Hwy 35 and HWY15 is at risk for flash flooding. Please exercise caution while traveling and check the latest weather updates before your trip. Don't drown, turn around!
As we begin the North American Monsoon season it is important to remember that this weather brings sudden storms, lightning, and flash flood risk to the Gila. Check forecasts before visiting, avoid canyons during rain, expect rapidly changing conditions.
The bookstore located at the Trailhead to the Cliff Dwellings will be closed until further notice.
Heat illnesses occur often on the Cliff Dwellings Trail—even with an active monsoon season. Always carry and drink plenty of water—at least 1 liter. Dehydration and heat illness can happen quickly, even on short hikes. Be prepared and hike early.
Pack it in, pack it out! There are no trash services in or around the monument. All food & trash must be secured inside a vehicle. Ravens routinely open zipped bags & tear into trash bags left outside or in the bed of a truck.
Pets are not allowed onto the Gila Cliff Dwelling Trail. Kennels are available at the Trailhead on a First Come First Serve basis and are available to those that are going on the Cliff Dwelling Trail not the Wilderness trails.
Gila National Forest
Order 03-00-00-21-002 prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting a cannabis plant, any part of a cannabis plant, or any substance derived from a cannabis plant within the Southwestern Region National Forests in the State of New Mexico and the National Grasslands in the states of Texas and…
Gila National Forest
The Gila National Forest is issuing a temporary closure order for the Ben Lilly Campground and the Willow Creek Campground, in effect from 6 a.m. on July 21, 2026 through October 16, 2026 (or until rescinded). This order serves to protect public health and safety as monsoonal flood events have…
Gila National Forest
The closure order associated with the Sacaton Fire has been lifted. Areas previous closed under the order (see map below) are now open to the public as of July 17, 2026.The evacuation status for the Willow Creek subdivision has changed to "READY" as of July 13, 2026. For more information on…
Gila National Forest
An area closure goes into effect at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13 for all National Forest System lands east of Catron County Road A095 (Mangas Road), as well as all roads and trails within the area closure (see map).
Gila National Forest
June 1 - November 5The Gila National Forest will close approximately 1.5 miles of Forest Road (FR) 220 north of Luna while a contractor for the Federal Highway Administration removes and replaces a bridge over Romero Creek, just east of Romero Lake. FR 220 will be closed near the Romero Creek…
Gila National Forest
Spring usually coincides with increased animal activity, and this year is no exception. Over the past couple of months, we have received reports of possibly rabid and aggressive animals near popular recreation areas:In early April, we received multiple reports over one weekend of suspected rabid…
Gila National Forest
Resources diverted from recreation improvements and law enforcement to address damage from vandalismRepairing, restoring, and investigating vandalized sites takes Forest Service time and U.S. taxpayer money away from making other improvements on the 3.3 million acres of the Gila National Forest.…
Gila National Forest
PROHIBITIONSPursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Gila National Forest (including those lands identified on the Gila National Forest Map as Apache National Forest, within the State of New Mexico)…