Silver City - Hiking

Silver City is the gateway town to the Mogollan Mountains which rise to over 10,000 feet just to the north of town and are protected by the Gila National Forest and Gila Wilderness areas. Three Wilderness areas protect lands here, including the Gila Wilderness (558,065 acres) which was the first wilderness area established in the United States, the Aldo Leopold Wilderness (202,016 acres) which straddles the Black Range on the eastern side of the Forest and the Blue Range Wilderness (29,304) which adjoins Arizona's rugged Blue Range Primitive Area. Encompassing millions of acres of land, the Gila National Forest has hundreds of miles of excellent hiking trails in a variety of difficulties.

Visitors here will find hikes varying from a casual afternoon stroll to multi-day backpacking adventures. The Continental Divide trail delves through on its north-south route, and a multitude of day and multi-day trails bring visitors deep within the tranquil forests, by the pristine rivers and up the magnificent mountains of the Gila National Forest. Horsepacking is another especially popular mode of exploring the trail systems of Mogollan Mountains and several guide & outfitter companies serve this area. Permits are required to enter the Gila Wilderness area and can be picked up at any local forest service ranger station around Silver City, where visitors can also gather more information on specific trails, guides & outfitters that operate here and rules & regulations that govern these lands.

Hiking guides and outfitters offering guided hiking trips in and near Silver City are listed below. Click on any name for more information. For information on hiking trails in the Silver City area select Hiking Trails.