Gammons Gulch Movie Set and Museum AND Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary -- Tuesday 3/31/2026
Trip Cost $30
IMPORTANT CHANGES:
Gammons Gulch. We'll take a trip back in time to the days of the old west as you walk down the streets of an old west town.
Gammons Gulch, a western town and movie set, was built by Jay and Joanne Gammons. It includes a saloon, blacksmith shop, jail, assay office, church, gallows, barber shop, and much more. The buildings are not just facades; they are actual buildings with vintage furniture, dishes, lightning, tools, etc. from the territorial era. It is truly a museum.
Gammons Gulch has served as a setting for many western movies, western-themed weddings and other events, with the surroundings and settings meeting the specifications of the actual decor of the time.
We will start with a self-guided tour of the town after which you'll be able to take photos of the interior and exterior settings at your leisure. Pictures may be taken for personal use only.
A little imagination is all you need to complete this memorable "step back in time" experience. You'll marvel at the detail and authenticity that went into the building of this movie set and museum.
Note: Due to lack of availability, western actors will not be a part of the field trip this year.
There is no food served at Gammons Gulch so bring water and a lunch. You can eat lunch in the saloon or outside in a nice picnic area.
It is highly suggested that you wear closed-toed shoes, brimmed hats, use sunscreen, and bring bottled water.
Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary. After lunch we will take a 2–3-minute drive to Forever Home. The Sanctuary has provided a loving home for donkeys since 1998. Many of these intelligent & beautiful animals have health issues because of neglect in their past. Others are in their 20s and 30s, requiring extra care and special feeds to keep them healthy.
The donkeys are roaming on 10 acres, and you can take pictures to your heart's content. If the donkeys don't want to come see you, you can walk within the Sanctuary to see them. If you have trouble walking, the Sanctuary will take you to them on a four-wheeler bike. Caretakers will be available to answer any questions and tell you the donkeys' stories--if you could understand what the donkeys have to say. The tour will last about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Contact Danny Valenzuela at 602-568-5759 or dvsundevil@gmail.com with any questions.
Meet at the Photography Club at 8:15 AM for departure/carpooling at 8:30 AM to Gammons Gulch. GVR is requiring that every person participating in club's field trips sign a waiver absolving GVR of any liability. You will be required to sign the waiver at the Photography Club before the trip departs if you haven't already done so. We expect to leave the Donkey Sanctuary at approximately 3 pm.
If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.
Last refund date is March 24, 2026.
NOTICE:
Be sure to have your GVR card with you for each and every field trip. Without it, you won't be allowed to go on the trip. No refunds will be granted for failure to comply with this requirement. To protect GVR and club member benefits, GVR has implemented a new process that requires each field trip participant to come into the club and scan his/her GVR card to confirm eligibility. We no longer have the option of typing in your name or GVR number – only the physical GVR card will do.
All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.
The club strives to provide several field trips specifically designed for members with physical limitations.
In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.
The GVR Photography Club is located in the Recreation Village of Santa Rita Springs.