United States
›
New Mexico
›
Gila National Forest

Best Hiking Trails in Gila National Forest

80 reviews


link Copy Link
  • facebookFacebook
  • Twitter iconTwitter
  • emailEmail
directions Driving Directions

Seasonal Popularity

Overview

Gila National Forest is one of the more popular national forests in New Mexico. However, with over 3 million acres (all of which is open to dispersed camping), three wilderness areas, and hundreds of miles of trails, there are plenty of options for getting away from the crowds. Here, you can explore soaring mountains, sheer canyons, aspen forest, and ancient cliff-dwellings all in one forest.

Getting Started

Nearly all campsites in the Gila are first-come, first-served. In the summer and over holidays, sites at developed campgrounds, especially those with RV hookups, typically fill up fast. Instead, stop by a visitor center for a motor vehicle use map) or use the MVUM map layer in Gaia GPS), and drive until you find a quiet pull-off to park your car and your tent.

The interconnected bridges and suspended walkways of Catwalk Recreation Area make a fun, accessible introduction to the Gila National Forest. For a longer day out, try connecting the Little Bear Canyon and Middle Fork Trails from Lower Scorpion Campground for a more moderate day hike that wanders past red stone spires to Jordan Hot Springs.

If you're looking to plan an overnight, make the most of the inky skies and crystal-clear stargazing at the Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Before you go, check for weather and road closures here.

When to Go

Despite hot daytime temps, most folks visit the Gila in summer. If you're primitive camping during May or June, be sure to select a site near larger bodies of water, as smaller trickles and streams typically dry up this time of year. You'll find more reliable water sources (and wetter weather) during the monsoon season, which lasts between July and October. Expect pleasant daytime temperatures and cooler nights during the spring and summer.

Permits

You can get into the Gila with your America the Beautiful Pass. For other information on accepted passes, check out the Gila National Forest Passes and Permits page.

No permits are currently required for hiking or camping in the national forest. Most sites except for some large group sites are first-come, first-served.

Dog Info

The Gila is dog-friendly. However, make sure to keep your pup on a leash, pick up after him or her, and brush up on any other ethics and regulations before your trip.


  • Hiking Trails (169)
  • Reviews (80)
  1. 1
    Middle Fork Trail #157 and Little Bear Canyon Trail #729 Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 11.0 mi
  2. 2
    Little Bear Canyon Trail #729
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 4.1 mi
  3. 3
    Upper Scorpion Campground Loop via Middle Fork Trail #157
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 23.8 mi
  4. 4
    McKenna Spring via West Fork Trail #151 and Turkey Creek Trail #155
    ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 36.7 mi
  5. 5
    Upper Scorpion Campground Loop via West Fork Trail #151
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 37.1 mi
  6. 6
    E E Spring Loop via West Fork Trail #151 and Granny Mountain Trail #160
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 8.9 mi
  7. 7
    Jordan Hot Springs Loop via Middle Fork Trail #157
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 24.6 mi
  8. 8
    Gallinas Canyon Trail #129 Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 11.7 mi
  9. 9
    Jordan Hot Springs via Little Bear Canyon Trail #729 and Middle Fork Trail #157
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 6.8 mi
  10. 10
    Iron Creek Lake via West Fork Trail #151 and Bursum Road
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 23.2 mi
    user_profile
    lcmdsf 6 months, 3 weeks ago
    Purgatory Gulch
    Ran out of time to complete the loop near sign “trail not maintained next 1/4 mile”. But found fascinating slot canyons and a stone prayer circle.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    obsidiansky 7 months, 1 week ago
    Track (10/14/21, 9:32:43AM)
    Challenging due to numerous obstacles from a recent wildfire.
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Darmah860 9 months ago
    Gila Wilderness loop
    Great for ADV but a bit mundane on enduros
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Darmah860 9 months ago
    2 nd half Day 2
    Great track, very scenic, a solid level 2. Fun elevation changes up to 8,800’ with a few rock fields that could be a problem for some riders on adventure bikes. At return to Hwy 32 a sign indicates “Road Ends private land” but it does continue through 3 wire and post gates. 1 section of quite slippery mud, intermittent for 1/2 mile.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    slanted13 11 months, 3 weeks ago
    Best hike! Trail 201 to mine
    Incredible.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    ahedlund 1 year, 1 month ago
    Allie Canyon well to lunch in drizzling rain
    O
    ★ ★

