ya they didn't disappoint. This truly was THE most perfect way to end a fabulous, relaxing hike up in one of the most gorgeous forests in the Southwest. What an incredible experience it was to be here! I loved every single minute of this awesome experience.
This is the first site you see as you hike your way up to the dwellings, totally tucked away in the mountain.
The view as you go into the dwelling , the black ceiling is smoke that the Mogollons would burn inside the dwelling.
Gila Hot Spring Campground, for $7 you can soak for 2 hours in hot springs where the water is from 90-107º
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