Welcome to Gila National Forest
The Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico covers a vast landscape of forested and woodland mountains nourished by the Gila River. The beating heart of the forest is the Gila Wilderness, fed by the lifeblood of the Gila River. The Gila is where Wilderness was born - The Gila Wilderness is the world's first area of land designated as wilderness. The forest's remote character imparts a feeling of solitude for visitors who turn off of main highways to explore and discover what the Gila has to offer.
On April 22, 2025, we transitioned our public websites to a modern web platform to better serve the public. With thousands of pages to update, some content may take longer to appear. We appreciate your patience as we work to make it easier than ever to access information and explore your national forests—both online and on the ground. Please send us an email using our Contact Us form if there is something you can't find!
Public surveys coming soon to the Gila
Beginning October 1, the public will encounter contract employees conducting public surveys on the Cibola and Gila national forests in developed and dispersed recreation sites and along forest service roads. They will be out in all types of weather conditions, wearing bright orange vests and be near a sign that reads “Traffic Survey Ahead”.
The National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) survey is being conducted on the two forests beginning in October of 2025 and continuing through September 30, 2026. The information gathered is useful for forest planning as well as local community tourism planning. It provides national forest managers with an estimate of how many people actually recreate on the national forest, what activities they engage in while there, and how satisfied people were with their visit. Economic impact to the local economy is also captured in the survey.
The survey gathers basic visitor information. Surveys are voluntary and all responses are confidential; names are not included. Interviews last about 10 minutes. Questions asked include where you recreated on the forest; how many people traveled with you; how long you were on the forest; what other recreation sites you visited while on the forest, and how satisfied you are with the facilities and services provided. About a third of survey participants will be asked to complete a confidential survey on recreation spending during their trip.
Survey participation allows assessment of visitor experiences on the forest. Please pull over and answer a few questions so we can strive to make it a better place to visit. It’s important for interviewers to talk with local people using the forest, as well as out-of-area visitors, so all types of visitors are represented in the study.
Information about the National Visitor Use Monitoring program can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/nvum.
Fire Hire
Are you looking for job that is anything but ordinary? The Southwestern Region employs permanent and temporary seasonal firefighters and support personnel for ground and air-based wildland fire suppression and fuels management. This includes dispatchers and warehouse crews who assist frontliners with vital logistical and strategic services.
Applications for Permanent Fire Positions Now Open
Applications are due through USAJobs by September 23. Open positions and links to apply are listed on our regional Fire Hire webpage.
Preparing for your visit to the Gila National Forest
Destination: Catwalk Recreation Area
The Catwalk's history began with the discovery of gold and silver in the rugged Mogollon Mountains above Whitewater Canyon. In 1893, the small town of Graham (also known as Whitewater) grew around a mill, located on the west hillside near the present-day location of the parking area. The mill only lasted about 10 years. In the mid-1930's the Civilian Conservation Corps rebuilt the Catwalk. This is a very accessible area for people of all abilities and easily hiked by all ages. After the bridge system the trail becomes steep, with evident flooding damage. A series of trail reconstruction projects are being implemented to gradually restore trail access to Hummingbird Saddle. The recreation site includes Catwalk #207 Trailhead and Whitewater Picnic Area on the Glenwood Ranger District.
Destination: Wilderness Areas
The Gila National Forest includes more wilderness than any other national forest in the Southwest. This undeveloped natural country can refresh the human spirit simply by its grandeur, purity, and remoteness.
Wilderness on the Gila National Forest
- Aldo Leopold Wilderness
The Aldo Leopold Wilderness is 202,016-acres and straddles the Black Range on the eastern side of the Forest - Blue Range Wilderness
The 29,304-acre Blue Range Wilderness adjoins Arizona's rugged Blue Range Primitive Area. - Gila Wilderness
The 559,688-acre Gila Wilderness, created in June 1924 at the urging of the great conservation pioneer Aldo Leopold, was the world's first designated wilderness.
Destination: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is a National Park Service managed area that is surrounded by the Gila National Forest. The surrounding area includes a number of campsites, an interpretive trail and an educational visitors center. Please visit their website for information regarding the Cliff Dwellings, possible closures, and other area information.
Destination: Cosmic Campground Int'l Dark Sky Sanctuary
Cosmic Campground offers a 360-degree view of the night sky for exceptional stargazing opportunities, where there nearest significant source of artificial light is more than 40 miles away. It is a primitive campground with minimal site amenities including an information kiosk, a vault toilet, and four concrete telescope/observation pads.
Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary is the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located on National Forest System lands and also in North America. International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are lands possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights. For more information on dark skies, light pollution, or the International Dark Sky Association.
Maps and Publications
A variety of maps and products are available to help guide your visit
Permits
Find out what permits are available
Passes
Find out what passes are available
Learn more about the Gila National Forest
Caring for the land
Caring for the land
Learn more about how the Gila National Forest is managed and cared for, including travel management, grazing management (including annual operating instructions), forest planning, and assessments and projects, including the Luna Restoration Project.
Gila Forest Plan Revision
The Gila National Forest is in the process of revising its Forest Plan. The Draft Record of Decision, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Final Forest Plan, and Regional Forester's Species of Conservation Concern list were published July 30, 2024. The objection filing period closed September 30, 2024, and eligible objections are available for review in the public reading room. The Legal Notice of Objections Filed and 10-day Request for Interested Persons was published in the Silver City Daily Press on October 10, 2024. The forest is making final revisions based on objection resolution meetings that were held in January 2025.