About Us
WHO WE ARE
MISSION & VISION
ABOUT PROGRAMS
FAQs







Who We Are
An early leader in outdoor education, we’ve been running unique outdoor expeditions in the Southwest since 1926.
Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions is a non-profit, 501c3 organization based out of Albuquerque, NM with a 550 acre Basecamp located in Thoreau, NM. We believe that to experience true adventure, you must first have a reason to be there. To us, adventure is both feeling the thrill of your first 13,000 foot peak and the excitement of discovering how that peak came to be. We believe that knowledge provides the basis for excitement, and that to fully experience the wonder of the Southwest, we must seek to understand it. This is who we are. This is why we love what we do.
Our Mission
Cottonwood Gulch creates outdoor learning adventures for youth from all backgrounds that foster personal growth, strengthen community, and inspire stewardship of the natural world.
Our Vision
Cottonwood Gulch envisions a global community grounded in reverence for the Southwestern U.S., and respect for the lands, waters, and human cultures of the world.
Our Organizational Values
Living In Community
Environmental Stewardship
Through education and experience, we aim to instill an ethic of environmental stewardship that creates a healthier relationship with the natural world. We are committed to following environmentally conscious practices and stewarding our properties for ecological health and resilience.
Access
We recognize that in New Mexico and elsewhere, safe access to public lands, outdoor spaces, and the benefits of nature is distributed unequally by income and race. We are committed to providing resources, seeking funding, and partnering with other organizations and individuals to resolve these inequities and provide greater access to programs like ours.
Diversity and Inclusion
We strive to be a diverse and inclusive organization, a value that is paramount to achieving our mission. We are committed to attracting and promoting participants, staff, and volunteer leaders who reflect the racial, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity of our region and our country as a whole. We are committed to transparency about the diversity of our staff, leaders, and participants, and aim to ensure an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact with Cottonwood Gulch.
Embracing Challenge
The physical, mental, and interpersonal challenges that often accompany our treks create highly transformative experiences. We believe that embracing challenges provides a gateway to personal growth, greater self-awareness, and lifelong introspection.
Spirit of Adventure
We integrate a spirit of adventure into our programs. We embrace serendipity and unexpected turns as important learning opportunities that, balanced with planned activities, create life-altering experiences and long lasting memories.
Honoring Native and Indigenous Communities
Since the 1920s, we have sought to build strong and enduring relationships with Native and Indigenous communities, most notably the extended Henio family. Our Basecamp is located on the ancestral lands of several Native American communities, who have stewarded that land, and all the lands we visit, for countless generations. We continue to honor Native and Indigenous cultures by incorporating diverse sources of knowledge into our programs and land stewardship, learning from past mistakes, and building authentic partnerships with individuals, families, and Native-led organizations.
Immersive and Place-Based Learning
We value experiences where participants are able to immerse themselves into a place or topic over extended periods of time. This means unplugging from digital distractions, and becoming curious about the people and places that surround us. As part of our immersion in place we educate trekkers about New Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., and create programs that focus on the unique history, ecology, culture, and art of this region.
Partnerships
We believe that programs and communities are strengthened through partnerships. We seek to collaborate with mission-aligned organizations and individuals who serve communities in New Mexico and the southwestern U.S.
Personal Responsibility
Each member of a team is essential to its well being, and individuals grow and prosper when they are valued as part of a thriving group. As trekkers “see what needs to be done and do it” they learn the value of work, responsibility, and teamwork, building stronger groups in the process.



About Our Programs
Every experience at Cottonwood Gulch, whether a day hike, a week-long backpack, a shared meal on the road, or sitting together around the campfire, is dedicated towards discovering who we truly are and who we want to be. We firmly believe that getting outdoors is essential in developing critically thinking, compassionate and capable young people. We know that sleeping under the stars and exploring with friends build memories that last a lifetime.
Join us in the field, at Basecamp, on the road and everywhere in between as we grow, learn and share with each other. Our treks immerse participants in place-based learning; Nature-focused art, science, historical and cultural studies and building the technical skills required to live outdoors are what make our programs special. The people you’ll meet, the places you’ll go and the projects you’ll work on while experiencing the Gulch, will stay with you no matter where life takes you next!
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Summer Treks
Our summer treks takes 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
Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions hosts numerous school programs year-round. From day hikes to backpacking, full-year programs to single day trips, we provide programming for all ages, with a focus on experiencing the outdoor classroom.

Treks for Adults
At the Gulch we like to celebrate our volunteers, trekkers and Cottonwood family by hosting treks for adults- young and old, throughout the year. Be sure to check out this page to keep up to date with what is coming up.
Meaningful Gulch Numbers
TREKKERS in 2022 AT THE GULCH
ACTIVE Field DAYS in 2022
TREKKER SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS GIVEN in 2022
The Gulch experience embodies these core activities!

