Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (original) (raw)

Shedding Light on the Mogollon Culture

For thousands of years, groups of nomads used the caves above Cliff Dweller Creek as temporary shelter. In the late 1200s, people of the agricultural Mogollon (Southern Ancestral Pueblo) culture made it a home. They built rooms, crafted pottery and raised children in the cliff dwellings for one or two generations. By approximately 1300, the Mogollon had moved on, leaving the walls behind.

A sign with a silhouette of a dog and cat with a line mark through it.Pet Policy

No pets are allowed on the trail to the Cliff Dwellings.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument SignPlan Your Visit

Getting here is half the fun! Give yourself time to reach the park and enjoy the scenery! Better yet, plan on staying for a few days.

An image of the inside of the dwellings with stone masonry construction visible.Guided Tours

Check out what programs you can attend on your visit!

A pig like animal crosses a river splashing the water as it crossesWildlife

A Javelina crosses the river after the confluence of the Middle and West Fork of the Gila.

A night sky is illuminated by a vibrant aurora borealis displaying deep red and purple hues.Night Sky

The Night Skies are always something to marvel at, and who knows you may even get lucky and see the aurora every few years.

Group of yellow prairie coneflowersPlants

Group of yellow prairie coneflowers with blurred landscape in the background

Last updated: September 14, 2024