Traditional Treks 2024 • 12-Day, 9-Day, and 7-Day

12-Day, 9-Day, and 7-Day Backpacking Treks
Philmont’s core and renowned traditional backpacking treks provide an unforgettable adventure in backpacking across miles of rugged, rocky trails. Programs feature the best of the old west—horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, chuckwagon dinners, and interpretive history—with exciting challenges for today such as rock climbing, mountain biking, and sport shooting. It’s an unbeatable recipe for fast-paced fun in the outdoors.

12-Day Treks
As the traditional backpacking trek at Philmont, 12-day treks give crews the opportunity to hike for 10 days in the backcountry, with an arrival/departure day in Base Camp on each end of the journey. Crews will be welcomed and accompanied by a Philmont Ranger for their first 3 days and will participate in program activities throughout their trek. 12-day crews cover 50-120 miles over the course of their trek and also complete the 3 hours of conservation work necessary to earn the Philmont Arrowhead Patch.

Program Cost: $1,575 (2024)— $1,675 (2025)

9-Day Treks
9-day treks are an opportunity for crews to spend a couple more days in the backcountry than they would on a 7-day trek. With a couple more days to acclimate and hike, 9-day crews will have the chance to fit in more hiking and more programs. Crews will be welcomed and accompanied by a Philmont Ranger for their first 3 days and will participate in program activities throughout their trek. 9-day crews will complete the 3 hours of conservation work necessary to earn the Philmont Arrowhead Patch.

Program Cost: $1,460 (2024)— $1,560 (2025)

7-Day Treks
These treks are shorter, but no less adventurous. Crews on 7-day treks will hike for 5 days in the backcountry, with an arrival/departure day in Base Camp on each end of the journey. Crews will be welcomed and accompanied by a Philmont Ranger for their first 3 days and will participate in program activities throughout their trek. 7-day treks include the 3 hours of conservation work necessary to earn the Philmont Arrowhead Patch.

Program Cost: $1,235 (2024)— $1,335 (2025)

Trek Match System
Do you need another crew member or advisor for an upcoming trek? The new Trek Match feature on Camping Gateway will provide you with information about crews currently seeking members and sign you up for updates as future spots in crews become available.

Watch this video to learn more about how the Trek Match works.

Register for a Trek – 2024

Register: By crew

Season: Summer

Age: 14 or 13 and have completed 8th grade

Crew Size: 8-12, including adult leadership

Leadership: 2 adult leaders per crew required minimum, 4 adult leaders maximum

Registration: October/November, 18 months prior to trek