Gila Wilderness was designated the world's first wilderness area on June 3, 1924. Along with Aldo Leopold Wilderness and Blue Range Wilderness, the 558014acre (872 sq. mi.) wilderness is part of New Mexico's Gila National Forest. The wilderness is approximately 27mi from north to south and 39mi east to west. U.S. Wilderness Areas do not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles, including bicycles. Camping and fishing are allowed with proper permit, but no roads, buildings, logging, or mining are permitted. Wilderness areas within National Forests and Bureau of Land Management areas allow hunting in season. The Gila Wilderness is located in southwest New Mexico, north of Silver City and east of Reserve. It contains the West Fork, Middle Fork and much of the East Fork of the Gila River; riverside elevations of around 4,850ft are the lowest in the wilderness. The Mogollon Mountains traverse an arc across the wilderness. The tallest peak within this range, Whitewater Baldy at 10895ft, is in the northwest part of the wilderness along with several other summits more than 10,000ft high. At the northeast corner is prominent Black Mountain rising to at 9287ft. The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is adjacent to the wilderness. The Gila Wilderness is the largest designated wilderness area in New Mexico.
