Silver City KOA

Gila (Hee-La) Cliff Dwellings National Monument

A visit to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is a wonderful day trip. This 122-mile loop drive through the river valleys and mountains of the Gila National Forest offers scenic beauty and solitude. To make your day complete take a lunch and enjoy the picnic areas and many hiking trails at the Monument. This is also a great area for birding and wildlife viewing. The Visitor Center features a film about the Cliff Dwellings and has an excellent selection of books about Native American culture, nature, and the southwest.

The Catwalk of Whitewater Canyon

This is our most unique hike and a very beautiful spot. You'll walk up Whitewater Canyon on bridges and metal walkways attached to the shear rock walls. All along the way Whitewater creek forms waterfalls and pools as it tumbles down the canyon along the trail. Around every bend is a photo opportunity. The Catwalk Recreation Trail is only a mile long but the forest trail continues on up the canyon for those who wish to hike further. See the "Attractions" page for more information about the Catwalk.

The city of rocks

Giant boulders protruding from the desert suggest a Stonehenge or a prehistoric city. A road circling the "city" leads to picnic areas where you can park and walk the maze of winding pathways. The "city" was formed from volcanic debris that continues to be sculpted by wind and rain.

Silver City

"I've never enjoyed spending the day in a small town more then I have here in Silver City."
Just name your pleasure. The many art galleries and shops offer creations from beautiful southwestern and abstract landscapes and sculpture to the humorous and whimsical. Silver City is earning its reputation as an art community and featured in the book 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. You'll also enjoy visiting the Silver City Museum and Western New Mexico University Museum's Mimbres pottery collection. There are antique and second hand shops where you may find a lost treasure. Take a break in the midst of shopping to enjoy a delicious meal or coffee at one of our cozy cafes.

Just for kids

Take your family to Penny Park, our community built park. Wooden castles, towers, bridges, slides, dragons and all kinds of swings will give their energy and imagination a workout. There's also a new skateboard and roller blade park.

Other day trips

Our beautiful canyons and mountains beckon you to the outdoors and we've created our own guides to help you enjoy the best we have to offer.

Birding: Our own birding guide gives you 17 birding locations each with diverse habitats. In season you'll find Black Hawks, Red-faced Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers and many more. 60 % of the species that can be seen in New Mexico have been found in the mountains and river valleys in the Silver City area.

Bicycling: Dirt roads and trails in the Gila National Forest offer great mountain bike rides. Lightly traveled, paved roads offer excellent road biking through forests and scenic river valleys. Your hosts, Jim and Jackie, are bicyclists and can tell you where to find the best biking.

Hiking: Our hiking guide describes the best day hikes in the Gila National Forest. Our diverse country has great year-around hiking through desert or mountain canyons, forests, or crest trails with beautiful mountain vistas. Our recommendations will reward you.

Motorcycle Touring: There are three great motorcycle tours described in our motorcycling guide. Beautiful scenery, good pavement, and light traffic make these tours the best in southwestern New Mexico and each leads to an interesting destination.

Rock Hunting: At one time southwestern New Mexico was a very active mining district and you can visit old mining sites in your search for specimens. There are also areas where you can hunt for agate, fossils, and geodes. The Silver City KOA and the Royal Scepter Gem and Mineral Museum can give you locations.