The Catwalk National Recreation Trail is a 2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Glenwood, New Mexico that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Note: As of December 2020, part of this trail is currently closed due to construction. For updated information, please see https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd762973.pdf This is a loop trail over Whitewater Creek using bridges and catwalks. Standing between the entrance pillars with your back to the parking lot, the trailhead is ahead to the far left. There are historic signs and restrooms at the trailhead. There are also signs and distance markers along the trail, but no restrooms. There is a day-use parking fee. From the parking lot, follow the paved main trail. At 0.18 miles, there is a T-intersection and a bridge on the right. Take the trail to the right, cross over the bridge and turn left. At 0.36 miles, you come to the first catwalk platform and another T-intersection. Go left at the T-intersection to return to the start. The trail will alternate between dirt/rock and steel catwalk. Accessibility: The trail surface begins as paved but turns to a gravel/dirt surface periodically. It is typically at least four feet wide. It was recently reconstructed after much of the catwalk was destroyed by flooding so the first 0.5 miles is considered ADA accessible on the park website, but beyond that it is not considered wheelchair or stroller friendly as there are some stone and wood stairs in the trail. This point has been marked on the map with a waypoint. Also, just the most accessible portion of the trail can be viewed on its own trail page here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-mexico/reconstructed-catwalk-national-rec-trail
There are vault toilets near the parking lot.
USFS - Gila District, Silver City, NM. (575) 388-8201
From the Glenwood NM Post Office, drive north on State Route (SR) 12 about 1/2 mile to the junction of SR-12 and NM-174. Turn right on NM-174, drive 5 miles to the end of the highway. Park in the parking lot, pay the day-use fee at the pay station and place the reciept in your windshield.
January 24, 2021The catwalk is worth seeing—a feat of engineering to be sure. Yes, the trail is closed a short distance past the catwalk. And yes, you can easily walk past the “closed” sign, but why would you want to? Only 2 cars in the lot when I arrived...perhaps 5 when I left. I can imagine this place gets packed in the warmer months.
January 20, 2021Amazing, beautiful canyon. It was empty this time of the year which was great so we were basically the only ones there for most of the time. Super easy but very rewarding. The trail is closed after about 1.5 miles, erosion damage literally taking out part of the catwalk.
January 18, 2021Awesome!
January 17, 2021January 3, 2021Awesome trail... last little leg was closed off due to unstable ground conditions. Also take your trash back out with you.
January 1, 2021December 28, 2020December 14, 2020Amazing trail, short and accessible. Part of the path is knocked out from a rock slide but you can easily get around. Great views of the canyon, so much colorful rock.
November 26, 2020November 21, 2020Amazing hike!!
November 15, 2020November 1, 2020October 17, 2020Wonderful trail. We hiked all the way to the south fork trail. Part of the trail is closed off but we kept on going and it was so worth it! Lots of access to stream. We have swimsuits or water shoes, but that would definitely be something fun to do on a hot day
October 16, 2020September 28, 2020Fun trail with lots of shade and access to the stream. The water temp is cool and feels great on a warm day. Great hike!
September 25, 2020Awesome well-kept trail with lots of shade. It's super well mantained, just closed near the end because of some structural damage. Beautiful views all around.
September 18, 2020September 16, 2020September 6, 2020This a wonderfully unique trail that has been improved since my last visit 5 years ago & the trail goes further now. Wear your swimsuit under your hiking clothes & take water shoes. Several places to get in the water & it's not more than knee deep. Do take a backpack to hold your water & please take your trash back with you. Sad to see lots of trash left behind. Go at the crack of dawn to avoid crowds. Very few wearing masks.
September 5, 2020Enjoyable trail. It was hot, bring water shoes so you can cool off!
September 4, 2020August 29, 2020August 16, 2020Beautiful trail with several shaded areas to relax in. The water is very cold but refreshing. Go early to avoid large crowds. Several groups of families were there, majority not wearing masks. The parking lot had overflowed out into the street by the time we left.
