philmont scout ranch

If a scout or scout leader wants to really experience what scouting is all about, this is the place to be. It's truly the ultimate Scouting experience. I've been fortunate to have chaperoned four different groups of scouts on four separate treks. Every trek was different and exciting. It was so special and rewarding to see the scouts be faced with and solve real challenges on their own. However, the key to enjoying your trek, is to get everyone in shape and practice all camping skills BEFORE going. I occasionally have had a scout or leader who was not in shape and they struggled to complete the trek or actually had to be pulled off of the trek. Philmont is at a high elevation and oxygen is thinner, so breathing is harder. So preparation and physical conditioning are very important. I always made sure to take the scouts on several weekend hikes with loaded packs and then would camp out to practice the camping skills necessary for surviving Philmont. If you are prepared, Philmont is an experience you will love and will never forget. As I use to tell the scouts, It's not a walk in the park, it's much more ... it's an ADVENTURE!

Take the time to visit the Phillips Villa, this is the original summer home of the family that gave the land to the Boy Scouts for Philmont. Tours are at 10 and 2, tickets can be purchased at the Scout Museum and Library. Tour takes about an hour.

Just returned from a 70-mile 11-day 'hike' with our boy scout troop. This type of hiking should be considered a challenge and not a vacation as it was real work. Dusty, high(er) altitude, potential bear and mountain lion visits, sometimes difficult but always beautiful hiking. There were times during the trek when I'm seriously thinking what the hell am I doing hear and an equal number of times when it was truly awesome experience with my son. Suggestions and thoughts:1. Get in shape! I saw a few adults (and kids too) that were being pulled off the mountain because they couldn't deal with the strenuous high altitude trekking. I am a older dad (56) and I spent a solid 6 months prior to the hike getting in much better cadio shape and losing about 30- pounds.2. Pack light! Rent, borrow or buy light weight and ultra-lightweight gear (focus on the main gear first...backpack, tent, sleeping system). Plenty of on-line articles and blogs on ultra-light backpacking. Take only what you absolutely need. I spent a few hundred dollars on new (used) lightweight pack, tent, water bottles, etc. I keep clothing to an absolute minimum. Without food and water my 'base weight' with personal and troop gear was 21 pounds. Not ultralight but not bad.3. We did the 11-day but they offer 7-day excursions also. In hindsight 7- would have been ideal. 4. Go with people you like and who are easygoing. I met several troops where either the adults or the kids were at each others throats after only a few days on the trail.Final thoughts - Am I glad I went...Absolutely...would I go again....hard to say.

Great place to take a family to see Philmont and receive training. The accommodations are simple but good. There are programs for adults and children, as well as a family day. Great times and highly recommended.

Just returned from 90+ miles of hiking and adventure at the Philmont Scout Ranch. The crew performed well and the staff at Philmont was excellent as always.

Philmont offers two week backpacking trips for Boy Scouts and Venturers. The highest point on the ranch is 12,400 foot Baldy Mountain. Backcountry camps offer great programs to campers, with staff members trained in the area you visit.

I've been to Philmont as a Scout and I have worked on the ranch as a Ranger. This reivew is for the public access areas that people in the area on vacation can enjoy. Base camp offers the Tooth of Time Traders which is a world class outdoor gear shop. It has everything you need to hit the trail. There is a museum and library across the street which is always worth the walk. A short walk away is the Villa which has daily tours. The summer home of the Philips's, it is a must see. Down the road away from philmont to the south is the Kit Carson museum. Get a taste of what it was like to live on the Santa Fe trail!

PTC makes a great destination to hone your Scouting skills but also enjoy the museums and Tooth of Time Traders outdoor store. Lots of fun programs for kids of all ages as well as spouses. Food is great with many options and a staff that will accommodate nearly any request. Tent city has newer large wall tents, nearly new shower houses that rival some hotels with individual and family bathrooms, an office/gathering place in each tent city, state of the art classrooms, 24 hr laundry, amazing craft center and much more. Easy access to tents and facilities with some accessible tents. The staff, mostly youth, rival Disney in their attitude and desire to please and make your stay a great one. Shuttles run from major locations.

