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
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Trekkers in 2021
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.Â
FIELD DAYS ON TREK in 2021
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




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.
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. Â
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.
Outdoor Training Center
The Outdoor Training Center at Cottonwood Gulch focuses on creating opportunities for outdoor leaders to gain certifications in a number of fields, from wilderness medicine to mountain biking instruction.
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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.
VIEW Summer TREKS
Trek Log
Our trekkers keep a log while on their trek. Below are some of their experiences.
southwest outdoor education