Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 14–17 · $2,150/week
Directory · United States · New Mexico · Gallup
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 14–17

Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek

New Mexico - · $2,150/week

An expedition-based program for teens to explore paleontology in the American Southwest.

▌ Editor's read The Paleontology Trek is an overnight program for ages 12-16, offered by Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, which has been operating since 1926. The organization is ACA accredited, with accreditation valid through 2025, and explicitly states that all staff undergo background checks. The program focuses on fossil hunting, geology, and outdoor skills in New Mexico, with a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:5. Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions has a Google rating of 4.9 stars based on 107 reviews, with reviewers frequently praising the transformative experiences, knowledgeable staff, and emphasis on outdoor education. The camp is a non-profit organization, founded by Richard Watson, and its social media handles are @cottonwoodgulch on Instagram and cottonwoodgulch on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 193195+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 14–17

Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in overnight/sleepaway, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Yes
Established
1931 (95 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
  • Ages: 14–17
  • Hours: of operation: Overnight
  • Address: 9287 NM-602, Gallup, NM 87301, USA
  • Phone: +1 505-863-3873
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: Cost is $4,300 for a 15-day trek, which is approximately 2 weeks. Scholarships are available. The cost includes 4 college credits.

Runs of operation: Overnight, 1 session (0 one-week, 1 multi-week block), from Jun 21 to Jul 5.

Sessions ⛓

Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.

  • Session 1 Jun 21 – Jul 5, 2026 · 3 weeks · $4,300

↗ What parents like

  • Earn 4 college credits
  • Work with paleontologists
  • Explore fossil-rich landscapes

↘ Watch for

  • Physically demanding
  • No field experience required

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: Yes
  • Transportation: Yes
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek

What ages does Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek accept?
Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek is open to children ages 14–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek cost?
Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek publishes $2,150/week for the standard session. Cost is $4,300 for a 15-day trek, which is approximately 2 weeks. Scholarships are available. The cost includes 4 college credits. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek's hours?
Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek runs of operation: Overnight. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Is Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek accredited?
Yes — Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 95 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek?
Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 95 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek provide lunch?
Yes — Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
Does Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek offer transportation?
Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek provides transportation. Coverage zones and bus stops vary; ask for the route map for the summer you're enrolling in. Some camps fold bus fees into tuition, others bill separately.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Cottonwood Gulch Paleontology Trek with other camps.