    user_profile
    Bryan 1 year, 1 month ago
    Turkey creek trail to hot springs
    It was helpful to have a downloaded map since route finding was difficult at times. The hot springs were a great destination. Bring sun screen.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Stéphane T. Luchini 1 year, 2 months ago
    Track (3/6/21, 10:09:15AM)
    Team 3 doing Tracking
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    dalestreams 1 year, 4 months ago
    Ponderosa Loop Trail Track (1/16/21, 12:03:27PM)
    The Ponderosa Loop Trail. Starts at at ranch and follows an old cattle trail. Goes up into the high desert then connects to the old military trail.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    illinoisking03 1 year, 6 months ago
    Track (11/5/20, 3:00:35PM)
    Beatiful in early November. Trees are changing color and the crowds are low. Great mining history and and easy walk. Great metal boardwalk and amazing deep canyon with colorful rocks and perfect sized stream. Good for all ages
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    hawman 1 year, 8 months ago
    Jacks peek
    This trail takes you to the top of Jake’s Peek at the crest of the Burro Mountains. Road is for high clearance vehicles. 4x4 recommended. The view at the top is hard to beat as you can see the Gila wilderness and forest. Silver city to Deming and mountain ranges in Mexico and Arizona
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    mrlavelle 2 years ago
    Little Walnut Road (partial)
    Easy Jeep Trail. 4WD not necessary. Scenic track crosses creek several times. Many picnic/camping spots along Trail.
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Pam 2 years, 10 months ago
    Hillsboro Peak
    It was a nice experience. Had a great talk with the fire spotter at the top of the peak.
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile stars
    The Kid 2 years, 11 months ago
    Upper Scorpion Campground Loop via Middle Fork Trail #157 and Big Bear Canyon Trail #28
    Perfect weather last week. Warm water. We swam and played in the river for hours each day. Unfortunately zero water in the tanks up top, (Grave Tank specifically) so we had to extend our hike one day to get back down to the river.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Shimptr 2 years, 11 months ago
    Middle Fork Trail #157 and Little Bear Canyon Trail #729 Loop
    The scenery on this hike was breathtaking! With each turn of the river, we would see something amazing. Weather was great - daytime highs about 80 degrees, nighttime lows in the 60s (6/5/2019 - 6/8/2019) except for the evening of 6/5/2019...a cold front came through snd nightime temp was about 40. The ascent up the mountain got a bit hot because we started late, but once we crested and started the descent there was shade and cool in the canyon. Jordan Hot Springs was refreshing. The river was cold, but felt good. By the way, the trail crosses the river 50+ times (not exagerating) so your shoes will get wet. The trail going up and down the mountain is mostly jard packed soil with some rocky sections. The trail along the river ranges from hard packed soil, to rocks, to mud, to deep sand. We saw a handful of other campers, most who we saw were around the hot spring. The trail isn't hard to stick to...and there are lots of places to camp - even for our group of 10. There are caves WAY up in the cliff faces, and a few have trails leading to them. Not many wildflowers this time of year, but everything was really green. No rain, but each day, late afternoon, a great breeze blew down the canyon. What an amazing hike!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Richard 3 years ago
    Our Gila hike
    Gila Wilderness NM. What a great place and with water! This place has a bit of everything from desert-like environs to Mountains & Canyons. All with the Gila River forks flowing through it and creeks and springs. Awesome. Saw mule deer, snakes but there are are black bears and cougars too.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    arctic611 1 month ago
    McKnight Road
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    spottedfever 1 month ago
    Track (4/7/22, 8:25:59AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    mmarellaphoto 1 month, 1 week ago
    Track (3/12/22, 9:58:23AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile stars
    Sugar Pine 1 month, 2 weeks ago
    Little Bear Canyon and Middle Fork Gila (4/8/22)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    jwightma37 1 month, 2 weeks ago
    Track (4/4/22, 8:42:33AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    kimrsweeney 1 month, 2 weeks ago
    FR154 road to Twin Sisters Trail
    ★

    user_profile
    hailuorama 2 months ago
    Rabb Park trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    David 2 months, 2 weeks ago
    Emory Pass-road ride
    ★ ★

    user_profile
    ccontillo 4 months, 3 weeks ago
    Leg 3 NMBDR
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Waterloowinston 4 months, 4 weeks ago
    2021 Winter Road Trip 3,357 mi actual
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    jwightma37 5 months, 4 weeks ago
    Track (11/21/21, 10:54:53AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Jon Iralu 6 months, 3 weeks ago
    Middle Fork Trail #157
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    johnberry92 6 months, 3 weeks ago
    McKenna Spring via West Fork Trail #151 and Turkey Creek Trail #155
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Karenbemben 7 months, 2 weeks ago
    Harlan CDT
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    lee.nix 8 months, 3 weeks ago
    Track (9/3/21, 5:53:10PM)
    ★ ★

    user_profile
    Darmah860 9 months ago
    Centerfire loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Darmah860 9 months ago
    Apached National Forest recon 2
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Darmah860 9 months ago
    Cottonwood Canyon loop
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    albertdn97 9 months, 4 weeks ago
    Track (11/19/18, 12:42:53AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    sandylang78 10 months, 2 weeks ago
    Track (7/14/21, 7:36:39AM)
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    mgaltier200 10 months, 3 weeks ago
    GD06NMain_2018
    ★ ★

