Where on earth
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- Region
- Southwest
- Country
- United States
- Trip length
- 12 to 14 miles round-trip
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Mountaineering
- Surfing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
Key takeaways
- Trip length: 12 to 14 miles round-trip
- Top activity: backpacking
Topic summary
Navigating canyon river crossings and seasonal flow to Jordan Hot Springs.
Intended uses
- backpacking
- desert adventures
Verification notes
Last verified October 15, 2026.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs trip tools
How to get there
Head to the Gila Cliff Dwellings area for Middle Fork #157 Trailhead. The road to the cliff dwellings serves several wilderness access points, so verify the specific trailhead before setting out. The Gila Visitor Center provides information about the wilderness and national monument.
- Middle Fork #157 Trailhead
Trailhead in the Gila Cliff Dwellings area serving Middle Fork Trail #157.
- West Fork #151A Trailhead
Located at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument parking lot. Provides hiker access to West Fork Trail #151 via West Fork Shortcut Trail #151A.
- TJ Corral #729 Trailhead
Near the Gila Cliff Dwellings, serving Little Bear Trail #729 and providing access to the southeast end of West Fork Trail #151.
Sources: fs.usda.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Surfing
Swell windows and access from camp.
Animals around Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot SpringsAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs
Planning to fish Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs, Southwest? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Southwest are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs?
- A Southwest fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Southwest fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs may add its own fishing rules on top of Southwest law — check the managing agency too.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Southwest yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Hunting near Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs
Thinking about hunting Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs, Southwest? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Southwest are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in Southwest?
- A Southwest hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Southwest yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
A river corridor in desert country
The Gila Wilderness covers 559,688 acres in New Mexico, with the Gila River flowing through its heart. Water shapes the character of this desert landscape: the deeply incised river corridor has vertical cliffs, rock spires, and visible remnants of past cultural use. For a Middle Fork trip, that river-and-canyon setting is the central attraction, rather than a single viewpoint. Plan for travel in a desert environment even when the route follows water. Carry drinking water and a treatment method, protect against sun exposure, and check weather and river conditions before committing to a canyon itinerary. Leave cultural remains undisturbed. The surrounding wilderness is extensive, so choose a route that matches the group's experience rather than treating nearby trailheads as interchangeable entrances.
Middle Fork access and nearby alternatives
Middle Fork Trail #157 has a dedicated trailhead in the Gila Cliff Dwellings area. This is the named access point to use when organizing a Middle Fork itinerary. Nearby entrances serve different trails: West Fork #151A Trailhead begins at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument parking lot, while TJ Corral #729 Trailhead serves Little Bear Trail #729 and provides access to the southeast end of West Fork Trail #151. Keep those distinctions clear when choosing a starting point or arranging a pickup. The Gila Visitor Center, jointly managed by the National Park Service and Gila National Forest, provides information about the wilderness and cliff dwellings. Confirm the intended route, current conditions, and any hot-spring access details there before heading out.
Wilderness history and trip preparation
Created in June 1924 at Aldo Leopold's urging, the Gila was the world's first designated wilderness and is New Mexico's largest wilderness. Its history remains part of present-day trip planning: this is a large protected landscape, not simply a recreation site beside the road. No passes are required for wilderness use, but organized groups entering the Gila Wilderness require permits. Confirm applicable arrangements with Gila National Forest before departure. For authorized outfitter and guide information, contact the forest supervisor's office at 575-388-8201. Check current forest conditions, alerts, and fire restrictions as part of planning, and carry navigation tools appropriate to the chosen trail. The neighboring Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is managed by the National Park Service, separately from the surrounding national forest.
Route options
- Middle Fork Trail #157
Begin at Middle Fork #157 Trailhead in the Gila Cliff Dwellings area. Confirm the intended turnaround, trail conditions, and any hot-spring access details with the managing agency before choosing an itinerary.
- West Fork Shortcut Trail #151A to West Fork Trail #151
An alternative wilderness approach from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument parking lot. Take the shortcut trail for hiker access to West Fork Trail #151; this is a separate access option from the Middle Fork trailhead.
