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New Mexico / Catron County / Gila Wilderness

Gila National Forest

Fireworks, Explosives and Sparks Restrictions

To prevent fires and for public safety order 03-00-23-001 prohibits to 1) possess, discharge, or use any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devices; 2) use explosives; or 3) operate an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device in effective working order.

Motor Vehicle Order Road Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety and prohibits: Using any type of vehicle that does not comply with an applicable state law.Using a road for commercial hauling without a permit or written authorization.Operating a vehicle in violation of speed, load,…

Cannabis Possession Prohibited

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…

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Begin March 23, 2026

The Gila National Forest is planning to enact Stage 1 Restrictions on March 23. The decision was made based on several factors including; long term severe drought in the Gila region, increased tree mortality across the forest due to drought and insects and forecasted weather patterns which…

Vandalism on forest defers maintenance, decreases public safety

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.…

In-person purchases unavailable at Silver City Ranger District Office until 1 pm on Feb. 3

The Silver City Ranger District Office will be open Tuesday, Feb. 3., but we will not be able to sell passes, maps, or permits at this office until after 1 pm MST. Other Gila National Forest offices will be open for in-person purchases: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/offices Online options for…

Small Business Timber Sale 5-year Recomputation

Under provisions of the Small Business Timber Sale Program, Forest Service and Small Business Administration (SBA) policies provide for recomputation of the small business share of National Forest timber sale offerings every five years.Following consultation with the SBA, the Gila National Forest…

Harmful algae detected in Quemado and Snow lakes

The New Mexico Environment Department is warning visitors to use caution at Quemado Lake, Snow Lake, and Hopewell Lake due to the formation of harmful algae blooms. Harmful algae blooms, or HABs, occur when certain types of algae grow excessively in water, posing potential health risks to people…

Forest Road 141 Now Open

Forest Road 141, which provides major access to much of the Reserve Ranger District and the northern boundary of the Gila Wilderness, has reopened for public travel as of Monday, October 6, 2025. The removal and reconstruction of the South Fork Negrito Creek Bridge is complete. Gila National Forest…

Gila National Forest to begin prescribed fires

Gila National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this fall, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through the spring as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and…

Road construction on Forest Road 150 August 11 - September 5

As part of the Gila National Forest’s ongoing Black Fire recovery efforts, a contractor will begin road repair work on a 1-mile segment of Forest Road 150 (North Star Road) beginning August 11. A road crew will complete minor resurfacing, replace culverts, and make other improvements between…

Gila National Forest Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

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)…

14-day Stay Limit

In order to provide for public health and safety and to mitigate impacts on natural resources, camping for longer than 14 days in a consecutive 30-day period is prohibited. The area includes all National Forest Service (NFS) lands within the boundaries of the Gila National Forest (including those…

Fire Weather Watch issued April 10 at 6:17PM MST until April 12 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ

7:17 PM — April 11th, 8:00 AM

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 150, 151 and 152. * TIMING...From Sunday morning through Sunday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 18 to 25 mph with gusts 35 to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Ranging from 8 to 15 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the potential to spread rapidly.

Flash flood risk on HWY 35 and HWY 15

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!

Monsoon Season Flash Flooding

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.

WNP Bookstore closed until further notice

The bookstore located at the Trailhead to the Cliff Dwellings will be closed until further notice.

Heat Advisory

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.

Secure trash and food

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.

No Pets are allowed on the Cliff Dwelling Trail

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.

Overview

Gila National Forest is a 3.3 million-acre forest in southwestern New Mexico, home to the world's first designated wilderness area—the Gila Wilderness (established 1924). The forest is currently open with some localized restrictions. Key current conditions: Quemado Lake and nearby recreation areas remain closed due to harmful algal blooms detected in fall 2025. The forest is conducting prescribed fire operations through spring 2026 as weather permits. The 2025 wildfire season saw significant activity including the Trout Fire (discovered June 12) and Goose Fire, both of which required area closures and Highway 15 restrictions through summer, though most of these closures have been lifted as suppression repair continues. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions may be in effect depending on conditions. The forest encompasses three major wilderness areas: the 559,688-acre Gila Wilderness, the 202,016-acre Aldo Leopold Wilderness, and the 29,304-acre Blue Range Wilderness. Popular destinations include the Catwalk recreation area, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (NPS-managed), and Cosmic Campground—North America's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary on National Forest lands. Always check current alerts for fire restrictions, area closures, and road conditions before your visit, as conditions change frequently during fire season.

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