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Gila National Forest Introduce

Gila National Forest is a stunning natural retreat nestled in the heart of Silver City, New Mexico. Renowned for its pristine mountainous terrain, lush forests, and vibrant wildlife, this national forest offers an array of activities that cater to nature enthusiasts and families alike. Whether you're seeking peaceful camping under the stars, invigorating hikes through dense tree canopies, or scenic drives past cascading waterfalls and rugged rock formations, Gila National Forest promises an unforgettable experience.

Visitors can explore numerous free and paid campgrounds, enjoy leisurely picnics in picturesque spots, or engage in thrilling fishing along the forest's clear rivers. The forest also boasts well-maintained trails perfect for biking and hiking, offering access to breathtaking vistas and serene valleys. For those who love wildlife, Gila National Forest is a haven with diverse ecosystems supporting an abundance of native animals.

  • Explore scenic drives through beautiful landscapes
  • Camping in peaceful surroundings
  • Hiking and mountain biking on maintained trails
  • Fishing in clear rivers
  • Wildlife watching in diverse habitats
  • Picnicking in picturesque areas

Gila National Forest is more than just a destination; it's an invitation to connect with nature, create lasting memories, and experience the beauty of New Mexico. With its commitment to preserving natural resources, Gila encourages visitors to respect the environment by practicing Leave No Trace principles.

Visitor Feedback

"Fell in love with New Mexico during a trip to the Gila National Forest. It will always remain so special!"

"The forest is huge with lots of places to camp, many for free. A fantastic place to enjoy nature."

Location

Customer Reviews

4.0
2341 reviews
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Donald Huckaby
Sep 01, 2024

Beautiful area to drive thru. Just don't be in a hurry so you can enjoy all the views. Lots of places to pull off and soak in Nature. And take pictures.

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Cee Gee
Sep 08, 2024

I fell in love with New Mexico during a trip to the Gila National Forest. It will always remain so special to me. The Gila is so beautiful. So many trees! I love the Gila. It's a huge forest, with lots of places to camp, many for free. It's a fantastic place to enjoy nature. Please don't start any Forest fires, and please pack out your trash if there are no trash receptacles provided!

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Atlas Explorer
Oct 20, 2024

WOW! What a scenic national forest. Well worth a visit, or several visits.

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StartLiving
Nov 25, 2024

Lots of beauty. Well worth the visit. Lots of places to pull over and enjoy the views.

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Evgeniya Bozhko (KoriAndrTheCat)
Nov 05, 2023

This is hardly a real forest. It is pretty much all rivers and creeks, or their dry paths in the summer. It is for sure very nice to drive through, but a special detour through here might not be very necessary. This was a crazy adventure… The only functioning road in the forest is 59, all others are a semblance of a gravel road, except for 61, which is not even a road, since it’s like a dirt path with huge boulders, and you should definitely have an AWD to go through there. We were driving 15 miles for about than 3 hours…