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
Jennifer M
VerifiedNovember 30, 2025 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Main Loop
I was there on a quiet weekend which was great. Excellent hiking nearby in the canyon. Sites are large and spaced out. Bathrooms clean. Beautiful views.
Joshua K
VerifiedNovember 20, 2025 • Stayed at: Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
Wonderful campsite
Joshua K
VerifiedNovember 20, 2025 • Stayed at: Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
Wonderful campsite
Denise L
VerifiedNovember 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful campground.
Denise L
VerifiedNovember 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful campground.
Bryant A
VerifiedNovember 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Camp hosts are TERRIBLE - families beware and do not camp at site 1 which is next to the camp host site.
The camp hosts have 3 aggressive dogs that will bark until late in the night and if your kids happen to wonder close to their campsite they dogs will attack them. When I kindly went up to them and asked the guy if their dogs would be barking all night because we have 2 toddlers trying to sleep, he cursed me out, saying his dogs will bark at strangers, cars and people riding bikes. He blamed us for his dogs barking and said they wouldn't be stoping it.
The husband yelled at mountain bikers riding by, saying they were antagonizing his dogs. We've been camping for decades and never experienced camp hosts this bad. We had to move campsites.
Bryant A
VerifiedNovember 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Camp hosts are TERRIBLE - families beware and do not camp at site 1 which is next to the camp host site.
The camp hosts have 3 aggressive dogs that will bark until late in the night and if your kids happen to wonder close to their campsite they dogs will attack them. When I kindly went up to them and asked the guy if their dogs would be barking all night because we have 2 toddlers trying to sleep, he cursed me out, saying his dogs will bark at strangers, cars and people riding bikes. He blamed us for his dogs barking and said they wouldn't be stoping it.
The husband yelled at mountain bikers riding by, saying they were antagonizing his dogs. We've been camping for decades and never experienced camp hosts this bad. We had to move campsites.
Haley A
VerifiedNovember 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
The camp hosts were extrenely inappropriate. We were staying in site 1.They had dogs barking whenever anyone walked or drove by. You could hear it at every camp site. It was very unpleasant. We left early.
Melissa C
VerifiedNovember 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
I love this campground and have been here 10+ times, but was very disappointed by the recent camp host. The camp hosts were rude, unhelpful, and had 3 aggressive dogs (tied to trees) that barked excessively. I actually had friends camped at site 1 near them that had to move because of their dogs. I definitely expected better for such a lovely and well-established site. Would not recommend.
Haley A
VerifiedNovember 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
The camp hosts were extrenely inappropriate. We were staying in site 1.They had dogs barking whenever anyone walked or drove by. You could hear it at every camp site. It was very unpleasant. We left early.
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
