Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

(Silver City, New Mexico - June 2009) Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument Superintendent Steve Riley announced today that the Monument will be following the lead provided by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and will not be charging the $3.00 per person/$10.00 per family entrance fee on the following weekends this summer:

• June 20-21, Father’s Day weekend - grab your dad, and friends and family, and make some national park memories this Father’s Day.

• July 18-19

• August 15-16

America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better this summer…it’s free! We’re inviting you to come by for a visit, to relax, to learn a little bit about this great nation…and to just have some fun. Tough economic times call for economical fun, and a trip into the Gila Wilderness to visit the Cliff Dwellings provides great family time, fresh air and opportunities to learn about the history just out your back door.

The trailhead to the dwellings is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and all visitors are asked to exit the trail by 7:00 pm. The Gila Visitor Center will be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on those days as usual.

Guided tours of the dwellings will continue to be held at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm and visitors can ask questions of the guides in the Dwellings all day. Visitor should allow 20-30 minutes to hike to the first cave where the tour begins.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse into the homes and lives of the Mogollon people who lived in this area over 700 years ago. Call the Gila Visitor Center at 575-536-9461 or check the website www.nps.gov/gicl for current road and weather. There is normally a $3 per adult entrance fee at the dwellings.