Gila Wilderness

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.

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…

Romero Creek bridge replacement and traffic closure north of Luna (FR 220)

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…

Potentially Dangerous Animal Encounters

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…

Hummingbird Fire Forest Closure and Updates

Hummingbird Fire Emergency Closure for Public Health and SafetyGlenwood, Reserve, and Wilderness Ranger DistrictsAs of June 1, the closure order for the Hummingbird Fire has been lifted. All trails previously closed under the order are now open. Hummingbird Fire updates are posted on Facebook,…

Suspected rabid animals reported near Cliff Dwellings

We recently received several reports of suspected rabid animals near the Gila Cliff Dwellings. DO NOT APPROACH ANY ANIMAL EXHIBITING STRANGE BEHAVIOR.If you encounter any animal that seems sick or is acting strangely, call the New Mexico Department of Wildlife (Las Cruces Office) at 575-532-2100…

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Begin March 23, 2026

The Gila National Forest will enact Stage 1 Restrictions on March 23. This decision is 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 indicate higher…

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.…

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…

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…

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)…