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259 reviews
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.
Based on guest feedback
4.1
Based on 259 reviews
Showing 259 reviews
June 24, 2025 Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Be warned the chipmunks in space #4 are bold and malicious. It was a constant battle to keep them out of my engine compartment even with spray and electronic repellants. They’ve caused damage to wiring in the past. The bugs were also unusually bad this year.
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June 3, 2025 Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful, well maintained campground!
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June 3, 2025 Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful, well maintained campground!
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May 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!
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May 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!
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May 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.
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May 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.
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May 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!
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May 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!
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May 18, 2025 Stayed at: Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
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Blm San Luis Valley Field Office, Monte Vista, CO 81144 United States
Elevation: 2,413 ft
From U.S. 285, turn west onto Saguache County Road G. After 6 mi you will pass the La Garita Trading Post. Go another 0.5 mi to a Y intersection; take the left fork (County Road 38A). The entrance to the recreation area is another 0.5 mi, on your ...
From U.S. 285, turn west onto Saguache County Road G. After 6 mi you will pass the La Garita Trading Post. Go another 0.5 mi to a Y intersection; take the left fork (County Road 38A). The entrance to the recreation area is another 0.5 mi, on your right. Elevation = 7.9 ft.
The campground is accessible via U.S. Highway 285, which is approximately 6.5 miles away.
The closest entrance is: Great Sand Dunes Entrance Station
Approximate drive: 51.6 mi · over 1 hr (89 min)
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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Population: 4,141
Nearby city: Pueblo, CO
Approx. 95 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 7,664 ft
Monte Vista, CO
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