Gila Cliff Dwellings: Are They Worth Visiting? (2024)
Want to know if the Gila Cliff Dwellings are worth visiting? We’ve got you covered with everything we know from our visit there!
While the Gila Cliff Dwellings area is remote, it’s an easy place to explore once you’re there.
There’s a short trail that leads you to the dwellings and once you’re there, there are National Park volunteers and rangers to answer any questions, lead you around if you want, or if you ask nicely, they might take some family photos for you.
You can spend as much time up there as you want (as long as they’re not about to close for the night) and it’s a short trail back to the parking lot.
That’s all there is to it, but it’s so fun to visit and so scenic.
If you have kids that are climbers, this will be a fun one for them.
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Are The Gila Cliff Dwellings Worth Visiting?
I’ll make this really short and simple – yes!
The Gila Cliff Dwellings are absolutely worth visiting and should be added to your bucket list.
While these dwellings are in quite a remote location, it’s a really easy place to visit once you’re there.
It’s fun to climb around the ladders, every inch of this area is scenic, and it’s a great place to spend a day outdoors.
Gila Cliff Dwellings One Day Itinerary
When we visited, we were there for just over an hour.
The trail going out to the dwellings and back is a 1 mile loop, so you really get to spend most of your time walking around (and climbing through) the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
While the loop trail isn’t the main attraction, it offers some phenomenal views along the way of the dwellings themselves and of the surround area.
Driving To The Gila Cliff Dwellings
Depending on where you’re driving from, it’s a pretty long drive in to where the visitor center and dwellings are.
So I highly recommend topping off your gas tank in Silver City, New Mexico if you’re passing through that way.
It’s about 45 miles South of the visitor center.
Regardless of if you’re driving in from Tucson, Albuquerque, or Las Cruces, you’ll end up approaching the dwellings from the South because it’s the only road into the park.
As you get closer, the drive gets a little more tedious with long, windy roads, so be cautious and aware of your surroundings when you drive in.
Like I mentioned previously, Silver City is just 45 miles South of the visitor center, but in real time, that’s about an hour and a half before you get to the dwellings.
So it’s also a great spot for a stretch break, bathroom break, and a food stop.
Here are some breakdowns of driving times and distances from the nearest towns you may be driving in from with regularly expected traffic:
Albuquerque to Gila Cliff Dwellings – 258 miles – 4 hours and 50 minutes
Las Cruces to Gila Cliff Dwellings – 153 miles – 3 hours and 5 minutes
Tucson to Gila Cliff Dwellings – 245 miles – 4 hours and 20 minutes
When you finally arrive at the visitor center and park, there will be a National Park ranger at the trailhead to give you any instructions or directions you might need during your visit.
They will also be happy to answer any questions you have.
When we visited we weren’t exactly sure how the visit would go, but they helped us realize how simple it really is.
The Trail To The Dwellings
The trail to and from the Gila Cliff Dwellings is a 1 mile loop trail.
There are a couple bridges, some inclines, and some steps as you get closer to the dwellings.
As you make your way through the trail, you’re going deeper into the canyon walls.
Depending on the time of day you’re visiting, this may create some shade for you, but don’t bet on having shade until you get into the dwellings.
You can see in the next photo just how high up the cliff dwellings are from the ground level trails.
You can also see in this next photo the types of steps you’ll encounter on your walk up to the dwellings.
Some may be uneven, but they’re mostly pretty flat, and the incline is fairly low grade in most spots.
Like anywhere in nature, be aware of where you’re stepping whether it’s just uneven ground or the variety of wildlife that can be found in this area.
Views of the Dwellings
As you’re approaching the cliff dwellings, at first it just seems like a random hole in the rocks.
From many angles you can’t really see anything and it looks like it could just be an empty cave.
But then, as your elevation increases, you start to see glimpses and shadows of what might be awaiting you inside.
When the sun is hitting just right, you can begin to see structures inside these caves.
