Howard Meadows Campground
04 reviewsQuick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
7 campsites
Season
null
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
7 campsites
Season
null
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Howard Meadows Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
null
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
Get Notified When Available
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes
167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications
Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
ProviderWhat Campers Say
N/A
Limited Reviews
Based on 4 reviews
3 Google reviews
Most mentioned
peacefulcleanlocationlake
"Howard Meadows Campground is praised for its quiet, remote, and peaceful atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the clean vault toilet and the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Access to Howard Lake is noted as a highlight, though the lack of amenities such as running water and trash disposal requires preparation."
Fees & Passes at Howard Meadows Campground
Free
Campsite fees
Stay Limit: null
Cancellation: null
Prices verified December 7, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official reservation website.
Best Time to Camp at Howard Meadows Campground
Howard Meadows transforms with the seasons, offering a raw and authentic wilderness experience that tests your mettle. Winter brings crisp, bone-chilling temperatures and the possibility of snow blanketing the forest floor, while substantial precipitation throughout the year keeps the landscape lush and vibrant. This isn't your fair-weather campground – it's a destination for hardy souls who find beauty in nature's more challenging moods and aren't deterred by the prospect of camping in rugged conditions.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Best
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.
Planning Tips
- Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
- Operating Season: null
- Current Alerts: null
About Howard Meadows Campground
Escape to the untouched wilderness of Howard Meadows Campground, where six intimate campsites await those seeking true solitude in the heart of Mendocino National Forest. This beautifully remote destination strips camping down to its purest form – just you, nature, and the essentials. With only a vault toilet and no running water, Howard Meadows invites adventurers to embrace the simplicity of backcountry camping. Remember to arrive self-sufficient with all necessary supplies and leave no trace of your visit, preserving this pristine sanctuary for future explorers.
Howard Meadows Campground is a primitive campground with six developed sites suitable for tent camping. It does not accommodate RVs or offer group camping facilities.
Historical Significancenull
Weather and SeasonsHoward Meadows transforms with the seasons, offering a raw and authentic wilderness experience that tests your mettle. Winter brings crisp, bone-chilling temperatures and the possibility of snow blanketing the forest floor, while substantial precipitation throughout the year keeps the landscape lush and vibrant. This isn't your fair-weather campground – it's a destination for hardy souls who find beauty in nature's more challenging moods and aren't deterred by the prospect of camping in rugged conditions.
Elevationnull
Natural Features and SceneryHidden like a secret in the folds of Mendocino National Forest, Howard Meadows offers an enchanting retreat where ancient trees stand as silent sentinels around your campsite. The forest creates a natural cathedral of towering conifers that filter sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor. Here, the only sounds breaking the profound silence are the whisper of wind through branches and the occasional call of wildlife. It's a place where solitude isn't just available – it's guaranteed, making every moment feel like a private communion with the wilderness.
Geological Regionnull
Advertisement
Campsite details
AccessibilityThe campground does not specify accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.
Sites SizeThe six developed campsites provide adequate space for tent camping, but detailed measurements are not provided.
Sites PrivacyVisitors describe the campground as quiet and secluded, with limited traffic and few other campers.
Total Campsites7 campsites
Recommended Campsitesnull
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Null
Check-out
Null
Stay Limit
Null
Guests Allowed Per Site
Null
Groups
There are no group camping sites available.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutnull
Open and Closed Seasonnull
Reservation Platformsnull
Walk-in Availabilitynull
Cancellation Policynull
Amenities available
Fire rings
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Howard Meadows Campground offers opportunities for remote and quiet camping. Visitors enjoy the nearby Howard Lake, which is about a 15-minute hike from the campground. Activities include fishing, swimming, and wildlife observation.
Hiking
The campground provides access to a 15-minute hike to Howard Lake. Beyond this, there are no specific hiking trails mentioned.Fishing
Howard Lake provides fishing opportunities. A reviewer mentioned smallmouth bass as the primary catch. Despite claims of trout stocking, no trout were observed or reported caught.Swimming
Swimming is available in Howard Lake. Reviewers note that the lake is warm at the surface but becomes cold quickly due to its steep drop-off.Wildlife viewing
Limited wildlife was observed during visits, with sightings including fish, squirrels, and lizards. Deer were only seen during the drive to and from the campground.Winter Activities
Winter activities are not mentioned for this campground.Water Sports
Swimming in Howard Lake is the primary water activity. No other specific water sports are noted.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- null
- Quiet hours are null
Hazards
General hazardsnull
Active alertsnull
Weather at Howard Meadows Campground
51
°F
Dec 7
Sunday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Gentle breeze, perfect for outdoor activities
Humidity: 63%
Moderately humid conditions
Wind: 2.2 mph
Gentle breeze, perfect for outdoor activities
Overcast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast
Emergency Services
null
Good to know
Peak season datesnull
Trash and recyclingVisitors must pack out all their trash as no trash facilities are available.
Proximity to water featuresHoward Lake is approximately a 15-minute hike away from the campground with limited accessible beaches.
Common complaintsLimited wildlife sightings, some difficulty with directions, and no running water.
Hostnull
Campground Map
null
Nearby places
null
Nearby supplies
null
Reviews from booking and map sources
0.0
4 reviews
Howard Meadows Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
Howard Meadows Campground is praised for its quiet, remote, and peaceful atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the clean vault toilet and the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Access to Howard Lake is noted as a highlight, though the lack of amenities such as running water and trash disposal requires preparation.
Review Summaries
Based on 4 reviews
What Campers Love
Visitors highlighted the campground's tranquility, cleanliness of the vault toilet, and the opportunity to enjoy Howard Lake for fishing and swimming. The remote location ensures a peaceful camping...
Based on 4 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Some visitors found the directions to the campground misleading, with maps causing confusion. The lack of running water and trash facilities are also noted as drawbacks, requiring campers to bring in...
Based on 4 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Campers are advised to bring sufficient water, trash bags, and sun protection due to the lack of facilities and hot weather. Four-wheel drive is recommended for navigating the roads leading to the...
Based on 4 reviewsShow more
Seasonal Insights
The campground is described as hot during the summer months, with sunburn being a concern for visitors. Seasonal conditions such as snowfall or extreme cold are not discussed in the reviews.
Based on 4 reviewsCamper Quotes
1. "Very peaceful and quiet spot... You need a 4WD to get there." - Justin Weist
2. "We could see a full sky of stars at night. Truly away from anything." - Ines Schmidt
3. "The vault bathroom was...
Based on 4 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
No specific feedback is provided on individual campsite numbers or unique characteristics.
Based on 4 reviewsAccessibility Features
No reviews specifically address accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.
Based on 4 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
No reviews specifically mention pet policies or pet-related experiences.
Based on 4 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5
Last updated December 7, 2025
Advertisement