Gila Wilderness Centennial Trail

Celebrating the Nation's First and Wildest Wilderness

Gila Wilderness Centennial Trail Map Tour

Wilderness Stories and Indigenous Perspectives

Swipe right to see the Wild Stew Field Crew clear a log off the Centennial Trail.

Interactive Map

Explore the interactive map. Check out the different sections of the trail, access points, elevation gain and loss, and water crossings.


Reference List

  1. Scott, D. (2007). The enduring wilderness: Protecting our national heritage through the wilderness act. Fulcrum Pub.
  2. Ellis, Earle C., Nicolas Gauthier, Kees Klein Goldewijkd, Rebecca Bliege Birdf, Nicole Boiving, Sandra Díazi, Dorian Q. Fuller (傅稻镰), j,k, Jacquelyn L. Gilll, Jed O. Kaplanm, Naomi Kingstonn, Harvey Lockeo, Crystal N. H. McMichaelp, Darren Rancoq, Torben C. Rickr, M. Rebecca Shaws, Lucas Stephenst, Jens-Christian Svenningu, and James E. M. Watson (2021). People have shaped most of terrestrial nature for at least 12,000 years, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 118 (17) e2023483118  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.202348311 
  3. Roosa, Christopher I., Thomas W. Swetnamb, T. J. Fergusonc, Matthew J. Liebmannd, Rachel A. Loehmane,John R. Welchf,g,h, Ellis Q. Margolisi, Christopher H. Guitermanb, William C. Hockadayj, Michael J. Aiuvalasitk, Jenna Battilloa, Joshua Farellal, and Christopher A. Kiahtipes (2021). Native American fire management at an ancient wildland–urban interface in the Southwest United States, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 118 (4) e2018733118  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2018733118 
  4. University of Cincinnati. (2017, November 27). Archaeologist says fire, not corn, key to prehistoric survival in arid Southwest. ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171127152055.htm
  5. Harrington, M. G., and S. S. Sackett (1992). Past and present fire influences on southwestern ponderosa pine old growth. Pages 44–50 in M. R. Kaufmann, W. H. Moir and R. L. Bassett, editors. Old-growth forests in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RM-213.

Thank you to all Centennial Trail story map contributors and partners!

National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance | Gila National Forest | Gila Backcountry Horsemen | Wilderness Need Association | New Mexico Wild | Fort Sill Apache Tribe | Partnership for the National Trails System

Swipe right to see the Wild Stew Field Crew clear a log off the Centennial Trail.