304 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Howard, Colorado include a mix of established campgrounds, dispersed sites, and cabin facilities stretching along the Arkansas River corridor. Sugarbush Campground directly in Howard provides tent and RV camping with full hookups, while nearby Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area offers multiple developed campgrounds like Rincon and Salida East with various accommodation types. Several properties feature cabin rentals, including Cutty's Resort near Coaldale, approximately 7 miles southwest of Howard. The region supports both primitive camping on public lands and amenity-rich options with showers, electric hookups, and sewer connections.
Road conditions and access vary considerably throughout the region depending on location and elevation. Most established campgrounds like Sugarbush are accessible via Highway 50, while dispersed sites such as Hayden Creek Roadside Camp require navigating less-maintained forest roads. Many campgrounds in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area operate year-round but take reservations primarily from April through October. Facilities range from basic (vault toilets only) to comprehensive with showers and hookups. Highway noise can be a factor at several riverside locations, particularly at Rincon Campground. According to one visitor, "The road is right behind you so it's good for one night. Went swimming in the river and it was glorious."
Campers consistently rate waterfront locations among their favorite aspects of camping in this area. Sites along the Arkansas River provide opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming while offering scenic mountain views. Several visitors mention the peaceful setting despite occasional highway noise, with one noting that "sites are close together but very nice and level, plus there isn't large gravel which is a lot easier on the tent." The Salida area serves as a convenient basecamp for outdoor recreation, with a visitor describing Sugarbush as a "great basecamp" with "so much to do in this area." Campgrounds farther from the highway tend to offer more solitude but may have fewer amenities. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer months.
"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."
from $60 - $300 / night
Check Availability"Next to highway and close to Salida. Site is next to the river and decent for an overnight stay as a stopover. Otherwise it's fairly basic. Pads are nice and even and well kept."
"Right next to the river. You can hear the traffic from the highway unfortunately but its not terrible."
from $28 - $90 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Creek steps away from wooded private spot! Only issue is there were locals up all night till 1:30 am with flashlights beaming into site which kind of scared me."
"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."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $28 / night
Check Availability"It's tucked away but close to the main road. It feels peaceful and secluded. It's close to Salida. The river is steps away and we had a blast fishing steps from our campsite. "
"New owners and a great staff had made this a special place Had a beautiful river site Only campground on the other side of the river away from the HWY Enjoyed watching folks fly fish and the shade was"
"Sites are really close to the creek, which made for great white noise and easy water access. Restroom was close by and kept clean. Road in is dirt but easy to navigate for most vehicles."
"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"
"Great location, close to Salida and hiking & biking trails. "
"The resort is modern with all new and clean amenities, the staff is responsive to emails and very friendly in person, and the location is convenient to Salida and the activities of the area. "
from $73 - $144 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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.)"
from $28 / night
Check Availability
ScoutGreat place at end of a well grated dirt road- our site was amazing! Creek steps away from wooded private spot! Only issue is there were locals up all night till 1:30 am with flashlights beaming into site which kind of scared me. Also other person there was kind of sketchy. We went mid week.
TravelerNew owners and a great staff had made this a special place
Had a beautiful river site
Only campground on the other side of the river away from the HWY
Enjoyed watching folks fly fish and the shade was welcomed
Hope to return
TravelerWe arrived on a Wednesday in the hopes of having a good pick of dispersed sites. The reviews are accurate, the sites on the left of road are more level, the sites on the right are mostly for tents . We ended up with a great site, on the left. Bonus: sites on the left are next to the creek and it drowned out almost all sounds of nearby neighbors. We were willing to stay at the Cottonwood Lake campground if the sites were on the lake, but the campground is not on the lake so we opted for dispersed sites just past the campgrounds. The lake itself (Cottonwood Lake) is fabulous, there is no big parking lot, or large grassy area at all so you can’t fit many vehicles at the lake, making it impossible for it to get crowded (no motor crafts allowed). The no crowds made it AMAZING. There are 2 porta potties at the lake, but there was no up keep on them the entire time we were there (Wed -Sun), so be advised bring your own TP. We will def go back to the dispersed camping on the creek side. Also, we did see several tics while there. On one day there was a Moose in the lake, with her baby nearby in the brush, it was a fabulous site. Also just down the road several miles is the Cottonwood hot springs ($40 for 3 hours) which was fabulous, with 5 pools, a sauna and a cold plunge in the river.
GuideThe length is pretty well maxed at 25 feet and does include picnic table and fire pit. Camp on the edge of the Dunes.
TravelerWe visited Mueller State Park and were pleased by the crisp air and mountain scenery. That’s over 100 campsites however, they are far enough apart that you have the feeling of being secluded. There wasn’t the noise issues you sometimes experience from neighbors at popular campgrounds which really made it enjoyable. The visitor center was nice and we found the park ranger to be friendly and informative. I definitely will be visiting again.
