¡Bienvenidos!
Welcome to the WNMU Outdoor Experience
Below you’ll find a list of some popular places and things to do outdoors. To protect these natural
resources, please follow posted rules and regulations. Tread lightly and keep motorized vehicles on
established trails. Plan ahead and be prepared. While you’re exploring, use good judgment: pack out all
of your trash; build fires only in designated areas and be extremely careful with open flame; be sure
camp fires are out cold. Remember to bring water on all of your excursions, and drink plenty of it.
Most of all, take some time to get to know the outdoors - you won’t be disappointed!
BACKPACKING
Gila National Forest and Gila Wilderness
General Information: 1.575.388.8201
3005 E. Camino del Bosque • Silver City, NM 88061
Take time to explore the Nation’s third largest National Forest and first Wilderness Area; hundreds of
miles of fantastic trails. Call or visit the Visitor Center more information, maps, and restrictions.
Getting there: Silver City is surrounded by the Gila! Get on HWY 180 and travel east or west; take HWY
15 and head north, or take HWY 90 and go south….. You’ll be in the Gila in no time!
BOULDERING/ROCK CLIMBING/ RAPPELLING
*Bring your own gear. Climb and boulder at your own risk.
City of Rocks State Park
P.O. Box 50 • Faywood, NM 88034
Phone: 1.575.536.2800
Activities: Camping, day-use, bouldering, stargazing parties, and more.
Getting there: From Silver City, take US 180 south approximately 28 miles to NM 61. Turn left on NM 61
toward Faywood; 4 miles to the park entrance road.
Rates: $5/car/day-use; $8 primitive camp site
Hueco Tanks
6900 Hueco Tanks Road No 1 • El Paso, TX 79938
General and reservations: 915.857.1135
Activities: Climbing is restricted in order to protect archaeological areas, but Hueco Tanks is considered
to be one of the best bouldering sites in America. Approximately 50 established routes, including jughauls, technical vertical faces, cracks, long chimneys, and plenty of exposure. Most routes have bolts.
You need to be proficient at finding and placing gear for runout sections. You must call for reservations.
Best times to visit: October- April.
Getting there: Located 30 miles east of El Paso and about 5 hours from Silver City off I-10. Camping is
available.
CAR CAMPING IN THE GILA
* In general, there will be no drinking water or wood available in these areas; bring your own (you can also use
charcoal or propane). Don’t forget your tent, a cooler, and a camp chair! Fire restrictions may apply - call the USFS
Supervisor’s Office at 575.388.8201 for more information.
Cherry Creek Campground
Open all year; no fee; picnic tables and grills; vault toilet; NO POTABLE WATER
Getting there: Located 14 miles north of Silver City on the east side of HWY 15
Forks Campground
Open all year; no fee; vault toilet; NO POTABLE WATER
The Forks Campground provides primitive camping opportunities along the West Fork of the Gila River.
Getting there: located approximately five miles south of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
just off NM State Highway 15 and just north of the Gila River Bridge.
Grapevine Campground
Open all year; no fee; vault toilet; NO POTABLE WATER
This campground is located on the banks of the East Fork of the Gila River; close to the Gila Cliff
Dwellings National Monument and the town of Gila Hot Springs.
Getting there: Located 40 miles north of Silver City on the north side of HWY 15
McMillan Campground
Open all year; no fee; picnic tables and grills; vault toilet; NO POTABLE WATER
Getting there: Located 15 miles north of Silver City on the east side of HWY 15
Scorpion Campgrounds
Open all year; no fee; vault toilet; picnic tables and grills; drinking water is available at Visitor Center
about ½ mile away
Getting there: Located more than 40 miles north of Silver City, on HWY 15. Allow at least 2 hours drive
time from Silver City to reach Scorpion Campgrounds. These are the campgrounds closest to the Gila Cliff
Dwellings National Monument.
CAVING/SPELUNKING
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Visitor Center: 727 National Parks Highway • Carlsbad, NM 88220
Toll Free: 1.877.444.6777
Getting there: Located 5 to 6 hours east of Silver City. Visit website for driving directions.
