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Gila National Forest Guide

New Mexico’s Gila National Forest is home to the first federally declared wilderness area in the United States. Officials have divided this 3.5-million-acre forest into five different sections with headquarters at Truth or Consequences, Glenwood, Reserve, Quemado, and Mimbres. The San Francisco, Gila, and Mimbres Rivers are fantastic places to go fishing and boating while the Cooney's Tomb, El Caso Lookout Tower, Beaverhead, Reed's Peak, and Cherry Creek areas are terrific hiking destinations. When you visit Gila National Forest, leave time to explore the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. The diversity of elevations makes this forest a unique place to visit because; while lower elevations can be hot and dry, higher elevations often stay cool and wet. 

RV Rentals Near Gila National Forest

Shape Hiking Trails

Gila National Forest Hiking Trails

Things to Do

Activities in Gila National Forest

map-marker-alt-regular How to Get There

How to get to Gila National Forest

Address: Gila National Forest Headquarters, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM 88061 

Fee: Entry Fee (per person)

There is no entry fee.

Gila National Forest is a unique place where you can go fishing, hiking, and camping. There are beautiful plants and animals to see in their natural habitat. An RV is a convenient and comfortable way to explore all that Gila National Forest has to offer. If you do not have an RV, it is easy to rent one on RVshare.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Gila National Forest

Does Gila National Forest offer free camping sites?

Yes, Gila National Forest offers free camping sites. Dispersed camping is allowed in many areas of the forest. Campers must bring everything with them, including water, and leave no trace when they pack up camp.

Is there a limit to how long you can camp in Gila National Forest?

Yes, there is a limit to how long you can camp in Gila National Forest. You can camp for up to 14 days within a 30-day period in the forest.

Is Gila National Forest open all year round?

Yes, the Gila National Forest is open year-round. The weather does get cold in winter, and it can snow between December - February, but there is a lot to see in the forest, regardless of the season! The Gila Cliff Dwellings are also open year-round, except for a few holidays.

Do you need a permit to fish or hunt in Gila National Forest?

Yes, you do need a permit to hunt in Gila National Forest. Anyone twelve or older also needs a fishing license to fish in the forest.

What type of wildlife lives in Gila National Forest?

Wildlife living in Gila National Forest includes black bears, mountain lions, deer, antelope, and wild turkeys. Birds including a variety of raptors also live in the forest - in fact, there have been 337 different bird species seen in the forest.