High adventure bases
The four national bases every Scouts BSA troop plans a trip around, and a map of the council camps closer to home.
National high adventure bases
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Philmont Scout Ranch
Cimarron, New Mexico
Backpacking treks of 7 to 12 days through 140,000 acres of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The one most Scouts mean when they say "high adventure." Minimum age 14, or 13 and finished eighth grade.
Official site -
Northern Tier
Ely, Minnesota, and Canada
Canoe treks through the Boundary Waters and Quetico, plus the Okpik winter camping program. Paddling, portaging, and a week without a road.
Official site -
Florida Sea Base
Islamorada, Florida Keys
Sailing, scuba, fishing, and coral reef programs out of the Keys and the Bahamas. The base with the shortest packing list.
Official site -
Summit Bechtel Reserve
Glen Jean, West Virginia
Home of the National Jamboree. Climbing, zip lines, BMX, skateboarding, whitewater, and shooting sports on 14,000 acres in the New River Gorge.
Official site