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
No available sites
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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
John W
VerifiedOctober 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
The campground is nice. We enjoyed hiking the canyon. There is a nearby country church with a fabulous outdoor rosary to walk.
John W
VerifiedOctober 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
The campground is nice. We enjoyed hiking the canyon. There is a nearby country church with a fabulous outdoor rosary to walk.
Andrea W
VerifiedOctober 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Stunning.
Andrea W
VerifiedOctober 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Stunning.
Alex B
VerifiedOctober 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Main Loop
What a beautiful spot! Great hiking and hiking trails and the climbing looked interesting, although short routes overall. Bathrooms were in good shape, road and campsites were well maintained. Some small trash around, but this is a camper problem not a site problem. Thanks!
Alex B
VerifiedOctober 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Main Loop
What a beautiful spot! Great hiking and hiking trails and the climbing looked interesting, although short routes overall. Bathrooms were in good shape, road and campsites were well maintained. Some small trash around, but this is a camper problem not a site problem. Thanks!
Tom M
VerifiedOctober 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: Main Loop
Very nice primitive camp site…difficult to find, however! Lots of room for settling up. Great place for biking!
Tom M
VerifiedOctober 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: Main Loop
Very nice primitive camp site…difficult to find, however! Lots of room for settling up. Great place for biking!
Martie S
VerifiedOctober 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Main Loop
The DarkSky Colorado Board and guests had a great time! The nght sky was beautiful! The only glitch was that a group -not with the DarkSky Colorado Board- showed up and said they were in campsite 7. This group said that they had booked through rec.gov. Fortunately, the camper from our group was able to camp with a couple in our group at campsite 8. He wanted to resolve the situation in a peaceful way. However, he asked me to bring this double-booking matter to your attention.
The DarkSky Colorado Board and guests applaud the local BLM for working with us to ensure a wonderful campoing experience!
Many thanks!
Martie S
VerifiedOctober 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Main Loop
The DarkSky Colorado Board and guests had a great time! The nght sky was beautiful! The only glitch was that a group -not with the DarkSky Colorado Board- showed up and said they were in campsite 7. This group said that they had booked through rec.gov. Fortunately, the camper from our group was able to camp with a couple in our group at campsite 8. He wanted to resolve the situation in a peaceful way. However, he asked me to bring this double-booking matter to your attention.
The DarkSky Colorado Board and guests applaud the local BLM for working with us to ensure a wonderful campoing experience!
Many thanks!
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
