Specialty Wilderness Pack Trips

Youth Trips: We offer supervised wilderness trips specially designed for youth groups, including church, school, college, and scouts. This is a wonderful opportunity for kids of all ages to explore and enjoy the Gila Wilderness. Kids will be able to experience horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and learning about the ecosystems that make up the area. They will learn to appreciate the natural world around them and discover the vast communities of living things found in the wilderness. Be assured that your child's well-being is of utmost importance, and we diligently enforce safety.

For scouts, this type of trip offers many opportunities to earn merit badges.

A group of people on horses in the grass.
A bird with two yellow beaks sitting on top of a tree.

Bird Watching Adventure

This is a unique wilderness adventure that gives bird watchers an opportunity to pursue their interests. Because the Gila is in a transition zone of desert and alpine mountain ecosystems, many species of birds can be found here. Biologists have identified over 280 bird species in the Gila Wilderness, including birds of prey, jays, quail, hummingbirds, meadowlarks, blackbirds, sparrows, swallows and martins, goldfinches, tanagers, warblers, grosbeaks, woodpeckers and flycatchers. You will find each day enjoyable with activities that also include horseback riding, hiking, and photography. The Gila Bird Checklist from the USDA Forest Service is available as an Adobe PDF. Also, visit the Southwest New Mexico Audubon Society for birding information in the Gila.

Discovering Butterflies

This wilderness trip is specially designed for the butterfly enthusiast. You will find vast opportunities to identify and observe the many species of butterflies that live in the Gila Wilderness, such as the Painted Lady, Mourning Cloak, and the Western Swallowtail. The Gila Wilderness is the perfect place for professional and amateur lepidopterists.

A butterfly is sitting on the leaves of a tree.
A group of people sitting around a fire pit.

Ladies Pack Trips

Ladies can enjoy a wilderness adventure in the company of other women. This popular trip will take you to some of the most remote areas of the Gila Wilderness and will give you the opportunity to experience the outdoors without any of the pressures of men. You will be accompanied by a female guide and will experience the wilderness by horseback riding over scenic trails, hiking, and peaceful relaxation. Evening campfires for tall tales and discussions complete each day. Whether you are retreating or adventuring, you can relish the fun and supportive atmosphere of an all-women's group.

East Fork Cabin Trip

Experience a magnificent wilderness excursion with a two or three-day weekend "get-away" in the comfort of a mountain cabin located on the East Fork of the Gila. It is the perfect vacation for a family or group who has limited time but would still like a glimpse of the awesome beauty of the Gila Wilderness.

Call or E-mail us today to book your reservation

A group of people sitting at tables outside of a cabin.