History & Culture

Area History and Forest Background

The Gila National Forest boasts a rich history of the Mogollon and Apache Indians, Spaniards, Mexicans, ranchers, prospectors and miners. Apache tribal Chiefs Mangas Coloradas, Geronimo, and Victorio; Aldo Leopold: conservationist, ecologist and author of the Sand County Almanac, and renowned lion hunter Ben Lilly are but a few of the personalities from the past that have left their mark in the Gila. Place names like Raw Meat Canyon, Tepee Canyon and Grave Canyon tell the tales of the past. More information.

History of the Gila Wilderness

The Gila Wilderness was established in 1924 as the first designated wilderness in the United States. Early in the 20th century, famed naturalist Aldo Leopold recommended a new idea; the preservation of large areas of wild country to be set aside from the impositions of man as wilderness. More information.