Campgrounds and RV parks near Howard, CO

The Arkansas River is the main draw. It carries one of the most commercially rafted stretches of whitewater in the country, with sections ranging from Class II family water to Class IV and V rapids, and it is a Gold Medal trout fishery for fly anglers. Rafting outfitters and shuttle services are based in Salida and along Highway 50. On land, the Rainbow Trail runs the north face of the Sangre de Cristo Range and is reachable from Hayden Creek Road south of Howard. BLM land in Bighorn Sheep Canyon offers hiking, biking, and OHV access, and Browns Canyon National Monument sits a short drive north. Family side trips include the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park about 45 minutes east, hot springs at Mount Princeton and Cottonwood near Nathrop, and the historic downtown of Salida for restaurants and river-park tubing.

Peak season runs late May through early September, driven by rafting flows and warm days. Snowmelt drives peak river flows from April through June, when spring temperatures run 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and drop into the 30s and 40s at night, and this is the season for whitewater at its most powerful. August often brings the highest monthly precipitation from afternoon thunderstorms tied to the North American Monsoon. Private RV parks stay busiest during this window. Spring shoulder season, roughly April into May, is variable. Lower-elevation sites open first, but higher trails in the surrounding ranges hold snow into early summer. Fall, from mid-September into October, brings cooler nights, cottonwoods turning gold along the river, strong brown-trout fishing, and lighter crowds. Winter camping is possible but limited. Salida East Campground is open year-round, and the 23 campsites at Hecla Junction are also open year-round. Nighttime lows regularly drop into the teens Fahrenheit and below, so RVers should be set up for freezing temperatures and possible snow on Highway 50.

Sites near Howard cluster along the Arkansas River and Highway 50. Private parks in the area generally offer full hookups with 30 and 50 amp service, showers, laundry, and dump stations, and several front directly onto the river. The AHRA's campgrounds cater to outdoor enthusiasts with basic and primitive camping options, suitable for tents, RVs, and groups, with limitations on available amenities. Highway 50 traffic is audible from many riverside sites, and shade is limited at several public campgrounds. Elevation runs from about 6,300 feet at Howard up quickly on side roads, so overnight temperatures fall sharply after sunset even in summer. Cellular and data service is spotty throughout the AHRA. Fire restrictions are common in summer. AHRA campgrounds are covered by Federal and County fire restrictions, with the most restrictive applying, and conditions change rapidly, so check the Colorado Fire Restrictions map before arrival. Some private parks prohibit open campfires regardless of county rules.