On June 3, 1924, the Gila Wilderness became the world’s first wilderness area. The 558,065 acre Gila Wilderness is located in the Gila National Forest of southwest New Mexico. Managed by the US Forest Service, the Gila Wilderness measures roughly 27 miles north to south and 39 miles east to west.
The Gila Wilderness was created in 1924 on the urging of Aldo Leopold. Leopold was a a conservationist and environmentalist who played a big role in the movement for wilderness conservation. He insisted that “the headwaters area of the Gila River should be preserved by an administrative process of excluding roads and denying use permits. Through his efforts, this area became recognized in 1924 as the first wilderness area in the National Forest System” (Wikipedia.org: Gila Wilderness).
The creation of the Gila Wilderness predates the Wilderness Act of 1964. The Gila Wilderness “became the first congressionally designated wilderness of the National Wilderness Preservation System when the Wilderness Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964″ (Wikipedia.org: Gila Wilderness).
From the deep canyons of Turkey Creek to the high peaks of the Mogollon Range, the Gila Wilderness is the largest wilderness area in New Mexico. The tallest peak within the Gila Wilderness is 10,895-foot Whitewater Baldy.
If you’re looking for an ideal place to hike, backpack, or explore, the first wilderness area in the world should be at the top of your list.
Learn more about the Gila Wilderness: the first wilderness in the world from the following sources:
See Also: 10 Largest Wilderness Areas In The Lower 48
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