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 a
Free — you won’t need your pass here.
Free entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
- Fee type No fee — No fee is charged here.
- HoursThe 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).
- Source National Park Service ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Confirmed
- Official pagewww.nps.gov ↗
- Contact (575) 323-2904 · gicl_information@nps.gov
Passenger vehicles can drive north of Silver City, New Mexico to the monument on NM Hwy 15. The 46 mile trip can take up to two hours due to the narrow and mountainous curving nature of the road. RVs and vehicles pulling trailers should NOT use NM Hwy 15. From Silver City, take US Highway 180 to San
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
No Is there a fee at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument?
No — it’s free to enter, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Yes Can you camp at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument?
Yes — camping is available. Reserve ahead where required; you can check availability on Recreation.gov.
Depends Can you have a campfire?
Sometimes — campfires are subject to seasonal fire restrictions and bans. Always check current fire conditions first.
Yes Are there hiking trails?
Yes — trails here include CLIFF DWELLING TRAIL, GCD.TRAIL, TJ HORSETRAIL, and more. Check length and difficulty before you go.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Usually only leashed and in developed areas, campgrounds, and paved paths — not on most trails or in buildings. Pet rules vary by park, so check first.
No Are drones allowed?
No — launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on National Park Service land.
Yes What are the 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).
Nearby sites
Zereshk / CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons U.S. Forest Service Gila National Forest
CheckThis Forest Service site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.
Continental Divide Wilderness Study Area
CheckThis Bureau of Land Management site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.