    user_profile
    klane 1 year ago
    Day 1 Actual
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    azirulnick 1 year ago
    Jordan Hot Springs Loop via Middle Fork Trail #157
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    ahedlund 1 year ago
    Bead Spring burnout with Eric
    ★

    user_profile
    Juan 1 year ago
    Track (4/28/21, 3:20:46PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Charles 1 year, 1 month ago
    Track (4/16/21, 12:17:01PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    vgrison11 1 year, 1 month ago
    Northern continental divide trail
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    steven.collens 1 year, 1 month ago
    Mineral Creek Trail - Gila National Forest
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Bryan 1 year, 1 month ago
    Little bear canyon and middle fork loop with Jordan hot springs spur
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    pheinz101 1 year, 2 months ago
    Upper Scorpion Campground via Trail #792
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    christopher.eric.taylor 1 year, 2 months ago
    Track (3/5/21, 1:00:30PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    cafoster94 1 year, 2 months ago
    Iron Creek Lake via West Fork Trail #151 and Bursum Road
    ★

    user_profile
    Chey 1 year, 3 months ago
    Catwalk National Recreation Trail #207
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    christopher.eric.taylor 1 year, 3 months ago
    Track (2/21/21, 3:11:37PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    philipcmarshall 1 year, 3 months ago
    Lone Pine Hill
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    jayhawk890 1 year, 4 months ago
    Wahoo Peak via Continental Divide Trail #74
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    frmfx 1 year, 5 months ago
    Track (11/26/20, 11:24:15AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    illinoisking03 1 year, 6 months ago
    Track (11/5/20, 11:40:45AM)
    ★ ★

    user_profile
    adamblmfld 1 year, 6 months ago
    Track (11/3/20, 09:24:57)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    christopher.eric.taylor 1 year, 7 months ago
    Track (10/17/20, 9:55:04AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    christopher.eric.taylor 1 year, 7 months ago
    Track (9/26/20, 3:59:11PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    cschueren 1 year, 7 months ago
    Gila Cliff Dwellings
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    brandonteston 1 year, 8 months ago
    Gila National Forest - 2020
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Deanna Keahey 1 year, 8 months ago
    NM, Gila, Cliff Dwelling loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    jspierce65 1 year, 8 months ago
    Track (8/29/20, 12:15:22PM)
    ★

    user_profile
    sps1943 1 year, 9 months ago
    Springerville, AZ to New Mexico and Back
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    klane 1 year, 10 months ago
    Day 1 Actual
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    christopher.eric.taylor 1 year, 10 months ago
    Track (6/28/20, 2:17:28PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    kghadlock 1 year, 11 months ago
    Track (6/17/20, 10:15:03AM)
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    kianmh05 1 year, 11 months ago
    Chloride
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    joel 1 year, 11 months ago
    Saddle canyon
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    laraque27rw 1 year, 12 months ago
    Track (12/16/19, 12:07:29)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    wdhopwood 1 year, 12 months ago
    E E Spring Loop via West Fork Trail #151 and Granny Mountain Trail #160
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Duke 2 years, 7 months ago
    Day 3 Mescal Place to US 180
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Kkeep 2 years, 8 months ago
    Sheep Corral Trail (9/13/19, 9:23:07AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Veronica 2 years, 8 months ago
    Lower Scorpion Campground Loop via Middle Fork Trail #157 and Little Bear Canyon Trail #729
    ★ ★

    user_profile
    cowpunchponies 2 years, 8 months ago
    Track (7/27/19, 8:54:40AM)
    ★

    user_profile
    Joeyparker93 2 years, 8 months ago
    Off road reserve south
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Kkeep 2 years, 8 months ago
    BY2ndDown to Hwy 35 (8/29/19, 10:10:27AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Stippey47 2 years, 9 months ago
    Mike and Maryann 2
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    jcnelson 2 years, 9 months ago
    Track (3/31/19, 10:01:45AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Stippey47 2 years, 11 months ago
    Track (6/21/19, 9:01:02AM) Mud Springs.
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    martin 2 years, 11 months ago
    1748 Mangas Rd to Caballeriza Tank, Catron County, NM, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Bryce 3 years ago
    ★ ★

  • Web App

    • Map
    • Find Trails
    • Upload
  • Resources

    • Hiking & Backpacking
    • Offroad
    • Hunting
    • Mountain Biking
    • Backcountry Skiing
    • Fishing
    • Map Catalog
    • Help & Forums
  • Purchase

    • Individuals
    • Professional
    • Outside+
    • Volunteer
    • Gifts
  • Company

    • Blog
    • Podcast
    • Jobs
    • Diversity
    • Partnerships
    • Media
  • Gaia GPS - Trail maps for every adventure

    Follow Us

    Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

© Trailbehind Inc. - All Rights Reserved.

  Privacy • Terms

Outside Inc Logo

© 2022 Outside Interactive, Inc.

Outside Inc Logo