CamperWatch

National campground directory. Verified data, live availability, community tips.

info@camperwatch.org

Explore

  • Search all campgrounds
  • Free camping guide
  • Dispersed camping guide
  • National park campgrounds
  • When Yosemite is sold out
  • When Yellowstone is sold out
  • Availability alerts
  • Community feed
  • Baja California RV parks
  • Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

Featured Campgrounds

  • Emerald Bay — Lake Tahoe CAState
  • Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe ParksTribal
  • Slough Creek — Yellowstone
  • North Pines — Yosemite Valley
  • Jenny Lake — Grand Teton
  • Many Glacier — Glacier NP

For Owners

  • List your campground free
  • Hipcamp alternative
  • Campspot alternative
  • Campground booking software
  • List campground free guide

© 2026 CamperWatch · Not affiliated with Recreation.gov, NPS, or USFS

TermsPrivacyCancellationContactllms.txt

Howard Meadows Campground

Federal campground in Mendocino National Forest

Location: CA, CA

Price: From $6 per night

Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)

Season: May through October

This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you are able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/howard-meadows-campground to be notified when sites open up.

Howard Meadows Campground offers a peaceful and quiet camping experience near Howard Lake at an affordable $6/night rate. Campers praise it as a relaxing spot with fire rings and picnic tables.

Wildlife alert: Mountain lions, American black bears, and mule deer are present in the area within 8km. Fisher, ringtail, and various reptiles including Pacific gopher snakes also inhabit the region.

Insider tips for Howard Meadows Campground: Access the campground via Little Doe Camp off M1 and follow the road carefully Download the Recreation.gov mobile app before arriving to use Scan and Pay feature for payment GPS and Google Maps directions are inaccurate; follow road signs instead as the campground is located on the northwest side of the lake

Skip Howard Meadows Campground if: You need hookups—no hookups available at this campground. You prefer guaranteed site availability—it is first-come, first-served only and you must physically arrive to claim a site. You cannot arrive during May through October operating season.

Best time to visit Howard Meadows Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.

Nearby campgrounds: Howard Lake Campground (CA), Little Doe Campground (CA), Masterson Group Campground (Stonyford, CA), Post Creek Guard Station (WEAVERVILLE, CA).

Cell Phone Coverage at Howard Meadows Campground

Cell signal at Howard Meadows Campground (CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.

    Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.

    CamperWatch
    CommunityPlan a tripCompareTribes
    CamperWatch›CA›Howard Meadows Campground
    See all photos
    Federal campground in Mendocino National ForestLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min

    Howard Meadows Campground

    Share: X Facebook
    CA, CA★ 4 (0 reviews)From $6/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
    On this page ↓OverviewConditionsPlan Your TripCommunity

    This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you are able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.

    Best for:CampersNature loversFamiliesSites:Tent
    LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife

    Verified facts

    RIDB / Recreation.gov official database
    Check-in2:00 PM
    Check-out12:00 PM
    SeasonMay through October
    Stay limit14 days
    HookupsNo hookups.
    Max/site6 people

    Amenities

    RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verified
    Essentials
    Fire Rings
    Recreation
    Picnic Tables

    Straight talk

    CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reports

    Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.

    Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
    Skip it if:✕ You need hookups—no hookups available at this campground✕ You prefer guaranteed site availability—it is first-come, first-served only and you must physically arrive to claim a site✕ You cannot arrive during May through October operating season

    Insider tips & when to go

    CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entry

    Access the campground via Little Doe Camp off M1 and follow the road carefully

    Download the Recreation.gov mobile app before arriving to use Scan and Pay feature for payment

    GPS and Google Maps directions are inaccurate; follow road signs instead as the campground is located on the northwest side of the lake

    Best: May-October

    Campground operates seasonally during these months only

    Things to do nearby

    RIDB /activities /recareas + intel

    Conditions today

    Live
    at campground coordinates

    Cell signal

    FCC BDC · quarterly dataset
    T-Mobile
    4G · 0%
    Verizon
    4G · 0%
    AT&T
    4G · 0%

    FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.

    Wildlife nearby

    iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 km
    Alert: Mountain lions, American black bears, and mule deer are present in the area within 8km. Fisher, ringtail, and various reptiles including Pacific gopher snakes also inhabit the region.

    Location

    Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
    Open in OpenStreetMap ↗
    (707) 983-6118· Mendocino National Forest

    Campground entrance

    Google Maps API

    Community

    #community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)

    Pro tips

    • Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Mendocino National Forest fills fast in peak season.
    • Check current road conditions at Mendocino National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.

    Frequently asked questions

    RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakable
    How much does Howard Meadows Campground cost per night?+
    Howard Meadows Campground costs $6 per night. Hookup options: No hookups.
    What season is Howard Meadows Campground open?+
    Howard Meadows Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
    Does Howard Meadows Campground have hookups?+
    No hookups.
    What is the maximum RV length at Howard Meadows Campground?+
    Howard Meadows Campground is primarily a tent camping facility.
    How do I make reservations at Howard Meadows Campground?+
    Howard Meadows Campground is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
    What is the cell service like at Howard Meadows Campground?+
    According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Howard Meadows Campground is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
    What season is Howard Meadows Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
    Howard Meadows Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
    Compare campgroundsPlan a multi-stop trip
    ●Data sources on this page
    Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
    recreation.gov · RIDB API
    National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
    api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
    Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
    airquality.googleapis.com
    iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
    api.inaturalist.org
    Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
    pollen.googleapis.com
    FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
    broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
    Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
    api.sunrise-sunset.org
    Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
    maps.googleapis.com
    RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
    ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas

    CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.

    $6 /night★ 4 (0)
    SeasonMay through October
    Check-in2:00 PM
    Check-out12:00 PM
    Reserve on Recreation.gov ↗
    Dates full? Get an availability alert
    FAQ
    How much does Howard Meadows Campground cost per night?+
    What season is Howard Meadows Campground open?+
    Does Howard Meadows Campground have hookups?+
    All 7 questions →

    Nearby Campgrounds

    Howard Lake Campground

    CA

    From $6/night

    Little Doe Campground

    CA

    From $6/night

    Masterson Group Campground

    Stonyford, CA

    From $75/night

    Post Creek Guard Station

    WEAVERVILLE, CA

    From $75/night

    Own a campground nearby?

    List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.

    List your campground →
    $6 /nightNo booking fees
    +TRIPCheck availability