Traveler6+ miles on a canyon shelf dirt/gravel/frequently rocky road to get here. Beautiful views of the canyon and creek. Tiny trout even in the small pockets at campsites. Very limited cell signal at my site (one of the only two across from each other). Monday in July only seen one other person. Not too buggy. Mountain goat poop everywhere. Fire pits at every site I’ve seen.
TravelerThis site is right on the water with a beautiful view. It was a great spot for fishing and launching a paddle board. The wind picked up for about an hour right before sunset as it does at these reservoirs but the night was still and silent. It was a beautiful stop and we will be returning.
GuideBeautiful spot right at the dunes. There’s a trail beside the campsite.
ScoutRoad In is a bit washed and narrow. But nothing out of the ordinary. Trails are great with a few options larger in size. Other than the rude neighbors who came in after dark and were loud till midnight enough so my son packed up his tent and left. The place is grand.
Camping options near Howard, Colorado range from established sites with full amenities to primitive dispersed camping along forest roads. Located in the Arkansas River Valley at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, this area experiences cool nights even in summer months with temperature drops of 30-40 degrees from daytime highs. The region's camping season typically runs from late spring through early fall, with accessibility to higher elevation sites limited by snowfall from November through April.
River activities: Fish, raft, or swim in the Arkansas River at Hecla Junction Campground, which offers boat launch access for those exploring Browns Canyon. "Great views of the Arkansas River. Probably best suited for RVs and quick spot to camp," notes Kenneth S. from Hecla Junction Campground.
Hiking and exploration: Trek the Rainbow Trail near Hayden Creek Road for mountain views and creek access. "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," shares Shawn at Hayden Creek Road.
Soak in hot springs: Visit Valley View Hot Springs for natural thermal pools. "We originally planned just to do a daily soak before heading to our next campsite but ended up just staying here because we enjoyed it so much," says Brittany R. at Valley View Hot Springs.
Secluded creek-side camping: Hayden Creek Roadside Camp offers sites alongside flowing water. "There are a handful of dispersed camping sites along Hayden Creek Rd, South of Cuttys and before you get the the USFS campground. The creek is nice and the sounds was much louder then we anticipated, which was good," reports Kelly at Hayden Creek Roadside Camp.
Family activities at resorts: Cutty's Resort offers organized activities beyond camping. "We had a good time, plenty of activities, pools, putt-putt, hiking, they had young staff that organized hands on crafts and science experiment classes for all the kids to participate in who were staying that weekend. One class was the kids making alka seltzer rockets," explains Thomas P.
Mountain views and wildlife watching: Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area provides elevated perspectives. "Beautiful view of divide in one side and Arkansas Valley on the other. 14 day limit, we stayed 3 nights and it was quiet and peaceful. We saw Bats, Nighthawks, Turkey Vultures, Coyotes, and Deer," shares Sheridan B. at Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area.
Reservation requirements: Many established campgrounds require advance planning. "DO NOT GO HERE UNLESS YOU MAKE A RESERVATION! The camp host was very friendly and nice! She told us that it fills up fast and that we were so lucky to pull in when we did," warns Kirsten L. about Hecla Junction.
Road conditions: Access varies widely between sites. "The road starts as tar and converts to gravel. It is a maintained road but is loaded with washboard so you may just have to take it easy if you have a motor home or trailer," explains Chad M. about Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping experience significantly. "It got very cold in October, but has beautiful views of the mountains!" notes Dare To Everywhere about Hayden Creek Road.
Activities for children: Look for campgrounds with structured recreation. "We make sure to visit Cutty's every summer. Lots for the kids and adults to enjoy. Indoor and outdoor pools, mini golf, volleyball, basketball, tennis, horse shoes, bingo, karaoke, too much to list!" recommends Alicia S. at Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek.
Quieter locations for family rest: Some campgrounds offer more peace than others. "We had a great time with our family camping here for a long memorial day weekend. Really friendly staff, clean facilities, and very close to Salida! Was a perfect weekend," shares Mike D. about Salida North BLM.
Connectivity concerns: Cell service varies widely. "No cell service via Verizon; very spotty with AT&T. But good, fast Wi-Fi is available," reports Matt about Sugarbush Campground.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some sites. "Our particular site was pretty unlevel but that's not the campground's fault," notes Sarah F. about Cutty's Resort.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by location. "Sites are close together but very nice and level, plus there isn't large gravel which is a lot easier on the tent. The facilities and laundry room were clean," explains Will T. about Sugarbush Campground.
Size restrictions: Not all roads accommodate larger rigs. "Nothing is officially marked but you can tell where others have camped and many sites have a fire ring. Shortly after you enter the Wildlife Area if your driving an RV or trailer you may want to take a right and explore that area," suggests Chad M. about Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area.
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.
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