Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
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Gila Cliff Dwellings at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- Half day–1 day
- Don't miss
- Main Gila Cliff Dwellings highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
- Nearby city
- Mimbres, NM
Explore this park
About Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
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.
3 current NPS alerts
- Information: Water Availability
- Information: No Pets are allowed on the Cliff Dwelling Trail
- Information: Secure trash and food
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 1, 2026). Official Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument page on nps.gov
Weather Information
Weather is extremely variable.
- Summer
are usually around 90° F.
- Winter
have occasional snow or temperatures near 0° F.
but approach 100° F. Thunderstorms are common in the summer and early fall, usually in the afternoon.
Operating Hours
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
Common questions
Planning Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Gila Cliff Dwellings. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
