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NPS•Silver City, NM•9.5h from Austin
Gila Cliff Dwellings NM — Lower Scorpion CG
mountainscanyonriver
Accessibility baseline: Sites on this platform are reviewed for access with a standard 2WD pickup truck towing a 21-foot travel trailer unless otherwise noted below.
Road / tire note: NM 15 is not recommended with any trailer; use NM 35 eastern approach (Mimbres → Silver Creek → Little Walnut Road) — longer but 2WD-friendly with a 16 ft trailer.
Fee
Free
Hookups
No hookups
Trailer
Verify before trip
Cell Signal
No signal
Water
On-site
Toilets
Yes
Best Season
Year-round; spring + fall ideal
Reservations
None — first-come
Max Length
20 ft
Highlights
- ▶ Steps from the Gila Cliff Dwellings — one of the best NPS sites in the Southwest; 700-year-old Mogollon pit houses in naturally formed alcoves
- ▶ Free camping; Gila Wilderness access (first Wilderness in the US, 1924); natural hot springs 4 mi downstream via trail
- ▶ Lower Scorpion (vehicle-accessible near visitor center) is the trailer-appropriate choice over Upper Scorpion (walk-in)
Planning Notes
⚠️ Road choice is critical: NM 15 from Silver City (winding switchbacks, 2-hr drive, narrow — 18-20 ft max) OR NM 35 from Mimbres via eastern approach (wider road, 30 ft practical). Strongly recommend NM 35 approach with a 16 ft trailer. No advance reservations — first-come. Water and vault toilets.
Contact: (575) 536-9461
Always call ahead to confirm conditions, closures, and road accessibility.