Located in the Gila Wilderness on the headwaters of the Gila River in southwest New Mexico, archaeologist consider this location to be the northernmost portion of the Mogollon Culture sphere of influence. The terrain around the main ruins is rugged and arid, and contains steep-sided canyons cut by shallow spring rivers surround by mesas, bluffs and forested all about.

These dwellings were occupied between 1275 and the early 1300′s.

Gila Cliff Dwellings ruins is home to two prominent ruins sites and a collection of smaller sites, including the TJ Ruins above on the mesa, Javalina House 1/3 mile above the main ruin, West Fork Ruin, Three Mile Ruin, and Cosgrove Ruin.

The elevation of these ruins range from around 5,700 to 7,300 and most ruins are located along branches of the Gila River.