Best Tent Camping near Howe, ID
The mountainous terrain surrounding Howe, Idaho offers several primitive tent camping options within the Challis National Forest and nearby public lands. Mt. Borah Trailhead and Camping Area provides tent-only sites at 7,200 feet elevation, serving as a popular basecamp for hikers attempting Idaho's highest peak. Iron Bog Campground near Mackay offers tent campsites with mountain views and creek access. For more remote experiences, West Dubois Pulloff on Route 22 provides dispersed tent camping with views of the Tetons at sunrise.
Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October due to high elevation snow conditions. Sites typically feature basic amenities like fire rings and vault toilets, but running water is scarce. At Mt. Borah Trailhead, campers must bring their own water from nearby Mackay. Iron Bog's hand pump is often turned off late in the season. Broad Canyon Campground provides picnic tables and fire pits but no drinking water. The terrain at most sites consists of gravel pads or natural surfaces with minimal grading. Cell service is virtually nonexistent throughout the area, requiring advance planning for backcountry tent camping trips.
Tent campers report peaceful, uncrowded experiences even during summer months. According to reviews, Iron Bog Campground remains quiet with "very few occupied sites" even during peak season. At Timber Creek, visitors note the campground features "two streams running on both sides" with approximately 12 flat, tree-covered sites that rarely fill to capacity. The West Dubois area offers flat camping surfaces but limited wind protection. Mt. Borah campers appreciate the transition zone between sagebrush and juniper that provides some shade despite few large trees. Walk-in tent sites throughout the region offer greater seclusion, with many serving as gateways to backcountry hiking trails and alpine lakes for fishing and exploration.