Paleontology Trek 2026
Paleontology Trek is two weeks of real field science in some of the most fossil-rich landscapes on earth. Trekkers work alongside professional paleontologists on active dig sites, earn four transferable college credits, and go behind the scenes at world-class museums, all while exploring the badlands, mesas, and high desert of New Mexico. No field experience required. Just a genuine love of dinosaurs and the curiosity to find out what's still buried out there.
Paleontology Trek 2026 Details
Age Range: 15–18 years old
Min Group Size: 6 / Max 16
Gender: All genders
Instructors: 2-4
15 days on trek
Cost: $4,300 (scholarships available) — 4 credit hours from Mesalands Community College included
2026 Dates: June 21 – July 5
Focus: Applied paleontology in the field alongside professionals
Paleontology Trek 2026 Itinerary
Our itineraries are carefully planned and thoughtfully flexible. Routes may shift depending on weather, permits, or other circumstances — your Gulch leader will keep you informed of any changes along the way.
Day 1: Arrivals & Introductions - The trek begins at the airport with names, faces, and first impressions. Trekkers get oriented on Gulch systems, roles, and the shared life they're about to step into. The dinosaurs can wait one more night.
Days 2–8: Tucumcari — Into the Field - The heart of the trek. Trekkers spend mornings on active dig sites alongside Dr. Axel Hungerbühler and his professional research team, getting their hands into the earth and learning the real work of field paleontology. Afternoons open up the wider world of the Southwest: the Blackwater Draw Museum, Tucumcari's history museum, a working ostrich farm, an afternoon at Ute Lake, and a private tour of Tom's Ranch. On the final day, trekkers shift from excavation to preservation, preparing fossils in the lab and exploring the museum exhibits they've been working to contribute to all week.
Days 9–10: On the Road Through Northern New Mexico - Heading west, the trek transitions from dig sites to the broader cultural and geological story of the Southwest. Ghost Ranch offers sweeping landscapes that have inspired artists and scientists alike, and happens to sit atop one of the most significant dinosaur fossil deposits ever discovered. A behind-the-scenes tour of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History collections closes the loop before trekkers head to Basecamp.
Days 11–12: Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp & Rendezvous - Trekkers settle into cabins at Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp, exploring the Zuni Mountains and learning about the history of the Gulch's 550-acre property. The stretch culminates in Rendezvous, the Gulch's beloved all-community celebration where all summer programs converge for connection, shared stories, and music under the New Mexico sky.
Days 13–15: Banquet, Final Night & Departure - The final days bring the Paleo Trekkers together for a closing banquet before trekkers spend one last night in the Cha' Oh. Airport day arrives quickly. Bags packed, fossils documented, college credit earned.
Praise for Cottonwood Gulch Summer Treks
For Prairie Trek, Turquoise Trail Trek, and Mountain Desert Trek there is the option of a trekker to apply to be a Cook’s Assistant or Quarter Master (CA and QM). Click here to apply.
