Continental Divide Trail Days
April 18-20, 2025
Silver City, New Mexico
It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss! Join us for a celebration of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the communities and landscape stewardship efforts along the Divide.
Dark Skies Gathering | April 25-27, Pie Town
The fun doesn’t stop at Trail Days; next stop, Pie Town! Learn more about this weekend of cosmic connection.
Camping and Local Accommodations
Hikers welcome! Free camping is offered at Waterworks.
Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in Volunteering at Trail Days? Sign-up to get involved!
Vendors
Interested in hosting a booth at Trail Days? Secure your spot here!
Vendor Festival Booth Application
Schedule of Events
Thursday, April 17 | Kickoff Celebration with Open Space Brewing
THURSDAY, APRIL 17
4:30pm – 6:30pm
at Open Space Brewing
Join us to kick off the 10th Annual Trail Days weekend with an evening of drinks, food, and music!
Plus, enjoy the debut screening of a short film about the Gila River, along with special guests joining us to celebrate the CDT and Southern New Mexico.
Friday, April 18 | Speaker Series & Fiesta at Little Toad Creek Brewing
9am-4pm: Cultural Connection Speaker Series
Silco Theater (311 N Bullard St, Silver City, NM 88061)
Join us at the historic Silco Theater during CDT Trail Days for our Cultural Speaker Series, where we celebrate the rich history, diverse voices, and evolving stories of the Continental Divide Trail and its surrounding communities. This engaging series features speakers from Indigenous communities, local historians, Dark Sky educators and astronomers, outdoor advocates, and long-distance hikers who share their unique perspectives on conservation, culture, and connection to the land.
Whether you’re a thru-hiker, a local resident, or simply passionate about the outdoors, these thought-provoking discussions will deepen your understanding of the landscapes and people that make the CDT so special. Don’t miss this opportunity to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful conversations! There will be door prizes between sessions and CDTC staff will be hosting a merch table along with resources about the trail.
9:00- 9:30 am – Welcome and VIP Session
Join us for a short retrospective and forward looking welcome with special guests, short videos and celebrating 10 years of CDT Trail Days and sharing our love and passion for the landscapes and communities of the Continental Divide and the Trail along its spine. Moderated by Teresa Martinez, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition.
9:30-11am – Session 1: Finding Common Ground Underneath the Stars | Panel facilitated by Teresa Martinez, CDTC Executive Director
Michael Darrow: Secretary-Treasurer of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe and Tribal Historian
● Michael Darrow is the Secretary-Treasurer of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe, and has been the designated Tribal Historian since 1986. He attended the University of Oklahoma, majoring in botany, and received an associate degree in Museum Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. He has worked for the Tribe on Native American Grave Protection and Reparations Act and on cultural and language preservation issues.
Naomi Hartford: Cultural Coordinator of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe
Cassandra Carmichael: Executive Director of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
● Cassandra Carmichael is the Executive Director for the National Religious Partnership for the Environment where she serves an alliance of four major faith groups: Jewish, Catholic, Evangelical and Protestant. Previously, she was the Washington office and eco-justice program director for the National Council of Churches where she implemented the environmental and justice ministries of NCC’s 37 member denominations, which represent 100,000 churches nationwide. Cassandra is a senior fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program and a previous board member on the Chesapeake Bay Alliance.
Marisela La Grave: New York – Paris – New Mexico based Intermedia artist, director, producer, filmmaker, photographer and creator of collaborative works that explore the space in between concept, everyday realities, elements of chance, fiction, consciousness and temporality. La Grave’s work include experimental films, essay style documentaries, photography, drawing, video art and time based works for camera. Her intermedia installations, astro-wilderness preservation project, and collaborative works are the core of her ongoing investigations. Her works have been screened, exhibited, presented, installed, and published internationally and housed in private collections and museums around the world. She is the co-founder and the Artistic Director at Magnetic LaboratoriumTM (2001-2025) a New York – Paris – New Mexico based transdisciplinary studio producing site-specific international projects. She is the founder of Dark Sky Land, Inc www.darkskyland.us, an interdisciplinary night ecology-wildlife conservation organization, with the mission of saving the night from extinction in an already dark sky astro – wilderness corridor in the State of New Mexico.
11am-12:30pm – Session 2: The CDT at Night – Stargazing for Thru-Hikers | Zack Stockbridge, Astronomer and Astronomy Instructor
● Zack “Beekeeper” Stockbridge has taught astronomy for most of 20 years. An avid astro-photographer and eclipse-chaser, he also thru-hiked the Continental Divide Trail in 2023. A love for landscapes and nightscapes allowed him to enjoy the CDT in a unique way. He is excited to share some of his knowledge of the night sky so you can experience a new level of wonder during your adventures. While on trail, he did a series of social media posts entitled “CDT at Night” to showcase some of the beautiful experiences under the night sky he and his wife encountered along the way. Zack and his wife, Jen (“Kismet”) have been married for 20 years, have hiked over 10,000 miles together and now live in Trinidad, Colorado – which is not close enough to the CDT!
1:30pm – 3pm – Session 3: Exploring the Great Divide Trail | Kate Hamilton, Executive Director of the Great Divide Trail Association
● Kate began volunteer trail building with the GDTA in 2020 and quickly became attached to the trail and the volunteers, which is why she put her name forward for this role. Kate deeply values connection with the environment inspiring stewardship and protection, movement outdoors for mental and physical health, and access and inclusion to outdoor recreation for everyone. She hopes that her contributions will help the Great Divide Trail to be preserved and maintained for generations to come.
5:30-9:00pm: Trail Days Friday Night Fiesta!
