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Black Bear Motel & RV Park
Overview
Black Bear Motel & RV Park provides a welcoming home base for travelers exploring the scenic Arkansas River Valley. Located in the quiet community of Howard, Colorado, this property combines the convenience of a traditional roadside motel with the flexibility of a dedicated RV park. It serves as a practical gateway to the high-country adventures found in the nearby Sangre de Cristo and Sawatch Ranges. The atmosphere is unpretentious and relaxed, mirroring the laid-back mountain lifestyle of central Colorado.
Location & Surroundings
Situated directly along the Highway 50 corridor, the park sits between the vibrant towns of Salida and Canon City. Guests enjoy stunning views of the surrounding peaks, with the Arkansas River flowing just a short distance away. The high-altitude desert landscape creates a unique backdrop of pinon pines and rugged rock formations. Because it is positioned away from the dense tourist hubs, travelers can expect quieter nights and clear, star-filled skies characteristic of the Colorado mountains.
Amenities & Park Features
The RV sites at this park are designed for convenience, offering full hookup connections with options for 30 or 50-amp service. Sites accommodate various rig sizes, and the park maintains essential facilities to support the RVer lifestyle:
- Level sites with pull-through and back-in options.
- On-site laundry and clean shower facilities.
- Reliable Wi-Fi access for guest connectivity.
The park is pet-friendly, allowing visitors to bring their dogs along for their mountain getaway. Travelers can also appreciate the well-maintained gravel pads and the availability of motel rooms for traveling companions without their own rigs.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Adventure is never far away, with the Arkansas River serving as a major draw for world-class fly fishing and whitewater rafting. A short drive leads to the historic downtown area of Salida, known for its thriving arts scene and thermal hot springs. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the San Isabel National Forest, which offers endless miles of hiking and biking trails. During the winter months, the park is a convenient distance from Monarch Mountain, offering a localized skiing experience.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and rafters who want quick access to the river without the crowds of larger resort towns. It is a great fit for travelers seeking a no-frills, reliable stopover while road-tripping through central Colorado. Whether you are an angler looking for the perfect catch or a family using Howard as a basecamp for the Royal Gorge, this park offers a straightforward and peaceful lodging solution for your mountain excursion.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Discounts
- Facility
- Internet
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Steve Elliott
I need to express my opinion on the customer service here. I will be staying for a month or two looking for a house. I spoke with Harrison, customer service manager, and it was like nothing I have experienced. I have NEVER received customer service at this level. It is unparalleled, even by a five star hotel. This is a very small motel/RV park in Howard, CO. Remodeled country style, but small. The effort and attention to customer satisfaction in amazing. Thank you Sir for all that you do! I have not checked in yet, so I will be updating this review. But I have no doubt it will be as good of an experience.
Carol Geiger
This place is a dive. There was no service to speak of. I didn't know where to find the host. The place was dirty and in poor repair. Bathroom wasn't cleaned in the 3 days I was there. There were bits of trash littering the entire place. There were open sewer access holes everywhere. Our site had 3 choices the one we chose didn't work and sewage spilled out. Most were not capped. The electric was jerry rigged and looked unsafe and not to any code. There was an electrical outlet fastened to a water spigot where water could flow over it. Trash bins were locked. There was dog poop in our campsite. The sites themselves were so small there was barely room to exit our small trailer. No picnic tables and no room to put a table if you have one. No room to erect or open an awning. Most campers were people living there in run down rigs. Drives so narrow that it's hard to drive down them.
vanderruss
this properties saving grace are the property Mangers, Sam and her husband. The reservation system is horrible so book through the website. It was a convenient place for us to stay, but needed touch ups in cleaning. Overall we had a good experience.
Carol Kirkley
This place is awesome with great views and great service. Any questions I've had were answered within a few minutes of texting the main number or the resident host. I thought I'd have internet issues but they resolved that quickly. The highway noise is not great but the rooms are insulated enough not to hear it too much when the door is closed. The laundry on site is awesome and much better priced than a typical laundromat. There's a medium sized fridge which is great if you're long term. A/C or mini-split is newer and works great. This is a quiet place most hours of the day but if you work long hours like I do, you miss a lot of the neighbor's chatter.
Karrie Lynn
Very kind & friendly booking agent & camp host. Noteworthy: pictures imply an Arkansas River front view, it’s not. The river is across the road. That being said, they have porches setup for each room with glorious Mountain View’s & a fire pit. Dog friendly & less than 10m from Salida! Would stay again!