Best Campgrounds near Howard, CO

Looking for the best campgrounds near Howard, CO? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Colorado camping has to offer. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Howard, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Howard, Colorado (282)

    1. Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek

    10 Reviews
    Coaldale, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 942-4222

    $60 - $300 / night

    "Close to everything you need but you will feel away from it all."

    "Our family and another reserved two sites next to each other. The pools on site were perfect for the kids. On site mini golf was a blast. The views in the campground were awesome."

    2. Sugarbush Campground

    7 Reviews
    Howard, CO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 942-3363

    ".  really friendly staff, clean facilities, and very close to Salida! Was a perfect weekend."

    "The creek that runs through the sites drown out any highway noise. Easy 5 minute run to fishing access. Very family friendly."

    3. Rincon Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

    8 Reviews
    Howard, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 539-7289

    $28 / night

    "This is a lovely, well maintained campground next to the Arkansas River. There is a boat launch and vault toilets (clean). There are no frills, but it is a peaceful setting."

    "Basic campground surrounded by beauty nice lake"

    4. Salida East Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Salida, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 539-7289

    $28 / night

    "This campsite is a couple miles outside of Salida. Along the river it offers beautiful views and immediate access to the river. The camp host is friendly and the campsite is very well maintained."

    "This CPW campground is right off Highway 50 and is easy to pull in and out with a trailer. For how busy the campground sites and roads are, the campground is surprisingly quiet."

    5. Hayden Creek Road

    7 Reviews
    Coaldale, CO
    6 miles
    Website

    $22 / night

    "Tent camped in the dispersed area because Hayden creek was full, near Rainbow trailhead, entire area to ourselves 98% of the time besides two groups of hikers over 2 nights almost 3 days."

    "It had everything we needed: plenty of shade, the creek rolling by right next to us. I loved falling asleep to the sound of the water."

    6. Valley View Hot Springs—Orient Land Trust - CLOTHING OPTIONAL

    11 Reviews
    Villa Grove, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 256-4315

    "The camp sites were simple but great and you have total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen."

    7. Hayden Creek Roadside Camp

    4 Reviews
    Coaldale, CO
    6 miles

    "level, shaded, right by nice size creek. perfect for exploring and quiet. we were in tent but saw several largeRV. some traffic but never heard another person. were a few spots right next to us but we"

    "Quite a few flat tent spots right by the creek although there are boulders from preventing you from driving too far into the woods."

    8. Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area

    16 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    18 miles
    Website

    "If you ever been to any of the BLM camping locations around Salida, Mt. Shavano is not anything different."

    "It was easy to find and close to the highway.

    The road was pretty good but got a bit bumpy as we got closer but still not a problem with our trailer."

    9. Salida North BLM

    22 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    20 miles
    Website

    "Within 20 minutes of driving you have multiple Colorado 14ers to hike, amazing fishing, miles of mountain biking trails and 2 amazing towns with great places to eat or grab a beer. "

    "Beautiful surroundings, picnic tables, fire rings. I gave it a 4 because of annoying rig running generator and a little highway noise."

    10. Hecla Junction Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

    21 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 539-7289

    $28 / night

    "The campground is north of Salida Colorado on the Arkansas River. This is the busy spot at the end of the commercial river rafting run."

    "Beautiful in its location, there were site improvements several years ago, which are nice and still hold true in 2023. (level tent pads, delineated sites, etc.)"

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Recent Reviews near Howard, CO

1450 Reviews of 282 Howard Campgrounds


  • Trish M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Alvarado Campground

    Peaceful & quiet

    We've stayed here 3 times now and absolutely love it! We've stayed at campsite 36 and 41. 41 is our favorite. It has plenty of space and a nice creek running near it. We felt secluded. Hiking trail was not far from us.

  • Trish M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping

    Peaceful

    Arrived late as usual amd the road was definitely a bumpy one. Didn't think we were going to find a spot. Found a pull in for the night, then sped out the area the next morning, and thank goodness we found a different spot. It was very spacious and had a pretty view. Took a hike up to Browns Creek falls and it was well worth the 7 mile round trip hike. Would go again.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Aspen Acres Campground

    Water from the hookup was disgusting

    All fine for a night except we filled our tank with the most disgusting undrinkable water imaginable. I’d not come back for that reason.

  • Nathaniel F.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Crestone Needle Trail

    Good Sandy Camp Spot

    This place was a nice spot for dispersed camping! Lots of spots, and super easy to find just off the road. A bit sandy, but the soil underneath worked for stakes. The temp was cool, but not cold—great for early September!

