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Abstract
Philmont Scout Ranch is a 137,000 acre cattle ranch and recreation area owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America located in northeastern New Mexico. Designated campgrounds consisting of several individual campsites exist throughout the Ranch. During the summer of 2008, 32 campsites were selected to be part of a baseline campsite condition monitoring study. The campsites were selected using a stratified sample based on vegetation types. A rapid estimation monitoring procedure was developed based on a system created for the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana (Cole 1989a). A weighted index system was used to rate the physical condition of each sampled campsite. The results indicate a broad spectrum of impacts within campsites at Philmont. Of 32 campsites sampled, 13 (40.6%) were in good condition, 9 (28.1%) were in fair condition, and 10 (31.3%) were in poor condition.
