Best Campgrounds near Howard, CO
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.
