Silver City New Mexico


The discovery of silver led to the inception of Silver City New Mexico:

Silver City New Mexico is situated in the foothills of the spectacular Pinos Altos Mountains in New Mexico. It is the center of outdoor recreation paradise, and a gateway to the three-million-three-hundred-thousand Gila National Forest. It is here that the Gila Wilderness is situated, which is the first piece of land in the world to be set aside as a wilderness area, to head on to become the largest wilderness in the southwest. It is the mining, tourism, ranching and the Western New Mexico University, which are the major contributors to their thriving economy.

There are four gentle seasons in Silver City with low humidity and clear mountain air available aplenty. With pleasant, above-freezing temperatures, Silver City proves to be an ideal place for day and evening activities in winter. It was the Mimbres Indians who first considered Silver City river valley their home in A. D. 1000. However it was in the spring of 1870 that a silver bonanza was discovered about one half mile west of the present-day courthouse. Once the silver boom ended, people continued to stay here to bring Silver City to its present position!

Silver City New Mexico is indeed the place to head for if you want the great outdoors to take on a whole new meaning. There are many sporting activities here like big and small game hunting, fishing, hiking, rock hounding, horseback riding, golf, tennis, birding and critter residents. Those looking for spectacular entertainment can find it is the wide range of symphonies and fine opera that are found here. If interested, one can also get 'Cowboy Poetry' readings and wild west rodeos here too. Some of the best museums and galleries in Southwest are found in Silver City New Mexico.

The Gila National Forest has about five hundred miles of fishing streams for the fishermen. The nearby lakes fit for fishing are Lake Roberts, Bill Evans Lake and Bear Canyon Reservoir. The bicyclists out there are bound to be attracted to the highways, forest roads and numerous single track trails of breathtaking mountain scenery that are found around Silver City. One of the mega events that take place in Silver City is the annual tour of the Gila Bicycle Race. It is held every year from May 5th to the 9th, and is listed as the 'National Prestige Classic' by the U. S. Cycling Federation. The reason for its popularity is that it is considered to be one of the toughest bicycle races in the nation.

Accommodation wise, there are hotels and motels found in Silver City that caters to everyone's taste and price ranges. The best mode of getting a list of hotels to choose will be to download it from the internet. Another thing the Gila National Forest is famous of is for the numerous campgrounds, picnic sites and rest areas that are found here for the camper. The other historic points of Silver City New Mexico are the Western New Mexico University Museum, the ghost town, Mogollon, the oldest active mine in the whole Southwest, Chino Open Pit Copper Mine and the Kneeling Nun Historic Marker.