Gila Wilderness
On June 3, 1924, at Aldo Leopold's insistence, Gila became the world's first designated Wilderness area (and also New Mexico's largest Wilderness). Today this is one of the best destinations for backpackers...
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net), where the full text continues.
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Forest Service |
| State | New Mexico |
| Size | 559,310 acres (Wilderness Connect) |
| Designated | 1964, by Congress |
| Center point | 33.2221, -108.3898 |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 18) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground Forest Service recreation site
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Where to camp
No federal campground sits inside the boundary. 13 are within ten miles of it. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Show 4 moreHide
1 more within ten miles is not listed here.
Trailheads and sites
The Forest Service lists 1 recreation site inside this wilderness, among them 1 trailhead. Each links to its page on fs.usda.gov, which carries the season, fees and current status.
- 13 miFlying V #706 Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Distance is from the center point of the boundary, not from a road or town.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 0 miMogollon Baldy Lookout Cabin ↗Mogollon Baldy Peak, NM
- 0 miBlack Mountain Lookout Cabin ↗Black Mountain, NM
- 5.4 miBearwallow Mountain Lookout Cabins and Shed ↗Bearwallow Park, NM
- 7.3 miL. C. Ranch Headquarters ↗Gila, NM
- 9 miReeds Peak Lookout Tower ↗Reeds Peak, NM
- 12.4 miSibole, George, Store ↗Mimbres, NM
- 12.4 miHooks--Moore Store ↗Mimbres, NM
- 12.5 miMimbres School ↗Mimbres, NM
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Gila Wilderness?
559,310 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Gila Wilderness?
The U.S. Forest Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Gila Wilderness in?
New Mexico.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Gila Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1964.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Gila Wilderness?
No federal campground sits inside the boundary. The nearest is Upper Scorpion Campground, 0 miles out. 13 in all are within ten miles. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit rules.
Source: Where to camp
Where are the trailheads in Gila Wilderness?
The Forest Service lists 1 recreation site here, including 1 trailhead. Each one links to its Forest Service page.
Source: Trailheads and sites
How do I get to Gila Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 33.222, -108.390. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is adjacent. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How dark is the night sky at Gila Wilderness?
NASA’s Black Marble night-lights image reads 18 on a 0 to 255 scale at the center point, about as dark as the ground gets.
Source: NASA Black Marble
Which national parks are near Gila Wilderness?
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (adjacent). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Gila Wilderness?
12 National Register listings within 15 miles, including Mogollon Baldy Lookout Cabin and Black Mountain Lookout Cabin.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.