Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
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 (228)
What Guests Are Saying
Penitente Canyon Campground offers a clean and well-maintained environment with friendly camp hosts and excellent access to beautiful hiking and biking trails. Many campers appreciate the spacious sites, amenities like clean toilets, and the unique rock formations in the area. However, some negative feedback highlights issues with the camp hosts' behavior and poor cell phone reception, suggesting that visitors may want to make reservations in advance.
What Guests Are Saying
Penitente Canyon Campground offers a clean and well-maintained environment with friendly camp hosts and excellent access to beautiful hiking and biking trails. Many campers appreciate the spacious sites, amenities like clean toilets, and the unique rock formations in the area. However, some negative feedback highlights issues with the camp hosts' behavior and poor cell phone reception, suggesting that visitors may want to make reservations in advance.
Review Summary
tony h
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: Main Loop
Basic campground and facilities. Off the beaten path.
Karen H
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
The canyon is beautiful and the campground is very spacious.
Terry S
VerifiedJuly 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
This place is wonderful. We did our booking online prior to arrival so no last-minute stress there. The campgrounds are quiet, easy to access and spacious. And the bathrooms, per my wife, were clean beyond expectations. We enjoyed the hiking on nearby trails, the wildlife...and the serenity. Signage is prevelant and the views are worth the drive. We'll be back for annual trips.
Terry S
VerifiedJuly 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
This place is wonderful. We did our booking online prior to arrival so no last-minute stress there. The campgrounds are quiet, easy to access and spacious. And the bathrooms, per my wife, were clean beyond expectations. We enjoyed the hiking on nearby trails, the wildlife...and the serenity. Signage is prevelant and the views are worth the drive. We'll be back for annual trips.
Laura H
VerifiedMay 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful location. But be prepared for strong winds!
Laura H
VerifiedMay 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful location. But be prepared for strong winds!
Ellen S
VerifiedApril 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Very quiet this time of year (mid April) with only one other campsite occupied in the main loop on a Thursday night. We were in spot 7 which didn't really have a pull in off the loop for our camper van - you pretty much just pulled off into the area alongside the road. Worked fine for us tho and appreciated the easy access to the bike trail. Whoever is taking care of the campsite needs to be commended - the bathrooms throughout the campsites were about the cleanest (and NOT smelliest) bathrooms we've ever experienced. Thank you! Also appreciate the convenient trash cans. The Blue run mountain biking was a bit sporty for us first time out this year. Made a wrong turn and ended up in witch's canyon which was also really cool until we got to a point where we could no longer ride. The walk through the canyon was beautiful and fun to watch the rock climbers. Overall, a great outing!
Ellen S
VerifiedApril 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Very quiet this time of year (mid April) with only one other campsite occupied in the main loop on a Thursday night. We were in spot 7 which didn't really have a pull in off the loop for our camper van - you pretty much just pulled off into the area alongside the road. Worked fine for us tho and appreciated the easy access to the bike trail. Whoever is taking care of the campsite needs to be commended - the bathrooms throughout the campsites were about the cleanest (and NOT smelliest) bathrooms we've ever experienced. Thank you! Also appreciate the convenient trash cans. The Blue run mountain biking was a bit sporty for us first time out this year. Made a wrong turn and ended up in witch's canyon which was also really cool until we got to a point where we could no longer ride. The walk through the canyon was beautiful and fun to watch the rock climbers. Overall, a great outing!
John H
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful spot, great little hike on the blue trail
John H
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful spot, great little hike on the blue trail
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 37.8418 / -106.28
Elevation: 2413 feet
Policies & Rules
Pets
- Pets must always be kept under control.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 4, 2026