I have completed 2 treks at Philmont. Its now been almost 15yrs later (1997 & 1999), and I have still yet to top any experience, than when I experienced hiking through beautiful scenery, experiencing stars at night like never before seen, and wildlife up close, and personal. We chose 9 day treks, 1 trip was just under 90 miles, and the other was approx 112 miles. We saw a brown bear, experienced hypothermia (by getting stuck in a hail storm on top of a Black Mountain wearing very little clothing), got bit by a brown recluse spider, and it was STILL the best trip I have been on. I even sprained my ankle on my second trek, and it was still worth it.The rangers were amazing. We met a Eurpean gentleman named Neehar, who was originally from the Middle East. He taught us french words, and dispensed interesting facts while ensuring our survival.Make sure you stop at Abreu for Root beer, Baldy Town, Ponil, and Cimmaroncito!

While a visit to the Villa Philmonte, Seton Museum, or the Scout Center, the majesty and beauty of Philmont is best experienced by backpacking and hiking its backcountry and mountain peaks.

Drove from Taos through the Canyon to Cimarron so that my husband could see Philmont. It was worth the drive. Beautiful!! What a great story. Very nice museum. I would think that this would mean more to Boy Scouts, but enjoyed it very much.

This place holds the adventure(s) of a lifetime. As someone who has the triple crown, I can tell you that Philmont is THE place to go for your first high adventure experience. The beautiful scenery and challenging terrain make for an experience you won't soon forget. I liked it so much, I went again three years later!

We were visiting Philmont Scout Ranch, where I went as a youth 53 years ago. We were pleased to see the museum and library. They have a really nice collection of Scouting memorabilia and a nice video program on the history of the Philmont Scout Ranch. We were surprised that over 23,000 Boy Scouts and their families still come and adventure on the ranch. If you just need a restroom, they are available too. There is a trading post if you want to buy something. It's just four miles outside of Cimmaron. The drive over to Red River is just drop dead gorgeous.

My wife and 11 month old son visited Philmont in early September 2013 while visiting the area. I had trekked through Philmont in 2000, and '03, and worked staff for '04, '05, and '06. My wife had worked for the summer of 2006. That being said Philmont has held a special place in our hearts. If you are in the area and not affiliated with a backcountry trek or even Boy Scouts, Philmont is still worth a visit. There is plenty to do and see including The Tooth of Time Traders which is a legitimate outfitter. Take a tour of Camping Headquarters and see what tens of thousands of boys and girls each year from across the country and world dream of visiting. The Philmont Museum which includes the Seton Memorial Library has an impressive display of art and historic photos of the area. On the Training Center side of the property is the incredible Villa Philmonte. It is a great tour which includes information about Waite Phillips and his generosity to the Boy Scouts. Finally, on the south side of the property several miles south on Hwy 21 is Rayado, which is an absolute must stop if you have any interest in Kit Carson and/or the Santa Fe Trail. Again, stop by Philmont even if you are not participating in a trek!

We visited the Kit Carson Museum in Rayado during Labor Day Weekend 2013. The Museum is not to be mistaken for the one in Taos, and is located just past the Philmont Scout Ranch going south on highway 21 from Cimarron,NM. We had an amazing tour and educational and humanitarian experience. The Museum is free and operated by the Philmont Scout Ranch and their leadership. On our visit, we met James L. in period clothing doing some blacksmith work. As a seasoned Eagle Scout and Philmont Camp Leader in his 20s originally from Washington, D.C., he expertly greeted us and provided an informative and interactive tour of Kit Carson's home and the fort it became. Although he is scheduled to leave this post this month, the museum and the way in which Philmont conducts the museum is on par with visiting Mount Vernon or Monticello Virginia. And Philmont leadership has enterred the first of a multi-year commitment to restoration of the area/structures that no doubt will provide a rewarding experience with each visit.The opportunity to visit a "living" museum into which you can step in and witness it functioning close to how it likely was 130 years ago is a real educational and humanity-developing experience. The area also is beautiful and rich with tales from the "Wild West" that might surprise you.Highly recommended.