Traveling to Philmont

Traveling to and from Philmont is an important part of the high-adventure experience. Most contingents will find transportation to be the largest expense in the budget, so it’s important to research various travel options before making a final decision.

Local Map

Philmont Scout Ranch is in northeastern New Mexico, near the town of Cimarron, which is between Albuquerque and Denver, Colorado. View this map of northeastern New Mexico for a more precise location of the ranch.

Arrival and Departure Dates

The ideal time to arrive at Philmont is prior to lunch on your scheduled arrival day. That enables your crew to process and outfit in Camping Headquarters and to depart for the trail the following day. Each Philmont expedition concludes after breakfast on day 13, and crews depart on that day.

Important: Scheduled Expeditions will have priority for base camp accommodations over groups arriving early or departing late. All early arrivals/late departures will be assigned trail tents for lodging unless space is available in regular 7’ x 9’ wall tents on platforms with cots. (Note: space is very limited and is not released for early/late groups until late in the day. Please plan to stay in trail tents.) The charge for additional meals is $8 per person/per meal and extra lodging is $15 per person/per night. All layovers are limited to one night either on arrival or departure. See our list of accommodations for some options.

Methods of Transportation

Private vehicles should be used only with full assurance vehicles are safe and drivers are reliable. Make sure there is adequate insurance coverage for each vehicle.

Many crews have found public carriers to provide a reliable form of transportation to the ranch. Here are some of the most common modes of transportation:

  • Chartered or private vehicles directly from your town to Philmont Contact a local transportation company or travel agency to make arrangements. 
  • Airlines to Denver, Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, or Pueblo When making reservations, inquire about supplemental chartered airline services offering packaged plans with reduced group rates.
  • Train to Denver or Raton Note: There is no ticket agent in Raton, but the train does stop for ticketed passengers. 

For crews traveling by air or train, it will be necessary to use another method of transportation to arrive in Cimarron or Raton; a list of travel companies serving Philmont is provided for your convenience.

Philmont provides round-trip bus transportation to and from the bus and train stations in Raton, NM at a cost of $55.00 per person (subject to change) and to Cimarron, NM at a cost of $15.00 per person. Buses are scheduled upon entering your Arrival Plans through the Camping Gateway.

Travel Etiquette

Scouts and Venturers are respected nationwide because of how they travel and appear to public. To maintain a positive appearance and good public image, follow this advice:

  • Wear your Scout or Venturing proudly! You are members of the Boy Scouts of America, a highly regarded youth organization. A Scout or Venturer properly uniformed, sharp appearing, courteous, and well mannered is the best medium for public relations. 
  • Use the buddy system; no one person ever leave the group alone. 
  • Telephone ahead to your next day’s stopping place. It is inconsiderate to drop in or cancel without adequate notification. 
  • Do not use tobacco in public. It may be offensive to those around you.
  • Express appreciation to those who extend courtesies to you along the way. 

Emergency Transportation

Philmont will assist with transportation arrangements that result from a family emergency (death or serious illness) that occurs during an expedition and required a participant to return home, or if a participant must return home for medical reasons. Participants will be required to reimburse Philmont for any transportations services provided, including transportation to a required airport. 

Shipping Gear

Depending on your method of transportation to Philmont, it may be more cost-effective to ship your gear or pieces of gear to Philmont ahead of time. Your complete Expedition Number is essential for mail delivery at Philmont.

Incoming mail may be picked up only by your Expedition Advisor or Crew Leader at the Philmont Mail Room when your crew arrives at Philmont and when you return to Camping Headquarters from the trail.

UPS/USPS/FedEx
Your Name, Expedition Number
47 Caballo Rd
Cimarron, NM 87714

Freight
Philmont Commissary ATTN: Receiving
Your Name, Expedition Number
17 Deer Run Rd
Cimarron, NM 87714

Please keep in mind that we are remote in terms of carriers.  Please allow adequate time for delivery. 

Freight: We’ll receive FedEx Freight and RAC transport 1-2 times per week.  Many carriers such as UPS will interline with one of these two carriers.  Once your freight is received we will hold it at the warehouse and transport it to the Philmont Mail Room at CHQ on your arrival day.  On your arrival day, your Ranger will help you navigate the check-in process and you will be able to open up the pallet yourselves.  If it is a reusable container then we will bring it back to the commissary and hold until your crew comes off of the trail. Before shipment, please share your Bill of Lading for both receiving and pickup with us via email (philmont.commissary@scouting.org)so that we can anticipate its arrival.  You can also share your arrival and departure dates with us so that we can add its transport to the mailroom to our delivery schedule. You may list 575-376-2281 as an alternate contact.