Camping cabins near Howard, Colorado sit at elevations between 7,000-8,000 feet in the Arkansas River Valley. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-80°F with dramatic afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Several cabin accommodations remain open beyond the typical summer season, with some facilities like Monarch Spur RV Park operating from May through November.
What to do
River activities: 4 miles from campgrounds. The Arkansas River offers prime fishing and rafting opportunities near many Howard cabin sites. At Rocky Top River Ranch, campers can fish "steps from our campsite" according to one visitor who "had a blast fishing" right from the property. The ranch's 9 sites provide direct river access.
Hot springs soaking: Multiple locations. Several cabin properties near Howard include access to natural hot springs. Valley View Hot Springs features "about 12 beautiful pools" with "total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen." A visitor noted the property has "wonderful landscape and the soaking pools throughout."
Mountain hiking: Seasonal trails. Cabin guests can access numerous hiking trails in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Near Monarch Spur RV Park, the Colorado Trail passes just "a mile up the road" from the campground, making it a convenient basecamp for section hikers. The park's 8,000+ foot elevation provides excellent access to alpine trails.
What campers like
Mountain views: Continental Divide visible. Many cabins offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. At Pleasant Valley RV Park, visitors enjoy "great views of the continental divide and relaxing sound of the river" from their accommodations. One camper called it "a hidden camping gem" that "feels peaceful and secluded."
Family-friendly activities: On-site options. Cabin properties often include various recreational amenities. Cutty's Resort - Hayden Creek provides "lots of outdoor activities on site: mini golf, tetherball, swimming pool, play areas, cornhole, etc." Another visitor mentioned "the pools on site were perfect for the kids. On site mini golf was a blast."
Natural springs: Clothing optional locations. Some cabin properties feature natural hot springs with clothing-optional policies. Valley View Hot Springs offers a "clothing optional hot springs and camping" experience where guests participated but "didn't feel like we had to." One visitor described it as having "great people all around from guests to staff."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book well ahead. Many cabin sites require advance booking, especially for prime summer dates. At Valley View Hot Springs, "you need to reserve well in advance as the demand is much higher than the capacity." Off-season availability improves at most locations.
Amenity variations: Check specific offerings. Cabin amenities differ significantly between properties. Joyful Journey Hot Springs cabins include "access to the pools" and "an adobe bathroom/shower house with full access" plus "a restaurant cafe in the main lodge." Some properties include meals—at Joyful Journey, "breakfast and dinner are included in your stay."
Weather preparation: Altitude affects temperatures. The high elevation means significant temperature swings. At Monarch Spur RV Park, "high altitude means cool to cold nights" even during summer months. Campers should pack layers regardless of season.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for entertainment options. Families should select cabins with dedicated children's activities. Cutty's Resort has "a lot for kids to do—pool, mini golf, a basketball court, and a game room." One reviewer noted they "had young staff that organized hands on crafts and science experiment classes for all the kids to participate in."
Meal planning: Limited grocery options. Howard has minimal food shopping facilities. Larger grocers are located in Salida, about 30 minutes from most cabin sites. Some campgrounds like Cutty's Resort offer limited food service where "the food they served at the mess hall was fire."
Technology expectations: Limited connectivity. Bighorn Park and other sites near Howard often have minimal cell reception or Wi-Fi. One visitor to Cutty's noted "no cell service so teens not happy about this." Some sites offer Wi-Fi in common areas only.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Limited large spaces. RVers report variable site dimensions at cabin campgrounds. Bighorn Park offers both "pull though and back ins" with some spots reported as "rather small." One camper mentioned they "have an Outlaw toy hauler so we're so lucky to get a back-in spot overlooking the river."
Road conditions: Access considerations. Access roads to some cabin properties remain unpaved. One camper mentioned "road into the campground was dirt and a bit washboard" when describing their experience getting to Cutty's Resort. Winter travel may require 4WD for some properties.
Hookup limitations: Check availability. Not all cabin campgrounds offer full RV hookups. At Joyful Journey, some sites are "dry spots" while others have "electric hookup." Riverside RV Park offers 30-amp service while others provide 50-amp connections.
