Camping & Operations
Philmont Scout Ranch provides an unforgettable adventure along its hundreds of miles of rugged, rocky trails. Program features combine the best of the Old West—horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, chuckwagon dinners, and interpretive history—with exciting challenges for today—rock climbing, burro racing, mountain biking, and rifle shooting—in an unbeatable recipe for fast-moving outdoor fun.
The most successful Philmont expeditions require many months of planning.
View guidelines for crews, health and medical requirements and youth adult requirements
Traveling to and from Philmont is an important part of the high-adventure experience. Most contingents will find transportation the largest expense in the budget, so it's important to study the various travel options before making a final decision.
The most successful crews that hike the trails at Philmont spend months preparing
Upon your arrival at Philmont, your crew will check in and prepare to hit the trail. Here is a list of the tasks you will need to accomplish.
Philmont Cavalcades are similar to regular expeditions except that, instead of hiking, crews ride horses through the rugged mountain wilderness.
In addition to regular expeditions for crews of seven to 12 members, Philmont offers several programs that are available to individuals and smaller groups.
While Philmont is best known for its popular summer programs, the Scout ranch is open year-round, providing high-adventure expeditions through the Autumn Adventure and Winter Adventure programs.
Philmont is a magnificent wilderness camping area with an immense network of trails and camps tied together by service roads designed for service and protection of both campers and land.
These tips and techniques, developed from the experiences of staff and campers, are provided to make your Philmont experience safer and more enjoyable.