Every trek at Cottonwood Gulch will immerse you in the wilderness, the science, and the culture of the Southwest. Cottonwood Gulch is a place where adventure – backpacking, rock climbing, spelunking, exploring ghost towns – is the foundation for learning.
Science At Base Camp
Hands-on projects to help you fall in love with science, and hone your field work skills at the same time. Experiential education at its best!
Science at Basecamp is the best way to dirty your boots and learn about native New Mexican lizards, insects, birds, plants, and history. You’ll be amazed at the diversity of life in the high desert, and the enthusiasm of our staff will surely inspire you to fall in love with this vibrant landscape. We hire naturalists every year who work closely with you to develop hands-on projects in geology, biology, herpetology, ornithology, paleontology, archaeology, astronomy, zoology, botany, hydrology–whatever piques your interest.
Science On the Road
One of the best ways to learn about the natural world is to compare two entirely different ecosystems. When on the road, you will have access to a whole slew of equipment that we carry as part of our expedition: books, field guides, microscopes, binoculars, old logs from previous Cottonwood Gulch treks, telescopes… it’s hard not to let your curiosity take over and fall in love with the incredible life that calls this place home.
Over the past nine decades we have built strong ties with neighbors, friends, and families throughout the Four Corners states. We consider this four statewide network our community and we contribute time and hard work to make it a better one.
Expeditions may work with the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service or Park Service to improve and maintain trails and campsites, gaining access to restricted or otherwise hard to find areas.
Our Arts Workshop is the perfect place to work side-by-side with our resident artists to create your own work. Music is also a big part of The Gulch experience. We sing songs nightly at campfires, and offer workshops and classes with our staff musicians to learn a new instrument or write new songs together.
Join the Team and Explore the Outdoors Together!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your cancellation policy?
A nonrefundable deposit of 20% of the full tuition will hold your place in the group and is due with the initial application. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the beginning of your trek. If you sign up within 30 days of the trek start date, the full tuition is required in order to reserve a place. Wilderness medicine courses do not accept deposits and so full tuition payment will be required upon registration.
If you need to cancel your enrollment, the 20% deposit is nonrefundable at any time. If you cancel 45 days or more before the trek start date, the remaining 80% of your tuition is fully refundable. Less than 45 days prior to the trek start date, no paid tuition is refundable. A full refund will only be made if an application is not accepted or if the expedition must be canceled.
Do trekkers carry cell phones, computers, etc.?
No–A Cottonwood Gulch expedition is an opportunity to take a break from modern technology. This is not because we view technology as bad, but we have found that when we step away from cell phones, computers, and television for a few weeks, a whole new element of personal growth is possible. Trekkers interact with each other more readily, they learn to be creative in the outdoors, to entertain each other, and consequently they return home with a healthier relationship toward technology than when they arrived. Our staff carry cell phones and satellite phones in case of emergency, and parents can always contact the directors via email or phone. Digital cameras (as long as they are not on a phone) are highly encouraged. Trust us, this break from technology is a good thing.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, we offer a number of scholarships, funded by our endowment and by the generous donations of alumni and others interested in outdoor education. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and decisions are made by the Cottonwood Gulch scholarship committee. Timely submission of application materials will help to ensure financial assistance. We cannot always accommodate every worthy applicant. We encourage families to contact us directly if they are in need of financial assistance or have questions regarding our scholarship program. Donations in support of this, and all our programs, are always welcome. To inquire about scholarships, or to make a donation, send an email to enrollment@cottonwoodgulch.org. You can also download a copy of the application here:
What do you eat?
Our Basecamp and group cooks take pride in feeding Trekkers well. Each meal is prepared with both nutrition and taste in mind, using mainly fresh ingredients. While in Basecamp, groups eat family style in our mess hall, often enjoying organic vegetables from our own garden, or bread baked in our outdoor pueblo-style horno. On the road, when groups are camped with their vehicles, the group cook prepares all meals with the assistance of a rotating kitchen detail. When backpacking, trekkers prepare their own food — carefully selected and packaged by the cook — over camp stoves. One group is known to have had vegetarian sushi in the backcountry, while another finished the road loop with a banquet of steak, mashed potatoes, Caesar salad and chocolate cake. We believe in the importance of fueling our bodies properly in this challenging environment.
How athletic does my child need to be?
Anyone in normal physical condition should have no difficulty participating in all activities. Our expeditions build to the more challenging activities, so that trekkers have time to adjust to altitude and climate, while gaining confidence and experience, before tackling our most challenging hikes. Each activity can be challenging to any level of athlete: we often split into smaller groups, especially on backpacking trips, with routes and destinations geared towards the ability and interests of the members of the group. That said, all trekkers should be able to hike at least 3 miles on uneven terrain carrying a small day pack. In our backpacking groups (Mountain Desert Trek, Prairie Trek, Turquoise Trail, Wild Country Trek), trekkers should be able to carry 50+ pounds for several miles on uneven terrain for 3-10 days at a time. The better shape you’re in when you arrive at the Gulch, the more enjoyable of an experience you can expect. Trekkers are encouraged to challenge themselves at all times in an age-appropriate manner.
