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
Ian S
VerifiedMay 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
GO TO THE LA GARITA TRADING POST! All natural fresh food and homemade donuts on Thursdays! Unbelievable! The site had an AMAZING hike. “Penitente Canyon Loop”. Take a trip down to see the ancient Indian pictograph painting on the rock within the campground. The Natural Arch is only an hour away! Worth the drive. Cleanest vault toilets we have seen! Not crowded and breathtaking views! Highly recommend.
Note - when we went in late May, the well was broken. No water. We drove to the La Garita trading post for water!
Ian S
VerifiedMay 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
GO TO THE LA GARITA TRADING POST! All natural fresh food and homemade donuts on Thursdays! Unbelievable! The site had an AMAZING hike. “Penitente Canyon Loop”. Take a trip down to see the ancient Indian pictograph painting on the rock within the campground. The Natural Arch is only an hour away! Worth the drive. Cleanest vault toilets we have seen! Not crowded and breathtaking views! Highly recommend.
Note - when we went in late May, the well was broken. No water. We drove to the La Garita trading post for water!
David W
VerifiedMay 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop
Great location with clean a campground and bathrooms. There was garbage available onsite. Neighbors were considerate. Lots of cactus in the area we camped. Didn't see any water available but we planned for that. The campsites themselves had large variation in size and parking quality.
The climbing area nearby is great with quite a bit of steep terrain and some easy routes for little ones. Beware of rattlesnakes.
David W
VerifiedMay 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop
Great location with clean a campground and bathrooms. There was garbage available onsite. Neighbors were considerate. Lots of cactus in the area we camped. Didn't see any water available but we planned for that. The campsites themselves had large variation in size and parking quality.
The climbing area nearby is great with quite a bit of steep terrain and some easy routes for little ones. Beware of rattlesnakes.
Suzanne W
VerifiedMay 23, 2025 • Stayed at: Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
We LOVE penitente canyon and the proximity to the campground. We stayed in group site 2 and probably won’t do that again. It was hard to find flat spots for tents and our pop up camper. Also got tiring going up and down a hill to the bathroom. Also of note, we found a rattle snake in our campsite, so be alert if you go in May. But otherwise, pit toilet was clean and the area itself is so beautiful!
Suzanne W
VerifiedMay 23, 2025 • Stayed at: Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
We LOVE penitente canyon and the proximity to the campground. We stayed in group site 2 and probably won’t do that again. It was hard to find flat spots for tents and our pop up camper. Also got tiring going up and down a hill to the bathroom. Also of note, we found a rattle snake in our campsite, so be alert if you go in May. But otherwise, pit toilet was clean and the area itself is so beautiful!
Sarah P
VerifiedMay 18, 2025 • Stayed at: Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
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Sarah P
VerifiedMay 18, 2025 • Stayed at: Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
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Kate A
VerifiedMay 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Quiet, clean. Interesting area nice trails well worth a visit.
Kate A
VerifiedMay 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Quiet, clean. Interesting area nice trails well worth a visit.
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 6, 2026
