• Visitors hike along the base of the Gila Cliff Dwellings.

    Gila Cliff Dwellings

    National Monument New Mexico

Be A Junior Ranger

Gila Cliff Dwellings Junior Ranger badge.

NPS Photo

The design on the Jr. Ranger badge is from classic Mimbres black and white pottery.

Junior Ranger Program


Children age 7-12 can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center or Contact Station. To become a Junior Ranger each child must complete at least four specific activities while visiting the park. Upon completion of the program, the new Junior Ranger is awarded a certificate of completion as well as a Junior Ranger badge.

If you'd like to get an early start on the booklet before you arrive, it is available to download and print.

You must visit the park in order to earn your Junior Ranger badge.

For children 6 and under a Jr. Junior Ranger handout is available at the Visitor Center and Contact Station.

Junior Ranger Program booklet: "Welcome To Our Home in the Gila"
(PDF) (6134 kb)

For children who want to become a Junior Ranger but are not able to visit the park, please check out the National Park Service's WebRanger program.

Did You Know?

Agave Thistle Needle

The Mogollon people used the spiny tips of leaves from the agave plant as needles for sewing.  This item is in the Visitor Center Museum at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.