How do trekkers get there and back home?
Most of our trekkers fly in and out of the Albuquerque International Sunport, where they are met by group staff and shuttled back to Basecamp. Some trekkers ride Amtrak trains in and out of Albuquerque, where they are also met by group staff. Trekkers from the local area are often dropped off at Basecamp or in Albuquerque by their parents (who are always welcome to visit). Some families choose to make the travel part of a family vacation, and enjoy a visit to the Southwest together before dropping off their trekker.
Who are the other people in the expedition?
Trekkers and staff for the expeditions come from not only, all over the United States, but all over the world. While there is no simple way to describe a typical trekker, the one quality that unites most trekkers is curiosity. For many of our younger trekkers, this is the first time they have ventured into the wilderness. For our older trekkers, the expeditions may be either a wholly new experience or the continuation of previous experiences, either at the Gulch or in other outdoor programs. Trekkers often have strong interests in a wide range of topics, from music to mineralogy, from wilderness leadership to wildlife biology, from creative writing to cartography. Many of our trekkers are the friends, siblings, children and grandchildren of former trekkers and staff at Cottonwood Gulch, though each year a large percentage are brand new to the Gulch.
How many staff are in each group? How big are the groups?
We have one staff member for every five trekkers in the group. There are between 10 and 20 trekkers in each group, although group sizes do vary. There is a designated group leader for each expedition who sets the itinerary and is responsible for all aspects of the group. In each group there is also an expedition cook and one or two other instructors who are designated as a naturalist, sociologist, historian or artist.
Can I reach a group on the road in the case of an emergency?
Yes — many expeditions spend the majority of their time in the backcountry, far from telephones and usually out of cell phone coverage. However, group leaders carry satellite phones in the backcountry, and all staff carry cell phones and check in with the director regularly over the course of the loop. In case of emergency, the director can reach the group, in person or with a message, within 24 hours. For normal communications, the groups send and receive mail every day at Basecamp and at least once a week on the road. Trekkers have opportunities to phone home when they visit towns for supplies, about once every 10 days.
What are the projects like? Are they individual or group projects?
Each summer we encourage trekkers to tackle a project of their own in an area of particular interest to them. Projects vary from year to year and group to group. Younger groups, such as the Outfit, focus more on collective projects, while the older groups pursue primarily individual projects. In recent years, trekkers have surveyed wildlife and plants creating a field guide to the Zuni Mountains, diagrammed the geologic timeline from pre-history to the present, pursued projects in photography ranging from portraiture to historical reenactment, created silver and ceramic artwork, discovered and documented dinosaur bones and archaeological artifacts, cut down trees in overgrown forests to learn about ecosystem management, recorded and produced audio logs and original songs to document the summer, researched the history and politics of the Los Alamos Laboratory. Each year we hire professional artists, archaeologists, naturalists, and farmers to work directly with the trekkers, helping them develop and complete their own customized projects.
How do you manage risk?
Cottonwood Gulch has been leading quality expeditions into the Southwest since 1926. We emphasize sound decision-making skills to avoid the risk of being caught unprepared in the backcountry. Instructors undergo a criminal background check and are certified in Wilderness First Aid; many instructors also have a Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT certification. First aid kits are carried by the staff instructors and all staff are trained in who to contact if the situation is beyond the scope of their training. As with all active pursuits, there is inherent physical risk, though rest assured that we are committed to a high standard of risk management in all of our programs and firmly believe that prevention is the best medicine.
How do you travel on the road?
We use 15-passenger vans and a gear truck for each expedition. The truck, which we call the commissary (com) truck, carries all the food, water, and tents we need as well as our mobile kitchen and personal gear. It also carries scientific equipment including GPS units, a selective library, many art supplies, and audio recorders for capturing sounds of the expedition. We establish temporary base camps in undeveloped areas and stay there for three to eight days, taking day or overnight trips from the base camp to explore the area. When groups are away from the Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp, we spend every night on the road camping — either sleeping in tents or underneath the stars.
Where do the trips go?
We are based in New Mexico, but we travel to all Four Corners states: New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Our wilderness destinations are mostly areas that few others visit, including the Gila Wilderness of southern New Mexico, the Blue Range primitive area of the White Mountains in Arizona, Cedar Mesa and the La Sals in southern Utah, the High Uintas Wilderness Area of northern Utah, the Delores Valley in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and the Sangre de Cristos in northern New Mexico. Every expedition will visit ancient pueblo sites including Chaco Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Keet Seel, Grand Gulch, Hovenweep or Bandelier. We also travel to visit friends in contemporary communities on the Navajo Reservation and at the pueblos of Zuni, Hopi and Acoma. At each destination, we establish a temporary base camp with our vehicles and mobile kitchen. We stay in each place for three to eight days, taking day or overnight trips from the base camp, in order to explore and understand the wilderness, science, and cultures of the Southwest.
If your question is not answered above,
please feel free to contact us directly…