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The 3.3 million acres of forest and range land in the Gila National Forest rise above the desert country of southwestern New Mexico.
The forest is a rugged realm of cactus, grass, juniper, pine, spruce and aspen, and few people. The Gila contains more federal land than any other national forest outside Alaska.
Centuries ago, cliff dwelling American Indians lived here and an outstanding archaeological site is preserved by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and the National Park Service at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.
The Gila has the world's first designated wilderness, the 558,065-acre Gila Wilderness, created in June 1924. It also has the Aldo Leopold and the Blue Range Wildernesses, several mountain ranges, scenic drives, campsites and picnic grounds, the Catwalk National Recreation Trail in Whitewater Canyon and almost 500 miles of fishing streams.
Fish species range from lower-elevation flathead and channel catfish to bass in the middle reaches and wild brown and stocked rainbow trout above 6,000 feet. The forest also hosts the southernmost native populations of Rio Grande cutthroat trout and the endangered, protected Gila trout.
The best fishing is available for those who hike deep into the forest.
The forest is also home to deer, antelope, Rocky Mountain elk, bighorn sheep, bobcats, black bear, mountain lion, javalina, bats and 291 species of birds.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently reintroduced the Mexican gray wolf to the region.
Outdoor Activities |
The ruggedly beautiful Gila National Forest covers 3.3 million acres.
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