Camping spots near Howe, Idaho cluster in the rain shadow of the eastern Rocky Mountains, with most areas sitting at 5,000-6,000 feet elevation. The volcanic terrain experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, often dropping 30-40 degrees between day and night. Water availability varies dramatically by season, with many dispersed sites requiring campers to pack in all water during summer months.
What to do
Cave exploration: Visit the lava tubes at Lava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument where underground temperatures remain 40-50°F year-round. The caves require a free permit from the visitor center. "If you are planning on camping here in the summer, be prepared for extreme dry heat. I highly suggest going down in the caves where you can crawl in the lava tubes," advises Hannah C.
Fishing access: Find spots along Birch Creek located 40 miles north of Howe, accessible via Highway 28. Requires Idaho fishing license ($14.75/day for non-residents). "Boondocking alongside a creek with the Lemhi mountains as a backdrop...Every site is along Birch Creek and has a picnic table and fire pit," notes Jerry B. about Birch Creek Campground.
Evening programs: Attend ranger-led night sky presentations held May-September at Group Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument. Programs run 45-60 minutes and require no reservation. "It is open so you can do stargazing without difficulty! It was wonderful!" shares Angie W.
ATV trails: Explore forest roads in the Challis National Forest area, particularly around Bear Creek. "This is a good spot to ride around on your motorcycle or ATV and get some pristine alpine fishing in," states Alan B.
What campers like
Unique terrain: Camp directly on volcanic landscapes at Craters of the Moon, where sites are built into the lava field. "This experience is a must! The campsite is in the lava fields. Like amongst piles of volcanic rock and mounds of lava flows. It's unreal! If you like rocks, plan to stay a few days," shares Taylor L.
Free camping options: Stay at Honeys Park located on private property just outside Arco. "It's a free campground ran by a disabled vet. He can't and won't charge anyone, though lately has been allowing donations to pay it forward and help with things like recovering the power installation," explains Scar S.
Accessible facilities: Find clean bathrooms at multiple campgrounds near Howe. "The bathrooms are spotless and very large. The showers are about 5 ft by 5 ft!" reports Marty S. from Mountain View RV Park.
Riverside sites: Set up camp along water features at several dispersed camping areas. "We enjoyed the nearby creek and beautiful wildflowers that were blooming," notes Jamie M. about Bear Creek Dispersed Campground.
What you should know
Water availability changes seasonally: Most developed campgrounds shut off water from mid-October through April. "Nice campground within the park, awesome scenery with little chipmunk visitors. The water was shut off due to the colder weather but still had pit toilets available, however this meant the price was only $8 for the night," notes Georgia L. about Lava Flow Campground.
No fires allowed at Craters of the Moon: Fire restrictions remain year-round due to limited emergency response capabilities. All cooking must use camp stoves.
Limited shade throughout region: Few trees exist in the lava fields and desert areas. "There are no developed rings or tables but you can tell where people usually set up camp...You could put a tent in here if you wanted but there are way better spots just up the road," advises Alan B.
Cell service unpredictable: Signal strength varies dramatically based on terrain. "Thank you Elon for Starlink else I could not stay here. Zut Verizon or Cricket (cricket sometime showed 1 bar but not usable)," reports Kevin H.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with playground access: Craters of the Moon-Arco KOA offers family-friendly amenities close to attractions. "Our boys got to enjoy the pool before it closed for the evening. In the morning they offer FREE waffles, so after packing up the car, we enjoyed breakfast before heading over to the National Monument," shares Bobby B.
Pack extra water: The dry climate requires 1-2 gallons per person per day, especially for children. Temperatures routinely hit 85-95°F in summer.
Bring wildlife identification guides: Small mammals and birds are abundant throughout the area, making for educational viewing opportunities.
Consider timing for comfortable temperatures: Late spring and early fall provide milder conditions for exploring with children. "Breezy summer evening, very cool morning. Short days due to being deep in the canyon," describes Leslie S. from Pass Creek Narrows.
Tips from RVers
Look for pull-through sites: Many campgrounds offer easier access for larger rigs. "Great little campground with full hook ups, 30 or 50 Amp. Spaces for tent camping up to Class A motor homes. Several pull through spots, a few back in spots," notes Jeremy H.
Beware of arrival time restrictions: Some private campgrounds have specific rules about check-in. "You can not get in here after dark. The owner came out and talked for a minute, said its a personal rule of his and I would be welcome back tomorrow," warns johny R. about Honeys Park.
Use the free dump station in Arco: Located near the highway junction, accessible without staying at commercial campgrounds. "You can get water and also dump your trailer at the free city dump station very close to the campground," advises Gail J.
Check road conditions for dispersed sites: Many require high-clearance vehicles. "As you continue to this spot, there's lots of places to pull off and camp. The road goes for quite a while and you can get to some beautiful creek/forest spots with 4WD," recommends Nikki A.