Join CDTC and friends for our official kick-off to Trail Days at the Little Toad! Along with the CDT, we will be celebrating the Gila River and all of our public lands and will have some special guests joining us to help us celebrate our most treasured places around Southern New Mexico. There will be raffle prizes and a hiker buffet! Get a plate for $10 and enjoy the camaraderie of downtown Silver City. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Saturday, April 19 | Festival at Gough Park & Stargazing Event
9am-4pm: Trail Days Festival
12 Noon: Group photo. Meet in front of the mural in Gough Park
Get ready for a lively celebration at the Trail Days Vendor Festival, where the heart of the CDT community comes together for a day of adventure, connection, and fun! Stroll through a diverse lineup of vendors offering the latest outdoor gear, handcrafted goods, and local artwork. Savor delicious bites from food vendors serving up trail favorites and regional flavors. We will also be welcoming back our friends from Open Space Brewery for a beer garden!
There is something for everyone at the Fest! Enjoy live performances from local musicians, challenge friends to classic lawn games, and take part in interactive activities from our outdoor gear partners that bring the spirit of the trail to life. Whether you’re a hiker fresh off the CDT, a local outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a good time, the signature Trail Days event is the perfect place to soak up the energy of Trail Days.
Interested in being on the local radio? Join Gila Mimbres Community Radio | KURU 89.1 FM for a chance to be interviewed about your hike! GMCR will be onsite from 9am-12pm doing a live broadcast and interviewing hikers.
Dark Sky Party and Stargazing event: Will begin at dusk, Silver City Waterworks Site. Parking is available at Jose Barrios Elementary School.
(1721 Little Walnut, Silver City, NM 88062)
Experience the magic of the night sky at our Dark Sky Party & Stargazing Event at the historic Waterworks site in Silver City! Join professional astronomers for an unforgettable evening of cosmic exploration as we gaze at planets and constellations.
Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate as you learn about dark sky conservation efforts in southern New Mexico and how we can help protect our stunning nightscapes. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or simply curious about the wonders above, this event promises breathtaking views, fascinating insights, and a chance to connect with the universe in a whole new way. Bring your curiosity, a cozy blanket, and prepare to be amazed!
Sunday, April 20 | Community Hikes & Stewardship Events
Wrap up Trail Days with a chance to give back to the trail and enjoy the beauty of the CDT! Join us for a Community Hike & Stewardship Day on the final day of Trail Days, where we’ll come together for a scenic group hike and a hands-on stewardship project to help care for the trail we love.
Whether you’re a thru-hiker, a local outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a meaningful way to connect with the land, this event is a great opportunity to explore, learn, and make a lasting impact.
Hike #1: Cherry Creek off Trail with Heart of the Gila
This hike includes creek hopping, rock jumping and a bit of off-trail navigating. Cherry Creek is a local’s favorite with year round water, tons of wildlife, and the hoodoo rock shapes emblematic of the Gila geology.
Level: Moderate, but no incline
Lead: Elysha Montoya. Outdoor Educator for Heart of the Gila
Hike #2: Oboz Footwear Rise n’ Shine Hike and Shoe Demo
Try out a pair of Oboz hiking boots and hit the Gomez Peak Trail. Gradually ascend to Gomez Peak (summit 7275 feet) while enjoying views of the Gila National Forest and surrounding desert landscapes. It’s great for those
looking for a bit of a challenge without being too strenuous.
Level: Moderate, steady elevation
Lead: Karla Amador, Founder of 52 Hike Challenge, Oboz Ambassador
Sycamore Canyon Trail #234
CDT Alternate Day Project in partnership with Backcountry Horsemen, Gila Chapter. All trail users welcome and no trail work experience necessary. To register, please contact Melissa Green at [email protected].
Learn more about the project, schedule, and what to bring here.
Camping Opportunities for Hikers
- No overnight parking will be permitted on site at the Waterworks building, there will be parking available off nearby Virginia Street. Onsite manager will help direct parking if you have any questions.
- Due to fire restrictions, there will be no campfires permitted onsite.
- No alcohol or cannabis consumption is allowed on-site.
Amenities include:
● Full kitchen for meal prep
● Composting toilets
● Lockers with padlocks for valuables
A huge thank you to the Silver City Waterworks for their hospitality – see you under the stars!
Other Accommodations
What makes Trail Days so amazing?
Get a glimpse of the Trail Days experience!
An event for trail enthusiasts far and wide: Trail days is an annual celebration of the Continental Divide National scenic trail and the communities and trail maintenance efforts along the CDT. “People come from all over now to participate, and it’s a big support for the community.”
Dark Sky gathering in Pie Town April 25th – 27th
Join us for a community and family-friendly gathering to celebrate the stars and dark skies along the CDT in Pie Town, NM.
Experience one of the darkest regions of the northern hemisphere in and around Pie Town New Mexico. Presentations will include Astronomer led viewing of the dark skies, presentations on the spiritual importance of dark skies to all people, a multi-disciplinary art installation, and learning more about how Pie Town is ground central for the BEST star gazing in New Mexico.
We hope to see you soon
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Vendor Booth Details
Both Types: Informational Display Only, Display and Product Sales
Booth Size Options:
10′ x 10′ Nonprofit – $25
10′ x 20′ Nonprofit – $25
10′ x 10′ Commercial – $75
10′ x 20′ Commercial – $75
10′ x 10′ – Silver City resident or organization (fee waived)
10′ x 20′ – Silver City resident or organization (fee waived)
Must supply your own:
Tables
Chairs
Tents
*We will have limited tents available to borrow on first come first serve basis
*Electricity is first come first serve basis and not available to all booth spaces
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