Donate   |   Login

COTTONWOOD GULCH EXPEDITIONS

Explore the Outdoors Together

Cottonwood Gulch offers unique expeditions rooted in the culture and landscape of the American Southwest. Kids from ages 8 to 18 will have the opportunity to explore together by participating in one of our available programs.

available programs

ALL PROGRAMS

SUMMER TREKS

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Adults Treks

DONATE NOW

CONTACT US

Watch a VIDEO ABOUT COTTONWOOD GULCH

Trekkers This Year

The Programs at Cottonwood Gulch allow for kids to see a wide expanse of the American Southwest. Our Treks cover areas of the Bisti Badlands Wilderness to the San Juan, and Santa Fe National Forests. 

FIELD DAYS ON TREK THIS YEAR

Cottonwood Gulch staff dedicate their days to creating opportunistic education. We want to inspire trekkers and percipients in a wide range of outdoor, community and personal skills. View our programs page to learn more.

About Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions

At the Gulch, we’ll inspire you with all of the places we explore, we will take you on world-class backpacking and hiking trails, connect you with hands-on science and nature, and engage you in the art and culture of the Southwest. Cottonwood Gulch has been leading expeditions across these incredible lands since 1926. Our staff are seasoned and gifted to ensure that trekkers and participants have a rich time while ensuring their safety in the outdoors. Our primary programs are focused on the summer months and are called, Summer Treks. However, we offer school and medical certification programs through-out the year. 

The Gulch experience embodies these core activities:

  • Wilderness Immersion
  • Science & Nature
  • Community Service
  • Arts & Culture
Learn More

Cottonwood Gulch Programs

Select a program below to be shown available options and/or details about the program. 

Summer Treks

Our Summer Treks take kids from ages 8 to 18 all across the American Southwest. Activities such as Hiking, Mountain Biking, Camping, Skills Development and more are just the beginning of what a trek has to offer.

Learn More

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Ready to put classroom learning into action? Classroom expeditions combine elements of self-discovery, group collaboration, personal responsibility as well as our pillars of arts and culture, science and nature, and wilderness immersion.  

Learn More

Treks for Adults, Young and Old

Treks for Adults, Young and Old are all other programs hosted at Cottonwood Gulch through-out the year. These events range from Semester in the Southwest, Wilderness Medical Certification Courses, YSC, and more.

Learn More

U.S. Youth Conservation Corps

The YCC  is a summer youth employment program that engages young people, ages 15 to 18, in meaningful work experiences on national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and fish hatcheries. 

Learn More

VIEW ALL PROGRAMS

Featured Program

Summer Treks 2022

Registration Open Now

Registration for Summer Treks in 2022 are now open! We are excited to welcome trekkers to Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions for another season of trekking across the American Southwest.

Learn More

VIEW Summer TREKS

Trek Log

Our trekkers keep a log while on their trek. Below are some of their experiences.

Weber Salmanson

“We did nothing all day but night was very eventful to say the least. A big storm with lightning and hail
came. That’s it.”

Soren Stevie

“The day started by breakfast. It was sausage and eggs. We did details then Cottonwoods. I choose hiking for fossils. I found a whistle? Train connector. Then we had lunch, details, then siesta, which we used to play Gaga Ball. During Gaga Ball, I got first and took out Leo. We did Cottonwoods again and I finally got to do metal working!! I made one copper ring but then I cut it in half so now I have two. We ate dinner, did details. Then we played games and had a Nalgene fire. Now we are taking ownerships. Currently the sunset looks really nice.”

Sonora Smith

“Today we did a walk of Basecamp even though I’’ve been here before. It was so hot and everyone was walking so slow. After that we went to Cottonwoods. I picked one with Jess to do art. Then we took a shower and played a game. We had an open camp fire in the Cha’oh. Then we hiked to Outfit and decorated our cabin.”