Camping opportunities near Howe, Idaho range from established RV parks to dispersed sites in the high desert at elevations between 4,800-5,400 feet. The area experiences significant temperature swings with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows dropping below freezing. Most camping options sit within a 45-minute drive of Craters of the Moon National Monument, where volcanic lava fields create a stark, otherworldly landscape.
What to do
Cave exploration at Craters of the Moon: Visitors can explore lava tubes and caves at the national monument. "Most unique and gorgeous campground with helpful staff. Most spots have at least a couple sides completely blocked off from other spaces," notes a visitor to Lava Flow Campground. Another camper suggests, "I highly suggest going down in the caves where you can crawl in the lava tubes."
Fishing at Mackay Reservoir: The 1,100-acre reservoir offers year-round fishing opportunities. "The reservoir is great year round. Fun ice fishing in the winter and big enough for boating in the summer," reports a camper at Joe T. Fallini Campground.
Wildflower viewing: Spring and early summer bring colorful wildflowers to the area's mountain slopes. A camper at Bear Creek Dispersed Campground shared, "We enjoyed the nearby creek and beautiful wildflowers that were blooming."
What campers like
Spacious RV sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. At Mountain View RV Park, a reviewer noted, "The sites are very wide and spacious with grass in between. Full service. Very good cell phone service. The bathrooms are spotless and very large. The showers are about 5 ft by 5 ft!"
On-site dining options: Some RV parks feature food service. "MUST eat at the restaurant within the campground! Southern smoked BBQ!" exclaimed one camper about Mountain View RV Park, while another mentioned, "The restaurant serves delicious BBQ, southern style in a small, homey setting."
Free amenities at select parks: Certain campgrounds offer unexpected perks. Multiple reviewers mentioned morning meal offerings at the KOA, with one stating, "In the morning they offer FREE waffles, so after packing up the car, we enjoyed breakfast before heading over to the National Monument."
What you should know
Weather conditions: The area experiences strong winds and extreme temperature fluctuations. At Joe T. Fallini Campground, a camper warned, "Just beware that it is almost ALWAYS windy there."
Limited services: Many campgrounds have seasonal restrictions on utilities. During off-season at Lava Flow Campground, "Off-season has no running water but vault toilets are clean."
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. At Craters of the Moon Wilderness, reviewers reported "AT&T and T-Mobile: No Service" while visiting the backcountry areas.
Arrival timing: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. One visitor to Craters of the Moon Wilderness advised, "Get there in time! We had one of the last spots at 5pm."
Tips for camping with families
Pet-friendly options: Several RV sites near Howe, Idaho welcome pets with designated areas. A visitor to Wagon Wheel Motel & RV Park appreciated "dog friendly AC units" and described it as "baby dog loving."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. While limited at some locations, families can find options with kid-friendly amenities. A reviewer noted one park had a "playground for kids was minimal, but pool seemed nice."
Educational opportunities: The volcanic landscape provides learning experiences. "Driving up the change in terrain is enough to make you speechless. Sleeping here is even better. Great atmosphere and sites and the visitor center is informative," reported a camper at Lava Flow Campground.
Tips from RVers
Level sites available: Many campgrounds offer properly graded parking areas. A reviewer at Wagon Wheel Motel & RV Park mentioned "Nice & level pull thru and back in sites."
Hookup availability: Full-service RV sites near Howe, Idaho vary by location. At Honeys Park, a visitor explained, "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. He does not have any water, but he does have 30 amp electric sites."
Dump station locations: Several areas provide waste disposal options. At Honeys Park, "You can get water and also dump your trailer at the free city dump station very close to the campground."
Big rig access: Some campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. A camper at Wagon Wheel Motel & RV Park noted, "Camping is a dream here, fits almost all campers and owners are nice people."
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