Tent Sites
Sarah P
VerifiedMay 18, 2025 Stayed at: Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
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Helpful
Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
About Penitente Canyon Campground
The canyonlands of Penitente Canyon offer a blend of peaceful surroundings and diverse recreation opportunities less than 10 mi from a major highway. Although the BLM manages the 4,552-acre Penitente Canyon primarily for rock climbers, the area also offers opportunities for heritage tourists, mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians.
Available sites
17 total sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 1 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Missing information?
Rates, Sites & Availability
Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.
17 Sites Available
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1, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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10, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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11, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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12, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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13, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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14, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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15, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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2, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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3, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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4, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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5, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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6, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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7, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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8, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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9, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
17 Sites Available
Site
Price
⛺
1, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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10, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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11, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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12, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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13, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
14, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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15, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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2, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
3, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
4, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
5, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
6, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
7, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
8, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
9, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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
259 reviews
Summary
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
Overall rating
Based on 259 reviews
5 stars
47.5% (123)
4 stars
33.2% (86)
3 stars
8.1% (21)
2 stars
3.1% (8)
1 star
8.1% (21)
Showing 259 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Kate A
VerifiedMay 6, 2025 Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Quiet, clean. Interesting area nice trails well worth a visit.
Helpful
Kate A
VerifiedMay 6, 2025 Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Quiet, clean. Interesting area nice trails well worth a visit.
Helpful
Desiree w
VerifiedMay 4, 2025 Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Driveway lengths are not accurate. They are listed shorted than they actually are .
Helpful
Desiree w
VerifiedMay 4, 2025 Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Driveway lengths are not accurate. They are listed shorted than they actually are .
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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!
Helpful
Location & Directions for Penitente Canyon Campground
Blm San Luis Valley Field Office, Monte Vista, CO 81144 United States
Elevation: 2,413 ft
Getting There
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.
Highway access
The campground is accessible via U.S. Highway 285, which is approximately 6.5 miles away.
Near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
The closest entrance is: Great Sand Dunes Entrance Station
Approximate drive: 51.6 mi · over 1 hr (89 min)
Policies & Rules
Pets
- Pets must always be kept under control.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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Managed by the Bureau of Land Management