Catwalk National Recreation Trail

In the late 1800s, a mill was built near the mouth of Whitewater Canyon to process ore from mines in the mountains above, and it needed a steady supply of water. To get it, workers ran a pipeline up the narrow, twisting canyon, and to maintain the pipe where it clung to the sheer walls, they built a catwalk beside it, a precarious plank-and-metal walkway high above the creek.

The mill and the little town of Graham that grew around it thrived for a time and then faded as the ore played out, leaving the canyon quiet again. The original pipeline is gone, but the idea of the catwalk survived, and in the twentieth century the route was rebuilt as a recreation trail so that visitors could experience the drama of the canyon the old pipeline crews once knew.

The trail begins in a shady picnic area at the canyon mouth and quickly enters the narrows, where the walls rise close on either side and the metal walkway takes over, bolted to the rock above Whitewater Creek. In places the catwalk hangs right over the rushing water, and the spray, the echo, and the cool shade make it feel worlds away from the dry country outside.

The built walkway is not long, and it is manageable for most visitors, though the steel can be slick with spray and the footing demands attention. For those who want more, the trail continues beyond the constructed section into the rougher terrain of the Gila high country, where it climbs into wilderness far from any handrail or crowd.

Whitewater Canyon is a narrow, steep-walled slot, and that same beauty makes it prone to flooding. Heavy rains in the mountains above can send walls of water and debris roaring down the canyon, and floods have damaged and rebuilt the Catwalk more than once over the years. Because of this, it is essential to check that the trail is open before making the drive, and never to enter the canyon when heavy rain threatens.

That volatility is part of the canyon's character. The rushing creek that makes the trail so lovely is also the force that carved the narrows and that reshapes them still. Visitors who come when the water is running clear and the trail is open get to walk through a landscape that is always, slowly, remaking itself.

The Catwalk sits on the edge of the vast Gila country, a wild region of forested mountains, hot springs, and deep canyons that includes the first designated wilderness in the United States. Glenwood, the small village at the canyon's foot, makes an easygoing base, and the surrounding country rewards travelers who want to slow down and explore the back roads of southwestern New Mexico.

Spring and fall bring the most pleasant weather for the canyon, mild and clear, while summer is hot outside the canyon but cool within it, tempered by the shade and the creek, though it also brings the monsoon storms that raise the flood risk. Winter is quiet and can be cold in the shaded narrows. In any season, an open, running Catwalk is a memorable walk.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Catwalk National Recreation Trail, near the town of Glenwood in southwestern New Mexico, is a unique and scenic trail that follows a metal walkway suspended along the walls of the dramatic Whitewater Canyon, high above the rushing creek below. The catwalk traces the route of a historic water pipeline built to serve a nineteenth-century mining operation and mill. As visitors walk the suspended metal path through the narrow, beautiful canyon, they enjoy stunning views of the sheer rock walls, the creek, and the lush riparian scenery. Combining history, adventure, and beautiful canyon scenery, the Catwalk National Recreation Trail offers a memorable and distinctive outdoor experience in southwestern New Mexico.

You can walk the suspended metal catwalk along the walls of Whitewater Canyon, taking in dramatic views of the sheer rock, the rushing creek, and the lush canyon greenery, learn about the historic pipeline and mining history the catwalk commemorates, wade or cool off near the creek, and enjoy photography of the scenic canyon. Trails continue beyond the developed catwalk for those wanting a longer hike. The unique suspended walkway makes it a fun and scenic outing. With its historic catwalk, beautiful canyon scenery, and creek, the Catwalk National Recreation Trail offers a memorable adventure in southwestern New Mexico.

Whitewater Canyon is prone to flash floods, which can be extremely dangerous and have damaged the catwalk in the past, so never enter the canyon if rain threatens or is falling in the area, and heed all warnings and closures. On the catwalk, watch your footing on the metal walkway, which can be slippery when wet, hold the railings, and keep children close. The creek can run swift and cold. Being very mindful of flash-flood risk and avoiding the canyon during or before storms, along with caution on the walkway, is essential for a safe visit to the Catwalk.

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for walking the canyon trail, while summer can be hot and, importantly, brings monsoon storms and serious flash-flood risk, so summer visits require careful attention to the weather and avoiding the canyon if rain threatens. Winter is cooler with possible ice on the walkway. The canyon is lush and beautiful in the milder seasons. For the best combination of comfortable weather and lower flash-flood risk, aim for spring or fall on a clear day, always checking the weather and any closures before visiting the Catwalk National Recreation Trail.

The Catwalk National Recreation Trail is near the town of Glenwood in southwestern New Mexico, close to the historic Mogollon ghost town up in the mountains, the vast Gila Wilderness and the Gila Cliff Dwellings to the east, and within reach of the town of Silver City. That makes the Catwalk National Recreation Trail a scenic and adventurous stop to combine with the Mogollon ghost town, the Gila Wilderness, and Silver City on a visit to the remote and beautiful mountains of southwestern New Mexico.