Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
342
of misshapen, albeit benign, giants. Complete with a desert garden, the park offers excel-
lent camping and picnic sites. It's also a renowned spot for
bouldering,
a type of rock
climbing in which participants don't use ropes. Day use is allowed from 6am to 9pm for
$5 per vehicle; a campsite costs $8 to $18. The visitor center is typically open from 10am
to 4pm, but its hours vary, depending on volunteer staffing.
WEST OF SILVER CITY
US 180, heading northwest from Silver City, is the gateway
to Catron County and most of the Gila National Forest, including the villages of Glen-
wood, Reserve, and Quemado. For details on this area, see “Other Adventures in Gila
National Forest,” later in this chapter.
WHERE TO STAY IN & AROUND SILVER CITY
Silver City now offers a full range of chain hotels, many with reasonable prices, so if you
have a favorite, call their toll-free number to see if it's represented. Most lodgings in town
provide free parking.
Bear Mountain Lodge
Set on 160 acres just 3
1
/
2
miles northwest of down-
town Silver City, this lodge, owned and operated by the Nature Conservancy, is ideal for
outdoors enthusiasts, from birders to bicyclers. The 1920s inn offers large rooms with
old-world charm, accented by maple floors and high ceilings, and with such details as
authentic Navajo rugs and original art on the walls. Beds are very comfortable, and
bathrooms are medium size with elegant tile work. Four rooms have private balconies.
On-site naturalist staff members inform visitors about the flora and fauna of the area, and
they also conduct guided trips. Breakfasts are hearty and healthy, with treats such as muf-
fins and quiche. Dinner is served for guests nightly for an extra fee. It's a gourmet buffet-
style affair that changes seasonally, with such offerings as poached salmon and a Thai
dinner. What's best here is that you can count on complete quiet.
2251 Cottage San Rd., Silver City, NM 88061 (P.O. Box 1163, Silver City, NM 88062).
&
877/620-BEAR
(2327) or 575/538-2538. www.bearmountainlodge.com. 11 units. $125-$185 double. 2-night minimum
stay. Rates include full breakfast. Box lunches available for an extra charge. Horse boarding $15 per night.
AE, MC, V. Turn north off US 180 on Alabama St. (
1
/
2
mile west of NM 90 intersection). Proceed 3 miles
(Alabama becomes Cottage San Rd.) to dirt road turnoff to left; the lodge is another
1
/
2
mile. No children
9 or under.
Amenities:
Concierge; mountain bikes; hiking trails; computer w/Internet access.
In room:
A/C, hair dryer, Wi-Fi.
Holiday Inn Express
Kids
East of downtown, this hotel offers clean and quiet
rooms with standards you expect from the brand name. Rooms are medium size, deco-
rated with earth tones, and have high ceilings and large windows letting in lots of sun-
light. Beds are comfortable. The medium-size bathrooms are very clean. Be sure
not
to
book room no. 121, which has noisy pipes playing tunes through the night.
1103 Superior St., Silver City, NM 88061.
&
800/HOLIDAY
[465-4329] or 575/538-2525. Fax 575/538-
2525. 60 units. $110 double. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Pets allowed in some rooms.
Amenities:
Health club;
Jacuzzi; indoor pool; Wi-Fi (in lobby and breakfast bar).
In room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer, Internet.
11
Camping
Silver City KOA
(
&
800/562-7623
or 575/388-3351; www.koa.com) has 82 sites and
42 full hookups, and it offers groceries, laundry facilities, and a pool. The campground
is 5 miles east of the NM 90/US 180 junction on US 180.
Silver City RV Park
(
&
575/
538-2239;
www.silvercityrv.com) has 48 sites (45 with full hookups), showers, laundry
facilities, and picnic tables. It's downtown on Bennett Street, behind Food Basket super-
market. Camping is also available at the Gila Cliff Dwellings (see “Gila Cliff Dwellings
National Monument,” below).