Rates: Guided tours: $8- $20/adult; Self guided: $6/adult; children 15 and under free
Kartchner Caverns State Park
P.O. Box 1849 • Benson, AZ 85602
Park: 1.520. 586.2283
Information Line: 1.520.586. 4100
Rates: Tickets $35.90 each
Getting there: Call for directions and reservations
DAY USE AREAS
Boston Hill
This area reflects Silver City’s hard rock mining era. No amenities.
Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, sightseeing.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Bring drinking water.
Getting there: From Silver City, trailheads are available on Cooper, Cheyenne, Spring and Market
Streets. Many of the trails intersect, offering a range of paths through the area. Maps are posted at all
trailheads. Part of the Silver City Open Space Trail System.
The Catwalk
Reflects the 1800s mining era. Unique site. Wheelchair accessible; picnic tables and grills; vault toilet;
drinking water
Activities: Hiking; site seeing; photography; swimming.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Getting there: From Silver City, head west on HWY 180 until you reach Glenwood. About 1000 yards
north of the Blue Front Bar, turn right on State Rd. 174 for 5 miles. Total driving distance is 66 miles.
Rates: $3.00/car
City of Rocks State Park (see details under Bouldering)
Dragonfly Petroglyph Hike
Dragonfly Trail is well-known for the petroglyphs located approximately 1.5 miles from the trail head.
Activities: Hiking; photography; cycling, horseback riding.
Difficulty: Easy.
Getting there: From Silver City, head east on HWY 180 until you reach Arenas Valley, about 5.4 miles.
Turn left on Arenas Valley Road, heading north. You can’t miss the Dragonfly Trail head and parking
area.
Gomez Peak and Little Walnut Picnic Area
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. Trails and group picnic areas; vault toilet; drinking water.
For group reservations, please contact the Silver City Ranger District at 1.575.388.8201.
Getting there: From HWY 180 in Silver City, turn onto Little Walnut Road (across from the Skate Park)
and head north 6 miles. Picnic area is well marked and will be on your left. No overnight camping.
Lake Roberts Picnic Area
Wilderness Ranger District • Mimbres, NM
Phone: 1.575.536.2250
Camping at Mesa Campground (fee); picnic tables/grill; vault toilet; drinking water.
Activities: picnicking, fishing, birding, hiking and boating (boat ramp available).
Getting there: From Silver City, head north on HWY 15 to the intersection of HWY 35. Turn right off NM
Hwy 35. Allow about 1.5 hr. drive time.
San Vicente Creek Trail
Activities: Day hikes, mountain biking, bird watching.
Difficulty: Creek-side trail is easy; great for families with young children. Limited shade after leaving the
creek-bottom. Not suitable for strollers, no drinking water or toilets. Map is posted at the trailhead
kiosk.
Getting there: From downtown Silver City, head south on Bullard, past Jalisco’s restaurant. Turn left on
Mill Street and park under the HWY 90 bridge. Part of the Silver City Open Space Trail System.
FISHING
*Don’t forget your permit! You can pick up a fishing license in at Chucks Folley, the gas station on HWY
180 in Cliff (575.535.2852); the Glenwood Trading Post in Glenwood (575.539.2321); Doc Campbell’s
Trading Post in Gila Hot Springs (575.536.9551); and the Apache Creek Store, Reserve (on Apache Creek
at the Quemado turnoff) (575.533.6800). Wal-Mart sells them too.
Bill Evans Lake
Activities: 62 acre man-made lake stocked with rainbow trout and small mouth bass; camping, birding,
hiking, and boating/boat ramp.
Getting there: From Silver City, head west on HWY 180 approximately 28 miles, turn left on Forest Road
(FR) 809 and follow the signs.
Gila River
Many places to fish on the Gila and its tributaries!
Lake Roberts Picnic Area (see details under Day Use)
Snow Lake and Willow Creek
Picnic tables/grills; vault toilet; drinking water.
Activities: Relief from summer heat. Snow Lake is stocked with rainbow trout; boating (boat ramp
available); hiking, camping, horseback riding and more. NM Game and Fish stocks Willow Creek with
trout two to three times a year.
Getting there: From Silver City, head west/northwest on HWY 180 approximately 100 miles to Reserve.
