Gila Wilderness

Gila Wilderness was designated the world's first wilderness area on June 3, 1924. Along with Aldo Leopold Wilderness and Blue Range Wilderness, the 558,014 acres (225,820 ha) (872 sq. mi.) wilderness is part of New Mexico's Gila National Forest. The wilderness is approximately 27 miles (43 km) from north to south and 39 miles (63 km) east to west. U.S. Wilderness Areas do not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles, including bicycles. Camping and fishing are allowed with proper permit, but no roads, buildings, logging, or mining are permitted. Wilderness areas within National Forests and Bureau of Land Management areas allow hunting in season.

The Gila Wilderness is located in southwest New Mexico, north of Silver City and east of Reserve. It contains the West Fork, Middle Fork and much of the East Fork of the Gila River; riverside elevations of around 4,850 feet (1,480 m) are the lowest in the wilderness. The Mogollon Mountains traverse an arc across the wilderness. The tallest peak within this range, Whitewater Baldy at 10,895 ft (3,321 m), is in the northwest part of the wilderness along with several other summits more than 10,000 ft (3,048 m) high. At the northeast corner is prominent Black Mountain rising to at 9,287 ft (2,831 m). The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is adjacent to the wilderness.

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Latest News for: gila wilderness

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Writers on the Range: Mass firings cut the muscle not the fat

Craig Daily Press 12 Mar 2025
The stories are heartbreaking ... Probation doesn’t mean poor performers ... In 2022, Issari secured a permanent position — what he called his “dream job”—with a wilderness trail crew on New Mexico’s Gila National Forest ... .
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Opinion: Mass firings of U.S. Forest Service workers will cut the muscle, not “trim the fat”

Denver Post 27 Feb 2025
The stories are heartbreaking. People working for the U.S ... In 2022, Issari secured a permanent position — what he called his “dream job”— with a wilderness trail crew on New Mexico’s Gila National Forest ... Opinion ... ....
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