Best Tent Camping near Howard, CO
Tent campers near Howard, Colorado can find diverse options ranging from established sites with basic facilities to remote dispersed camping areas in surrounding public lands. Browns Canyon Dispersed offers primitive tent camping with several rocky fire rings in an open area bordered by bluffs, while Phantom Canyon Road provides numerous secluded tent sites tucked along a creek with mountain views. The nearby Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area offers walk-in tent sites at Vallie Bridge Campground for those preferring more established locations.
Most primitive tent sites near Howard require self-sufficiency as amenities are minimal. Many dispersed camping areas like Browns Creek South have no water sources, toilets, or trash facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire rings are typically rock-built by previous campers rather than metal installations. A camper noted, "The sites are pretty unmanaged, fire rings are at most of the well-used spots." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing remote tent sites along forest service roads, particularly after rain when conditions deteriorate. Phantom Canyon Road's tent sites often fill quickly on weekends, making weekday arrivals advantageous.
Tent camping areas around Howard provide exceptional access to solitude and natural features. Sites along Road 240 offer tent campers proximity to alpine lakes and hiking trails. The terrain varies from wooded shade to open areas with mountain views, with elevation changes affecting temperatures significantly between day and night. One reviewer described their experience at a tent site as "absolutely beautiful area, we pulled in on a Friday evening with thunderstorms all around." Sites near creeks are particularly prized for the ambient sound and access to water for filtering. Many walk-in tent locations provide greater separation from neighbors compared to vehicle-accessible sites, creating more immersive wilderness experiences. Wildlife sightings are common, with several campers reporting evidence of bears and coyotes near their tent sites.