- Little Bear Trail #729
Access this trail from TJ Corral #729 Trailhead near the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The trailhead also provides access to the southeast end of West Fork Trail #151.
Sample itineraries
- Middle Fork Trail #157 day hike · 1 day
Start at Middle Fork #157 Trailhead in the Gila Cliff Dwellings area. Make an out-and-back hike with a turnaround suited to current conditions and available daylight. Use the Gila Visitor Center for local planning information before entering the wilderness.
- Middle Fork overnight · 2 days
Plan an out-and-back backpacking trip from Middle Fork #157 Trailhead. Confirm trail conditions and camping guidance before choosing an overnight location. Keep the daily schedule flexible rather than committing to a fixed endpoint in the deeply incised river landscape.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Before departure
Check the forecast and current Middle Fork trail and river conditions. Choose a turnaround based on conditions rather than assuming a spring trip will provide straightforward access.
Summer
Before departure and each hiking day
Plan sun protection and drinking water for this desert landscape. Check current fire information and weather before entering the river corridor; adjust hiking plans to the forecast.
Fall
During trip planning
Match clothing, sleeping gear, and daily hiking time to the forecast and available daylight. Confirm current trail conditions rather than relying on a seasonal expectation.
Winter
Before committing to an overnight
Check forecast temperatures and access conditions before selecting an itinerary. Carry insulation appropriate to the forecast and leave enough daylight for a conservative return.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Before departure | Check the forecast and current Middle Fork trail and river conditions. Choose a turnaround based on conditions rather than assuming a spring trip will provide straightforward access. |
| Summer | Before departure and each hiking day | Plan sun protection and drinking water for this desert landscape. Check current fire information and weather before entering the river corridor; adjust hiking plans to the forecast. |
| Fall | During trip planning | Match clothing, sleeping gear, and daily hiking time to the forecast and available daylight. Confirm current trail conditions rather than relying on a seasonal expectation. |
| Winter | Before committing to an overnight | Check forecast temperatures and access conditions before selecting an itinerary. Carry insulation appropriate to the forecast and leave enough daylight for a conservative return. |
Permits, fees & closures
No passes are required for use of the Gila Wilderness. Permits are required for organized groups entering the wilderness. Confirm applicable requirements with Gila National Forest before departure.
Official source: Gila Wilderness Area - USDA Forest Service · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Vertical cliffs border the deeply incised river corridor. Keep back from edges and avoid shortcuts through steep terrain.
- The Gila River runs through the wilderness. Assess water conditions before approaching or entering the river; do not assume a crossing is safe.
- The surrounding desert landscape calls for deliberate drinking-water and sun-protection planning.
- Check current wildfire, smoke, and fire-restriction information before departure; do not treat an earlier fire-danger rating as a current assessment.
What to pack for Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs
- Trail map covering Middle Fork Trail #157
- Offline navigation and backup power
- Current trail and weather information
- Drinking-water containers
- Water treatment if collecting river water
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Footwear suited to uneven terrain
- Forecast-appropriate layers
- Headlamp
- First-aid kit
- Shelter and sleeping system for overnight trips
Gila Wilderness: Middle Fork Trail and Jordan Hot Springs FAQ
- Where does the Middle Fork hike start?
- Middle Fork #157 Trailhead is in the Gila Cliff Dwellings area and provides access to Middle Fork Trail #157.
- Can a hot-springs visit be built into the hike?
- Confirm the hot-springs route, access conditions, and applicable guidance with Gila National Forest before making it your endpoint. Keep the itinerary flexible until those details are established.
- Where can hikers get local planning information?
- The Gila Visitor Center is jointly managed by the National Park Service and Gila National Forest and provides information about the wilderness and Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.
- What defines the landscape?
- The Gila River brings water through a desert landscape. Its deeply incised corridor contains vertical cliffs, rock spires, and visible remnants of past cultural use. Leave cultural features undisturbed.
- Are guides available?
- Contact the Gila National Forest Supervisors Office at 575-388-8201 for information about outfitters and guides authorized to operate on the forest.
- Are the cliff dwellings managed as part of the wilderness?
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is managed by the National Park Service and surrounded by Gila National Forest. Confirm monument-specific visit requirements separately from wilderness trip planning.