Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates17 total sites
Tent Sites
17 sites
About Penitente Canyon Campground
Number of accommodations: 17
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
17 Sites Available
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Site Details
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17 Sites Available
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Reviews (246)
What Guests Are Saying
Penitente Canyon Campground is praised for its stunning rock formations, beautiful sunsets, and quiet, secluded atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for stargazing and hiking. The campground features clean facilities, well-stocked bathrooms, and ample hiking and biking trails nearby. However, some visitors reported issues with aggressive dogs from the camp hosts and challenges in finding certain campsites, which may detract from the overall experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Penitente Canyon Campground is praised for its stunning rock formations, beautiful sunsets, and quiet, secluded atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for stargazing and hiking. The campground features clean facilities, well-stocked bathrooms, and ample hiking and biking trails nearby. However, some visitors reported issues with aggressive dogs from the camp hosts and challenges in finding certain campsites, which may detract from the overall experience.
Review Summary
Dan B
VerifiedAugust 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Quiet and beautiful! Sunsets are gorgeous! Not tons of shade so bring your own. Clean bathrooms and well stocked. Keep in mind that the ground is very rocky and you’ll likely only get a couple stakes in. Just being some big rocks and anchor your tent as it can get breezy.
Lydia G
VerifiedAugust 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop
Gorgeous!
Jeffery H
VerifiedAugust 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Super special place! The rock formations and canyons are wonderful- great for rock climbing though we didn’t do that. La Garita store/ restaurant is nearby. There is no water at the camp so prepare for that. A very low key self guided hike takes you through the main canyon. Not crowded even on a Friday/ Saturday visit.
Greg F
VerifiedAugust 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful area: rock formations, pines and junipers. Sites feel secluded. Beautiful views of stars and the outline of the Sangre's at night. Nice hike through the narrow canyon with lot's of foliage. Water available. Bring a flyswatter and/or Yard Guard spray however.
MIKE K
VerifiedAugust 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Hidden gem of a campground. Our spots (1-5) each were enclosed by large boulders / cliffs, providing a private amphitheater for each site. Plenty of hiking and mountain biking with views of the San Luis Valley and the mountains across the valley. High enough in altitude to escape the summer heat. We will be back.
Darrell K
VerifiedJuly 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful, quiet, amazing night sky. Great mt biking.
Sarah V
VerifiedJuly 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful spot, clean facilities. Not much shade for tent, but otherwise setup was fine. Very few other campers when we were there, so if you want quiet, this is great place!
Cynthia O
VerifiedJuly 12, 2026 • Stayed at: Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
This was a great group campsite, with access to hiking trails and well maintained toilets. The area is beautiful. We appreciated that there are no RV hookups at this campground.
Sherry H
VerifiedJuly 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful campground!! Even though there were no showers (we camped for 3 nights) we had a great time!! There was a water spicket & vaulted toilets. Very quiet, dark skies, we had a great time!!
John H
VerifiedJuly 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
Very nice and secluded...but campsites 5-14 were hard to find...we had a reservation for campsite #14, but couldn't find it, nobody was in 2, 3 or 4 for the whole three nights that we stayed there, so we just stayed in campsite 2, which was great. The rock formations/outcroppings helped prevent the wind that is so common in the beautiful San Luis Valley. Unfortunately, the last night we were there there was a fire ban because it was so hot, dry and windy...and half of Colorado was on fire!
Location Penitente Canyon Campground
Address:
Blm San Luis Valley Field Office
Monte Vista, CO, 81144
United States
From U.S. 285, turn west onto Saguache County Road G. After 6 miles you will pass the La Garita Trading Post. Go another 0.5 miles to a Y intersection; take the left fork (County Road 38A). The entrance to the recreation area is another 0.5 miles, on your right. Elevation = 7,930 ft.
The campground is accessible via U.S. Highway 285, which is approximately 6.5 miles away.
Elevation: 2413 feet
25 mi drive to downtown Monte Vista (about 28 min)
Policies & Rules
Pets
- Pets must always be kept under control.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: September 9, 2026
