PLAYA Experience: PLAYA Rocks! The Geology of PLAYA’s Landscape (October 22-26, 2026)

The October landscape of PLAYA! In this 4-night Experience led by geologist Jim O’Connor, enjoy a field trip focused on the geology of the northern Great Basin, plus geology discussions and a dinner prepared by PLAYA’s house chef. 

Be introduced to this dynamic landscape and its geologic history as we experience the “science of scenery” in the low golden light of fall. Through field trips and discussions, this weekend will briefly acquaint participants with the spectacularly rich and scenic convergence of geologic history, climate change, and the ice-age peopling of western North America–all in the area surrounding PLAYA. Discussions will cover the regional geologic history as well as how geologists decipher landscape clues to create understanding of landscape form, history, and process. 

Depending on weather and interests, we’ll visit such places as Fort Rock (where volcano met lake), Picture Rock Pass, Ice-age lake sediments and shorelines at Ana Reservoir, and the Paisley Caves (an early North American lakeside camp). Participants will be carpooling to geology sites in personal vehicles. Plenty of unstructured time will provide participants a chance to ponder, explore, and perhaps create your own stories.

PLAYA Experiences offer you time and space on the PLAYA campus for your own creative, restful, or exploratory pursuits as well as time spent learning from an expert! Experiences are like Self-Directed Residencies, but elevated with a dinner and a field trip, evening presentation, and/or special event.

🦅 Extend your stay at PLAYA by pairing this Experience with the October 15-19 Self-Directed Residency and stay at PLAYA for free the nights in between (a stay from October 15 to 26).

Click each cabin below for the full workshop agenda and details, and cabin descriptions.

Cancellation policy: $50 cancellation fee. Six or less days before arrival NO refund; seven-14 days before arrival 50% refund; 15-28 days before 75% refund.