Strategic Planning and Resource Assessment

Forest Service 2003 Success Stories

Success Stories: A Win-Win for the Gila National Forest

Websites featuring recreation in the great outdoors have been around for years. But not sites that really make trails come alive, provide effective information delivery, support volunteers, and engage the public!

In 2003, the American Trails Website Contest set out to discover the best that the cyberworld of trails and greenways had to offer. They received nominations for 88 trail-related sites, covering the gamut from community trails to designated National Recreation Trail sites; from accessible trails to best sites for kids and families.

We are proud to say that the Gila National Forest, tucked into the southwestern corner of New Mexico near Silver City , was selected as 2003 Winning Website for Trails on Federal Lands.

Visitors to the Gila's recreational website can view a map of all trails or select a trail by the type of recreational activity they want. They can choose between trails with varying levels of difficulty or those best hiked in certain seasons. There are even trail guides with 3D terrain images of a trail!

So, check it out!

In any internet browser, navigate to the American Trails web site at: http:// www.americantrails.org/webcon03.html

Or to visit the Gila's award-winning site directly, navigate to:

http://www2.srs.fs.fed.us/r3/gila/recreation

The Gila National Forest has hundreds of miles of trails for hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and motor sports enthusiasts.

The Gila's trails will lead you from the edge of the Chihuahuan desert to the brink of alpine tundra through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Southwest. The historic Catwalk Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail are two of our more famous routes but there are many others just as fascinating. From a smooth path through the deep forest to a challenging ascent of the headwaters of the Gila River , opportunities abound for most experience levels.

Come explore the Gila National Forest . Come Hike Us!

USDA Forest Service - Strategic Planning and Resource Assessment
Last Modified: Tuesday, 18 May 2004 at 11:33:24 EDT