40 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Howe, Idaho range from developed facilities to dispersed camping areas, with significant options around Craters of the Moon National Monument. The region includes established campgrounds like Lava Flow Campground within the monument and several RV parks in nearby Arco, such as Craters of the Moon-Arco KOA and Mountain View RV Park, which offer cabin accommodations alongside tent and RV sites. Public lands in the area support primitive camping, particularly along Big Lost River and in the surrounding mountain foothills, providing alternatives to formal campground settings.
Seasonal considerations heavily influence camping conditions in this high desert region. Most developed campgrounds operate primarily from April through October, with Lava Flow Campground charging reduced rates during shoulder seasons when water is shut off. The volcanic landscape creates unique camping environments with limited shade and extreme temperature variations between day and night. Several dispersed areas require high-clearance vehicles due to rough access roads and rocky terrain. Cell service is limited throughout the region, particularly in remote areas and within the national monument boundaries. A recent review noted, "This is a decent spot if you need a place to stop in between Idaho Falls and salmon. Nice and quiet middle of nowhere spot for a middle of nowhere drive."
Campers frequently mention the otherworldly landscape as a primary appeal when staying at established campgrounds within Craters of the Moon. The contrast between dark lava formations and the night sky creates memorable camping experiences, though the exposed terrain provides minimal protection from wind and sun. According to one visitor, "This is what you would expect in the wilderness of Idaho! A unique location, and an experience worth having!" RV parks in the area generally receive positive reviews for their proximity to attractions, though amenities vary significantly. Dispersed camping along Big Lost River offers fishing access and privacy, with one camper commenting on the "incredible views" available at these less-developed sites. The volcanic terrain limits tree cover at many locations, so campers should prepare for exposure to elements regardless of camping style.
"We like staying here while traveling through Idaho. It’s a short drive to Craters of the Moon National Monument, and Arco, Idaho is a neat little town."
"It’s surrounded by views of huge mountains and open plains with a horse pasture next door. It was quiet and everyone here was respectful of others."
from $25 - $55 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at Mountain View RV Park in Arco, Idaho, and it proved to be an outstanding, budget-friendly home base packed with convenience and unique local history."
"There were fields around the rest of the park and horses in one of them so we visited them one night on a walk."
from $52 - $58 / night
Check Availability"This is what you would expect in the wilderness of Idaho! A unique location, and an experience worth having!"
"All facilities are closed so it’s just camping and exploring the park which is all within walking distance of the campground. Very friendly ranger working the front! Level sites on pavement."
"This is a great location. The owner of the property, Scar, is very generous in offering his property for free to stay at to complete strangers. This is dry camping, no water or sewer."
"He has 2 rules to stay on his property, you need to speak to him before you enter, and you need to come outside and join all the campers at dusk and stand for the Star Spangled Banner."
"This is a decent spot if you need a place to stop in between Idaho Falls and salmon. Nice and quiet middle of nowhere spot for a middle of nowhere drive."
"Had LOTS of spots right next to the river . Some close to bathrooms. Water available at. Orth entrance. Free but asks for a donation."
"There is access to a toilet across the road and there is a fire ring with a picnic table. We would go back there again."
"This is an amazing secluded spot deep into the Sawtooth Mountains of Central Idaho. We've been coming here for years and my fathers been coming here since the 60's. "
"We enjoyed the nearby creek and beautiful wildflowers that were blooming. Port-a-potties were there when we first set up camp but they were later taken by forest staff which left us without a toilet."
"Great spot right off the highway. Beautiful views, several spots to choose from. The road in is a little rough, just take it slow."
"When you turn onto the road you will come to a green fence near a house. You just have to open it and close it again after you enter. The road to the site is rough."
"The campground is a super scenic spot to pitch camp in an RV in a tranquil setting surrounded by mountains and forests."
GuideDefinitely a unique campground. Sites are FCFS and this campground was very busy for this time of year, even with bathrooms closed (pit toilets only) and water shut off for the season. Sites are very close together but everyone was very respectful and relatively quiet. Lots of cool hikes in the nearby lava fields. International Dark Sky Park so great for stargazing too!
GuideWe pulled in early afternoon and grabbed a pull through with Southern shade. You have to pay daily at an automated kiosk. Wifi at visitor center. Nice loop to drive with multiple hikes. Good info. Provided.
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for one of the most surreal, otherworldly camping experiences in North America, Lava Flow Campground inside Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is an absolute gem. Tucked directly into a young volcanic landscape, this park lets you pitch camp surrounded by jagged, pitch-black basalt rock formations that feel more like the surface of the moon than south-central Idaho.
Rig Size Advisory: Tents & Small Campers Only
First and foremost, know what to expect before towing into the monument:
An Educational Masterpiece for Families
If you have school-aged kids or grandkids who are currently learning about earth science, geology, or volcanoes, camping here is an absolute must.
World-Class Dark Sky Stargazing
Because Craters of the Moon is a certified International Dark Sky Park, the night experience is just as spectacular as the daytime geology:
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Lava Flow Campground is a rare national park treasure that puts you right in the center of the action. While it lacks hookups and won't accommodate large RVs, its unique volcanic setting, incredible educational value for children, and world-class dark skies make it one of the coolest dry-camping stops in the West.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are exploring Central Idaho or routing past Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, finding the right campground can make all the difference—especially if you pull a long setup. We stayed at Mountain View RV Park in Arco, Idaho, and it proved to be an outstanding, budget-friendly home base packed with convenience and unique local history.
Location, Convenience & Price
Scenic Views & The Famous "Number Hill"
The campground lives up to its name with sweeping views of the surrounding rugged mountain ranges.
BIG-RIG PRO TIP: Stay Here Instead of Craters of the Moon
If you are planning to visit Craters of the Moon National Monument, take our advice as seasoned big-rig travelers: Stay at Mountain View RV Park and day-trip into the park with your tow vehicle or passenger car.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Mountain View RV Park delivers everything an RVer needs: fair pricing, spotless utilities, great mountain backdrops, and an on-site dining option that saves you time and cooking cleanup. It is easily the smartest staging point in the region for anyone pulling a mid-to-large rig. We will definitely be back!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
TravelerWe didn’t get to stay here, but drove thru on our way through the monument. Really unique campsites in the middle of the lava flows. Would have comfortably stayed had the timing worked to do so…
TravelerWe opted for the slightly more expensive on paper RV park in this town as this appeared quite run down and lacking maintenance. Was not at all inviting to stay. And quite expensive considering the conditions.
TravelerThis campground had all the amenities we needed… electric and water hook-ups, picnic table, clean restrooms, warm showers, and laundry facilities. Could have played cornhole and other yard games too. Bar with lots of tvs to watch Sunday football, while it rained was a bonus. Showers are coin operated but provided a ridiculously generous time limit… we were very comfortable staying an extra night due to the weather and some issues we needed to troubleshoot in our van.
LegendMost are pretty exposed and they close most services up early in the fall. I am in a spot close to the visitor center side of the park and get the wifi from the office. Otherwise with Verizon you have no services.
GuideBeautiful landscape among sage and lava, quite, along the road a few spots to park. We enjoyed privatness
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Howe, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, Howe, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 40 campgrounds and RV parks near Howe, ID and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Howe, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Howe, ID is Craters of the Moon RV Park with a 3.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Howe, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Howe, ID.
What parks are near Howe, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Howe, ID that allow camping, notably Craters of the Moon National Monument and Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
Keep Exploring