  • M
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Phantom Canyon Road BLM Sites

    Stunning views

    Stunning views of the canyon and great star gazing. Just get there on a weekday or all of the off the road spots will be taken up.

  • John M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Buffalo Springs Dispersed

    Everything but a view

    There are plenty of spots and plenty of distance between them. The only complaint is that there is no view and nothing to see. Would definitely stay again, though.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Browns Creek

    Not bad

    Pros:

    1. Easy access (we drove an Elantra here)
    2. Beautiful views of the mountains.
    3. Cows grazing around our campsite in the morning (it was adorable).
    4. Good places to hang up a hammock.
    5. Sites were spaced out really well.

    Cons:

    1. Noisy neighbors (a gamble when camping anywhere near RVs).
    2. Dirty campground. The previous people left trash in the fire pit and TONS of unburied toilet paper in the woods very close to the campsite (which my friend and I cleaned up. You’re welcome).
  • Morgan L.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site

    Great for a quick camp session

    I absolutely loved everything. It was easy to locate, it was a beautiful set up, the views were amazing, spaces were plentiful. The only thing I personally wasn’t too found of was the amount of dogs barking all night. But that’s the campers fault, not the sites.


Guide to Howard

Camping near Howard, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails nearby, perfect for exploring the beautiful Colorado landscape. Campers at Turtle Rock Campground rave about the hiking opportunities, with one reviewer noting, "There are plenty of places to hike and explore and close to BV as well."
  • Mountain Biking: If you enjoy biking, the area is known for its great mountain biking trails. A visitor at Ruby Mountain Campground mentioned, "It’s beautiful camping spot with easy access to tons of different outdoor activities."
  • Fishing: The Arkansas River is nearby, making it a great spot for fishing. Campers at Hecla Junction Campground appreciate the river access, with one saying, "It's a sweet place to camp right on the Arkansas River."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Many campers enjoy the breathtaking views. A reviewer at East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge said, "The campsites were all well maintained and several had great views of Canon City."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and well-maintained sites are a big plus. One camper at Browns Creek noted, "This isn’t one of those horribly loud OHV spots... Clean vault toilet @ Brown Creek TH."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the welcoming vibe. A visitor at BV Overlook shared, "The camp staff was all very friendly."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Turtle Rock Campground, don’t have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper mentioned, "Even the pit toilet was clean and well stocked with toilet paper."
  • First-Come, First-Served: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A reviewer at East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge said, "FCFS but people moved in and out daily."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Salida North BLM shared, "Very quiet stay with few visitors except for the mountain goats who were just as curious of us as we were of them."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby trails and open spaces. A parent at Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA mentioned, "Lots of great stuff for kids. Slide, playground, mini golf."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on younger kids, especially near water. A camper at Hecla Junction Campground advised, "Practice bear-wise safety."
  • Bring Your Own Supplies: Some campgrounds don’t provide firewood or water. A visitor at Ruby Mountain Campground noted, "Make sure you stop in town and buy your own wood."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at BV Overlook said, "Each site is quite spacious and each has a picnic table and fire pit with a grill top."
  • Leveling Blocks: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. A camper at Colorado Cascade Campground mentioned, "Some of the RV/trailer sites are uneven."
  • Cell Service: Be aware that cell service can be spotty. A visitor at East Ridge Campground in Royal Gorge noted, "T-mobile wasn’t great there."

Camping near Howard, Colorado, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping sites in Howard County?

Howard County offers diverse camping opportunities. Sugarbush Campground is conveniently located near Howard and provides drive-in access. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Road 240 - Dispersed offers wooded sites with river access. The area also features several dispersed camping options along forest service roads that provide peaceful settings away from crowds. Most camping areas are accessible from late spring through early fall, with high-elevation sites typically snow-free from June through September.

What amenities are available at Howard County campgrounds?

Amenities vary widely across Howard County campgrounds. Riverside RV Park offers riverside campsites with the soothing sounds of the Arkansas River, ideal for RVers seeking water access. Ohaver Lake Campground provides lakeside sites with excellent trout fishing. Most established campgrounds feature fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Dispersed camping areas typically offer minimal amenities—just beautiful scenery and privacy. Some campgrounds have potable water during peak season, but it's always wise to bring your own, especially at primitive sites.

Do I need reservations for camping in Howard County?

Reservation requirements vary across Howard County camping areas. Rincon Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area requires reservations through Colorado Parks & Wildlife (800-244-5613 or cpwshop.com). Hecla Junction Campground also operates on a reservation system. For dispersed camping areas like 228A Dispersed Campsite, no reservations are needed, but these operate on a first-come, first-served basis. During peak summer months and holidays, securing reservations for established campgrounds is highly recommended, especially on weekends.