Silver City, NM – In light of the current situation with COVID-19, area wildfires and the upcoming holiday weekend Park Rangers at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument are asking for your cooperation. The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount.
Remember you can #RecreateResponsibly by following these easy tips:
- If the trailhead is busy and people are waiting, choose an alternate hike.
- Pack out all trash and take it home with you.
- Stay on trail to preserve fragile ecosystems.If you are feeling sick, delay your trip.
- Maintain at least 6 ft of distance between yourself and other hikers.
- Plan ahead for limited visitor information services.
Keep the following information in mind when planning your trip.
There are wildfires in the area and there may be smoke impacts to visitors and communities. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities. Conditions are worse at night and in the early mornings as smoke settles into the valleys and canyon floors when temperatures are cool. Smoke may lift or burn off in the afternoons as temperatures increase. Please see the New Mexico Department of Health site, https://nmtracking.org/fire for guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.
New Mexico Highway 15 is closed between Pinos Altos and the junction with New Mexico Highway 35 due to fire operations on the Tadpole Fire. Visitors will need to use NM Highway 35 to access the monument which may increase their travel time. There are little to no restroom facilities available between Silver City and the monument, please plan accordingly. For further information on driving directions visit our website https://www.nps.gov/gicl/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Cliff Dweller Trail with access to the cliff dwellings is open under modified operations beginning at 9 am. Rangers may limit entry to ensure that social distancing can be maintained at all times. Groups of five or less will be allowed entry every 10-15 minutes until max occupancy is reached. At that time groups will have to wait until a group has exited before entering. Groups larger than five will need to split into smaller groups. Visitors must enter before 4 pm and must exit by 5 pm. We ask that you be prepared to wait, possibly up to an hour and remain flexible in your plans. Rangers will be on hand to monitor traffic and suggest alternate plans as needed.
Western National Parks Association (WNPA) is operating the Park Store near the Trailhead from 9 am – 4 pm Wednesdays through Sundays. There will be limited availability of products such as books, t-shirts and other collectibles. For the safety of the visitors and staff and to reduce the likelihood of transmission, credit and debit cards are preferred.
Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis at Lower and Upper Scorpion campgrounds. These campgrounds are primitive in nature; potable water is available as well as vault toilets. The campgrounds are currently under a campfire ban, including the use of charcoal. Use of pressurized fuel devices with an on/off switch are acceptable.
Park Rangers ask that visitors remain patient and flexible with their plans. It is recommended that visitors call before visiting the monument for current conditions.
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
- Gila Visitor Center & Trailhead Museum
- Visitor Center bathrooms and Comfort Stations throughout the Gila National Forest
At Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public access is safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.goc/gicl and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.