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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Penitente Canyon Campground.
Rates, Sites & Availability
17 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
17 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
Desiree w
VerifiedMay 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Driveway lengths are not accurate. They are listed shorted than they actually are .
Desiree w
VerifiedMay 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Driveway lengths are not accurate. They are listed shorted than they actually are .
Vicki L
VerifiedApril 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
This campground is in a very quiet area with only the sounds of nature and airplanes. The campsites are spread apart with lots of native boulders providing some privacy. It has a great view of the moon and stars at night. The trails in the canyons are steep and rocky with some rock scrambling required. The popular trails are easy to follow by watching for the rock cairns, but remote trails can be hard to follow. Remember to take a map with you to understand where the trail confidence markers are indication since most trails aren't labeled. Bathrooms were very clean before all the campers arrived on the weekend. This area has great rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking options.
Vicki L
VerifiedApril 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
This campground is in a very quiet area with only the sounds of nature and airplanes. The campsites are spread apart with lots of native boulders providing some privacy. It has a great view of the moon and stars at night. The trails in the canyons are steep and rocky with some rock scrambling required. The popular trails are easy to follow by watching for the rock cairns, but remote trails can be hard to follow. Remember to take a map with you to understand where the trail confidence markers are indication since most trails aren't labeled. Bathrooms were very clean before all the campers arrived on the weekend. This area has great rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking options.
Donald B
VerifiedOctober 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
I wish it was first come first serve. Many camp sites were not being used and some people did not cancel. I wish there was a way to cancel so we know what actual sites are open.
Donald B
VerifiedOctober 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
I wish it was first come first serve. Many camp sites were not being used and some people did not cancel. I wish there was a way to cancel so we know what actual sites are open.
Rob T
VerifiedOctober 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Main Loop
Wonderful remote campsite! Views, history, clean and little known. Bring water, watch for snakes!
Rob T
VerifiedOctober 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Main Loop
Wonderful remote campsite! Views, history, clean and little known. Bring water, watch for snakes!
James K
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: Main Loop
Nice clean campground. Great hiking, biking, climbing. Bullshit that the site says it costs $11 when in fact it costs $18. There are free dispersed camping areas nearby.
James K
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: Main Loop
Nice clean campground. Great hiking, biking, climbing. Bullshit that the site says it costs $11 when in fact it costs $18. There are free dispersed camping areas nearby.
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
