California · Camping

Howards Gulch

Facilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October.
season
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is Howards Gulch open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Modoc National Forest.

  • Forest Fire Restrictions 2026 have been lifted as of 09/27/2026

    Agency alert covering Modoc National Forest · Order 09-26-01 · USFS · Modoc National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Modoc National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 4,709 ft
  • Devils Garden Ranger DistrictModoc National Forest

Howards Gulch is a Forest Service campground in the Devils Garden Ranger District of Modoc National Forest in northeastern California. It sits about 5.6 miles from the Canby weather station, which sits roughly 400 feet lower than the campground, so temperatures at the site run a little cooler than the station's typical averages. The most comfortable months for a visit are late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Canby station show May highs around 69°F and September highs around 80°F, while July and August average in the upper 80s. The campground has vault toilets, and a fee is charged for stays. The Howards Gulch Trail starts just 0.1 mile away. Within a few miles you'll also find the Duncan South and Duncan North boating sites for lake fishing, and the Pit River Trail is about 8 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Howards Gulch

    Best months: May–June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      42° / 20°

    2. Feb

      48° / 23°

    3. Mar

      53° / 27°

    4. Apr

      59° / 30°

    5. May

      69° / 37°

    6. Jun

      78° / 43°

    7. Jul

      88° / 48°

    8. Aug

      87° / 45°

    9. Sep

      80° / 38°

    10. Oct

      67° / 28°

    11. Nov

      52° / 23°

    12. Dec

      41° / 19°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Canby 3 Sw, CA, 5.6 mi away at 4,310 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.