From Reserve, take NM 435 south 5.3 miles to where it becomes FR 141. Continue straight on FR 141
for 34.9 miles to FR 28 (Snow Lake sign). Turn right onto FR 28 and go 9.6 miles to "Y" intersection and
FR 142 (Snow Lake sign). Bear left at intersection onto FR 142 and go 8.8 miles to Snow Lake
Campground sign. For Willow Creek, bear right at the intersection and head down slope to Willow Creek
(follow the sign) NOTE: High clearance vehicle recommended. FR 141 becomes gravel after 19 miles with
the road surface remaining gravel all the way to Snow Lake and Willow Creek. This road can be rough,
especially during the monsoon season (July - September).
Quemado Lake
Camping; fishing; vault toilet; NO POTABLE WATER.
Activities: 131 acre man-made lake stocked with trout; camping, birding, hiking, and boating/boat
ramp/pier.
Getting there: From Silver City, head west on HWY 180 approximately 90 miles, turn left on NM 32 and
follow the signs.
HORSEBACK RIDING
*Call ahead for reservations, other services, and rate changes.
Double E Guest Ranch
67 Double E Ranch Road • Gila, NM 88038
Located about 45 minutes west of Silver City in Gila
Getting there: From Silver City, take HWY 180 west about 25 miles. Turn right on NM 211 for 4 miles.
About ¼ mile north of the Gila Post Office, turn right (east) on Hooker Loop Road. Follow the signs.
General Information: 1.866.242.2048
Rates: $25 hour/person; 2 hour minimum
Gila Hot Springs Ranch
Owner: Becky Campbell
HC 68 Box 80 • Silver City, NM 88061
Located north of Silver City in Gila Hot Springs
Phone: 1.575.536.9314 (evenings), or 1.575. 536.9551 (day)
Email: [email protected]
Rates: Full day: $60/person; Half day: $40/ person. A guide is required and is furnished for $60
Gila Backcountry Services
Owners: Zack and Jamie Crockett • 23 Airstrip Rd • Gila Hot Springs, NM
HC 68 Box • 75Y Silver City, NM 88061
Located north of Silver City in Gila Hot Springs
Phone: 575.536.2213
Email: [email protected]
Rates: please call for more info.
Gila Wilderness Ventures
Owner: Leah Jones
HC 61, Box 296 • Glenwood, NM 88039
Located between Glenwood and Alma, 70 miles west of Silver City
Toll Free: 1.866.677.2008 • 1.575.539.2800
Email: [email protected]
Rates: Full day: $95/person (includes lunch)
Half day: $65/person (includes snack)
Two-hour: $45/person
Wolf Horse Outfitters
Owner: Joe Saenz
P.O. Box 837 • Santa Clara, NM 88026
General: 1.575.534.1379
Rates: Variable; see web site
HOT SPRINGS
*many geothermal pools are located throughout the area. The sites listed are easy-access, but there are many
others that can be reached by hiking. Clothing is required at all public pools. Bring plenty of drinking water and
don’t forget a towel.
Faywood Hot Springs
Getting there: From Silver City, take US 180 south approximately 28 miles to NM 61. Turn left on NM 61
toward Faywood. Turn left at the entrance. Camping and lodging available.
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Rates: $12/person/day public pool; see website for private pool rates. Clothing required in public pools.
Frisco Springs
Getting there: Located about 55 miles north of Silver City off HWY 180. Turn left at sign onto Forest
Road to park. Follow Trail 762 downhill; moderate hike of about one hour. Sand bottom pools are on the
right side of the San Francisco River. Clothing optional.
Gila Hot Springs
3 different places to soak.
Getting there: From Silver City, take HWY 15 north to Gila Hot Springs. Turn right on Access Road (1/4
mile south of Doc Campbell's Post). From this point, if you want to go to:
1. Wildwood Hot Springs
…from the Access Road, turn right on Jackass Lane
General Information: 1. 575. 536.3600
Pools are developed; clothing required; camping and cabins available.
Rates: $7/soak; $10/camp and soak/day
2. The Wilderness Lodge
... from the Access Road, turn left on Jackass Lane. The Wilderness Lodge is the only house on
the left. Clothing required.
Rates: see website
3. Gila Hot Springs, public pools
... from the Access Road, go straight ahead. You can’t miss the fun self-pay kiosk and relaxed
atmosphere.
Undeveloped pools; clothing optional; camping available.
