Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, containing 533 acres, was established on November 16, 1907. Administration of the monument was transferred from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the U.S. Department of the Interior on August 10, 1933. In the spring of 1975, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service signed a cooperative agreement whereby the Gila National Forest is responsible for administration of the monument. Spring and Fall have moderate days and cool nights. Winter months often have nice afternoons with cold mornings and nights.
Travel time is approximately two hours.
An alternative route from Silver City goes through the Mimbres Valley. It is less windy, easier to travel and takes about the same amount of time as State Highway 15. However, it is 25 miles longer. Call ahead for winter road conditions. State Highway 15 is a narrow, mountainous, windy road, and is not plowed for snow on weekends or at night.