Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, established in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt, preserves ancient cliff dwellings and archaeological sites in Catron County, New Mexico. The monument covers 533 acres within the Gila National Forest and is part of the headwaters of the Gila River. The primary ruins date back to the Pueblo III Era (1275–early 14th century) and are attributed to the Mogollon people. Key sites include the namesake cliff dwellings in Cliff Dweller Canyon, featuring 46 rooms, and the TJ Ruins on TJ Mesa. Other smaller sites like Javalina House and Cosgrove Ruin add to the historical significance.

Visitors access the monument via a 1-mile loop trail that takes about an hour to hike, starting at an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level. The site was discovered in 1878 by Henry B. Ailman, leading to its protection under the Antiquities Act of 1906. Over time, additions like the TJ Ruins and expanded wilderness areas were incorporated. Administrative changes included a transfer from the U.S. Forest Service to the National Park Service in 1933, reverting back in 2003.

The monument offers a visitor center and museum jointly operated by the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, showcasing artifacts such as a bracelet made from Gulf of California clam shells traded through Snaketown. Nearby attractions include hot springs, hiking trails, and fishing spots along the Gila River. Notably, while many mummified remains were lost to looters, one infant mummy is preserved at the Smithsonian Institution.