Ponil is one of the staffed backcountry camps on Philmont Scout Ranch, a Boy Scouts of America high-adventure base in New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Crews reach it on foot as part of 7-, 9-, or 12-day backpacking treks, and Ponil's program is built around western lore, with horseback riding, roping, and a cantina. It serves registered Scouts and Venturers who are 14, or who have completed 8th grade and are at least 13. This is an overnight wilderness expedition, not a drop-off day camp.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Ponil Camp directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★Chris RouleauFun show at night. Chuck wagon dinner! Root Beer at the cantina!!
★★★Brian LeechPonil is ponil - it's way too busy, although root beer is nice.
★★★★★Wally MeesFire this summer, so no campers, but Ponil is still beautiful. Wait til 2019!
★★★★★Joey PaugaVery authentic to its time period. The trading Post has good camping items for the crews that pass there. The camp fire program is fun and well done by the Philmont staff members. They also sell root beer that apparently is homemade. I had some but I'm not a root beer aficionado so it tasted like the regular root beer that we get at stores. This was the original base camp.
★★★★★Ron FeldmanOne of the must stop camps in the north country. It has a lot of great activities. Horseback riding, cowboy action shooting, and lassoing. The camp has a fully stocked trading post, snacks and cold root beer at the La Cantina, hot showers, chuck wagon dinner, buckwheat pancakes for breakfast and the staff puts on a fine evening program. Ponil was certainly one of the highlights of our Philmont trek.