Rate: $5/person/night
Sundial Hot Springs
Owner: Shelley Donovan
P.O. Box 157 • Glenwood, NM 88039
General Information: 1. 575. 539.2712
Email: [email protected]
Getting there: 60 miles north of Silver City on HWY 180, between mile markers 55 and 56.
Sundial Springs is one mile off HWY 180 on Forest Road (FR) 519. Reservations are mandatory.
Rates: Variable, see website. Pools are developed; clothing optional in private pools. RV and tent
camping available; fire pits, picnic tables, drinking water.
NATIONAL PARKS
*New Mexico is home to 13 National Parks. Please visit the National Park Service home page for more information.
At most parks, children under 15 enter free.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Outstanding archaeological ruins! Bring your camera!
Getting there: Chaco Canyon is located 8 to 10 hours north of Silver City, near Cuba, in northwestern
NM. The recommended access route to the park is from the north, via US 550 (formerly NM 44) and
County Road (CR) 7900, and CR 7950. The access roads are rough and infrequently maintained. Roads
can become impassable during inclement (monsoon) weather. Open from sunset to sundown daily.
Rates: $8/vehicle for 7 days; $4/person for 7 days.
Chiricahua National Park
Unusual geological formations and spectacular views into Mexico
Activities include: Hiking, camping, horseback riding, site seeing; interpretive tours; history.
Getting there: From Silver City, head south on HWY 90 about 42 miles, merge onto US 70/Duncan HWY,
then exit onto Interstate 10, toward Tucson, AZ. Drive approximately 65 miles, exit 344 to Wilcox, AZ.
Turn left on AZ State HWY 186 for 32 miles to the junction of Arizona State HWY 181. Turn left.
Chiricahua Monument entrance station is 4 miles.
Rates: $5.00/person
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Mogollon Culture archaeological ruins, interpretive center and top-notch bookstore.
Activities: View Mogollon cliff dwellings, hiking, birding, camping, photography, interpretive tours.
Getting there: Located approximately 2 hours north of Silver City on Highway 15. Open from 9:00 a.m. –
5:00 p.m. daily.
Rates: $10/family/day or $3/person
Petroglyph National Monument
One of the largest petroglyph sites in North America.
Getting there: From Interstate 25, head north to Albuquerque. Take the Paseo del Norte exit (232) and
proceed west to Coors Road, exit south. Proceed south on Coors Road to Western Trail. Turn right (west)
onto Western Trail and follow road to the visitor center.
Rates: No entry fee, but $1 parking/car fee applies at Boca Negra Canyon during the week
($2/weekend)
White Sands National Monument
White Sands is the world's largest gypsum dune field. Exceptional!
Activities: Hiking, interpretive tours, sledding, full moon events, back-country and group camping,
picnicking, and more. See website for more information; certain restrictions may apply.
Getting there: Park is located 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Alamogordo and 52 miles east of Las
Cruces, NM on HWY 70.
Rates: $3/person
SKIING/SNOWBOARDING/CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING:
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley
10300 Ski Run Rd. • Mt. Lemmon, AZ 85619
General Information: 1. 520. 576. 1321
Email: [email protected]
Getting there: Take HWY 90 south to Lordsburg. Merge west onto Interstate 10 toward Tucson for 137
Miles. Exit 275 onto Houghton Road, head north 15 miles. Turn right (east) onto Catalina HWY, 2 miles
to (east) Mt. Lemmon HWY 22 miles, to (north) General Hitchcock, follow signs. Total distance from
Silver City is 225 miles; 4.5 hour drive time.
Rates: Full day lift ticket $37.00; equipment rental extra.
Sunrise Park Resort
12 Miles West of Greer • Greer, AZ 85927
General Information: 928.735.7669
Email: [email protected]
Getting there: Take HWY 180 (north) to HWY 260 (Eagar, Arizona). Take HWY 260 (west) 18 miles to
HWY 273. Turn left on HWY 273. Sunrise Park Lodge is four miles south on HWY 273 and Sunrise Ski Area
is another three miles past the lodge. Total distance from Silver City is 168 miles; 4 hour drive time.
Rates: Full day lift ticket $51.00; equipment rental extra.
This brochure was produced in part by the Gila Conservation Education Center