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Best Campgrounds near Howard, CO

1,512 Reviews

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Howard, Colorado (294)

    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. Hecla Junction Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

    23 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.)"

    7. Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area

    17 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."

    8. 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."

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

    9 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."

    10. Salida RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Salida, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 882-1569

    $73 - $144 / night

    "Great location, close to Salida and hiking & biking trails. "

    "Perfect spot for access to Methodist Trail system, down town and easy bike ride away. Grounds were immaculate, sites perfectly level and raked after each guest. Camp hosts were super friendly. "

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Recent Camping Photos near Howard, CO

561 Photos of 294 Howard Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Howard, CO

1512 Reviews of 294 Howard Campgrounds

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2026

    Shavano Mountain

    Rough road

    If you are in a 2wd car or small suv, stay on a and b loop. There is one hill thats steep and loose rock to get up here and the views are only marginally better. Dont risk it if you have a 2wd heavy van. Not saying it cant be done, just saying there is a measurable risk for inexperienced drivers in low clearance cars. The views are amazing and the road keeps going up and up well beyond where I stopped. Honestly tho only go up here is the loops below are full its not much different but the whole area is amazing. Pack an extra blanket it gets cold and windy at night up here

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2026

    Browns Canyon Dispersed

    Room for trailers

    Go up to the y and take a right. These are all designated spots on a gravel loop. Good verizon cell depending on where you park. Watch out when baking up the road is lined with guard posts and saw some People accidentally back into them. Lots of wildlife and amazing views up here. If you get to a scary hill that looks steep and rough you went to far that way only gets worse. Turn around and try again. Follow signs for a and B loop to access this area

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2026

    Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area

    Amazing views

    The road getting up here to this spot is easy no issues at all a car could do it. Going further up is another story this is sort of the " middle" of the 3 that are up here but you go up the same road. This is the first landing area and it has great views and some cell phone signal depending on where you pick your spot. AlOT of animal poop around this place. If you have a dog that cant stop barking at deer in the early morning this isnt a good place to stop

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2026

    Russell Lake Wildlife Refuge

    Gravel lot

    This is right off the highway so it has good Verizon signal as well as very easy access the place is just a big gravel lot so it is big rig friendly with plenty of room to turn around there is a vault toilet right in the parking lot there is also some nature trails along the wetlands so this is a great place to crash for the night and then go on a bird walk in the early morning

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2026

    Saguache Camp and Lodge

    Motel and RV

    Kind of in the middle of nowhere but has good Verizon cell signal. Directly off the highway, so very easy access. At first glance it looks like it’s just a motel and a store, however at the south side of the property there is 5-6 rv hookups, that appear to have electrical and septic hookup. It’s not really a destination but if you are passing through the long and boring valley, it’s a place to stay at for the night.

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2026

    Ruby Mountain Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

    Great hiking

    2 bars verizon or more if you get in the right spot. Paid campground they give you picnic table the spaces are small and mostly gravel. River access and if you go to the end of the road you get access to the northern section of browns canyon national park. There is some great hiking up through here. Also a pit toilet at the trailhead

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2026

    Hecla Junction Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

    Good amenities

    This is a paid campground. Its 1 bar verizon but starlink works. Its a couple miles down a fort road but people livw on the road so its maintained. Ita really a mix of public land. Browns canyon national monument and a colorado park. Yoy have to pay to stay here but it has bathrooms and river access. There is a small river trail that is nice short and has good views the campsites are close togwther but come with a Picnic table and a fire pit but its so dry dont count on having a fire

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2026

    Salida North BLM

    Comes with tables

    1-2 bars verizon. Dirt road but car safe. Less than mile off the highway. Good starlink. This is really just the back section of the Hendricks flats campground. Not sure why its split into 2 on here. Its in a small rocky canyon with the best spots as far back as it goes. It goes to a loop which looks like the end but thetr is a little road that goes back in the canyon a bit and has an amazing snowy peak view straight through the canyon. If you are staying here try to get this spot.

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2026

    Hendricks Flat

    Easy access

    1-2 bars verizon. Good starlink. Super easy access from the highway and only 15 minutes from salida. This is a great little spot. It has maybe 15 or so spots all with picnic table and fire ring. The spots are all designated. Some spots are closer to each other than others. The back of the place is a mini canyon with 20 or 30 ft rock walls. Gives it a really cool feel. Overall its a good place to stop or use as a local foothold but I wouldnt call it a destination spot. You would get bored pretty quickly sitting around here for a couple days.

Guide to Howard

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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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