Climbing Into The Dwellings
So you’ve finally made it to the entrance of the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Now the fun part begins!
You get to climb up and down all the ladders you want.
Even when you’re inside there are even more ladders to see into a variety of ruins .
The ladders are easy enough for most kids that are at least 4-5 years old.
Kids younger than that will probably need a little more assistance, like being carried, so make sure you’re being careful and you have someone to spot you, just in case.
Inside the Gila Cliff Dwellings
Inside the Gila Cliff Dwellings there will be a volunteer or a ranger that can lead you around to different rooms and answer any questions you have.
Or if you don’t have any questions in particular they’ll gladly share the history of these dwellings, the people that inhabited them, and even some fun facts you wouldn’t even think to ask about.
These is not a lot in terms of artifacts or re-creations here, but many rooms are intact enough where you can tell what it’s purpose was.
Views Looking Out From The Gila Cliff Dwellings
Once you’re done looking around inside the Gila Cliff Dwellings, be sure to enjoy this unique vantage point.
You’re overlooking the trail you took to get up into the dwellings and in some directions you can see far beyond the canyon you just walked through to get here.
Whenever you’re ready, you can just climb back down the ladder and continue on the loop trail that leads back to the parking lot.
Hotels Near The Gila Cliff Dwellings
When we visited the Gila Cliff Dwellings it was part of a month long road trip around the Four Corner states – Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.
So we didn’t actually stay in any of the nearby hotels.
We drove in (almost 5 hours) from the Camp Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson, Arizona outside of Saguaro National Park.
Then the same night after we visited the Gila Cliff Dwellings we drove to Las Cruces, New Mexico to stay at their KOA, which was a little over a 3 hour drive.
But if you’re looking to stay in a nearby hotel, you have a few options.
Silver City is the closest town with accommodations as you’re leaving the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
It’s about 45 miles South of the visitor center, but it takes about an hour and a half to drive here due to the windy roads.
There are a few hotel/motel chains here, some cabin rentals, and a KOA.
If it were me, I would either book the Holiday Inn Express or the KOA, depending on the time of year I would be visiting, the weather forecast, and if I need to do any work while I’m traveling.
✅ Holiday Inn Express Silver City
The Holiday Inn Express in Silver City carries an 8+ score out of 10 on their guest ratings.
Staying with a well known chain, you have an idea of what you’re going to get, making it a pretty safe bet.
It’s kept up nicely and doesn’t look old and dingy like some of the other more rural hotels.
They offer free breakfast, free parking, and free wifi.
Their amenities include a fitness center, a pool, and laundry facilities.
Click Here To Book Your Holiday Inn Express Silver City Stay Today!
✅ Silver City KOA
We love staying at KOAs when we’re on road trips because they’re always in convenient locations that most hotels just aren’t in.
You can choose from a camp site where you set up your own tent, an RV site, or a variety of cabins.
The cabins come in a few different sizes to accommodate small and large groups.
Some are full furnished while others you need to bring your own linens.
It’s very clear on the bookings though, so just check before you confirm your reservation.
Click Here To Book Your Silver City KOA Stay Today!
Gila Cliff Dwellings Fun Facts
Below are some fun facts that answer some of the most frequently asked questions we see about visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Where are the Gila Cliff Dwellings located?
The Gila Cliff Dwellings are in a remote area of Southwest New Mexico, near the border of Arizona.
As you can see in the map image below, these dwellings are encircled by towns like Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and El Paso.
Each of these towns is anywhere from 3-6 hours away, with Las Cruces being the closest.
Why are the Gila Cliff Dwellings famous?
The Gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico are renowned for their ancient Mogollon cliffside homes, crafted over 700 years ago.
These structures, etched into the cliffs, highlight the resourcefulness of the indigenous people who inhabited the area.
Since the late 1800s, the site has attracted archaeologists and tourists fascinated by its historical and cultural significance.
It’s become a haven for those intrigued by Native American history and seeking a tangible link to the past.
Visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings offers a chance to step into history, explore ancient civilizations’ architectural feats, and soak in the stunning natural surroundings.
The site appeals to history buffs, nature enthusiasts, and anyone keen on delving into the stories of past civilizations in a serene, picturesque setting.
How long did people live at or occupy the Gila Cliff Dwelling site?
The Gila Cliff Dwellings were inhabited for a relatively short period in history.
The Mogollon people, who built these cliffside homes, occupied the site for approximately two decades, believed to be from the late 1200s to the early 1300s.
This timeframe represents the primary period of construction and habitation of these dwellings.
After that, the site was abandoned, and the reasons behind their departure remain a subject of archaeological speculation.
How many rooms are in the Gila Cliff Dwellings?
The Gila Cliff Dwellings contain around 40 rooms, although the exact count may vary slightly due to the natural erosion and structural changes that have occurred over time.
These rooms were carved into the cliffs and interconnected, forming a complex of living spaces, storage areas, and communal areas within the dwellings.
Where are the Anasazi cliff dwellings located?
The Anasazi Cliff Dwellings are ancient architectural marvels crafted by the Ancestral Puebloans, formerly known as the Anasazi, between approximately 550 AD to 1300 AD.
These cliff dwellings are remarkable structures built into the natural alcoves and cliffs of canyons in the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States.
Constructed primarily from stone, mud, and timber, these dwellings served as homes, storage spaces, and ceremonial sites for the Ancestral Puebloans.
The buildings were often multi-storied, featuring intricate masonry, wooden beams, and connecting rooms that showcased their advanced architectural and engineering skills.
These cliff dwellings are significant archaeological sites, offering insights into the daily lives, social structures, and cultural practices of the Ancestral Puebloans.
They stand as enduring testaments to the ingenuity and adaptability of these ancient peoples in utilizing the natural landscape to create thriving communities.
The Anasazi cliff dwellings are primarily located in the southwestern United States, particularly in the Four Corners region where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet.
These dwellings are found in various places across this region, with notable sites like Mesa Verde in Colorado, Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, and several other locations where the Anasazi people constructed their remarkable cliffside homes and settlements.
What’s the difference between the Anasazi Cliff Dwellings and the Gila Cliff Dwellings?
The Anasazi Cliff Dwellings and the Gila Cliff Dwellings represent distinct archaeological sites created by different ancient cultures in different regions of the American Southwest.
The Anasazi Cliff Dwellings were built by the Ancestral Puebloans, formerly known as the Anasazi, between approximately 550 AD to 1300 AD.
These dwellings are located in the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States, notably in places like Mesa Verde in Colorado, Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, and Canyon de Chelly in Arizona.
They are characterized by intricate multi-storied structures carved into cliffs and alcoves, showcasing advanced masonry and architecture.
On the other hand, the Gila Cliff Dwellings were constructed by the Mogollon people around 700 years ago in what is now the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico.
These dwellings, totaling around 40 rooms, are smaller in scale compared to some of the larger Anasazi sites.
The Gila Cliff Dwellings exhibit a unique architectural style and were inhabited for a relatively shorter period—approximately two decades—before being abandoned.
While both types of cliff dwellings are examples of ancient Native American architecture built into natural cliff faces, they belong to distinct cultural groups and regions, showcasing different styles, time periods, and historical contexts.
Resources For Planning Your Trip To The Gila Cliff Dwellings
For New Mexico travel in particular, I recommend checking out our New Mexico Road Trip Itinerary and consider staying at the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder Casino Resort during your travels!
For National Park lovers, check out our weekend getaway guide to visiting Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns National Parks.
They’re so close to each other!
Conclusion: Gila Cliff Dwellings – Are They Worth Visiting?
If you’re still wondering if the Gila Cliff Dwellings are worth visiting, our answer is still a resounding yes!
I’d love to go back and show others around, despite how remote the area is because it was truly a highlight of our road trip around the American Southwest.
