Tent Sites
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
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
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Closed periods
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Currently open - Apr 1 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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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
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Site Details
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17 Sites Available
Site
Price
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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
⛺
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
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
Connie C
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2024 Stayed at: 5, Loop: Main Loop
We took the Penitente Canyon loop trail which was very enjoyable. We saw rock climbers scaling the rocks, the interesting rock formations from the volcanic activity from long ago, the changing plant life as the altitude increased and saw some scat big enough to be bear. Highly recommend this trail.
Helpful
Connie C
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2024 Stayed at: 5, Loop: Main Loop
We took the Penitente Canyon loop trail which was very enjoyable. We saw rock climbers scaling the rocks, the interesting rock formations from the volcanic activity from long ago, the changing plant life as the altitude increased and saw some scat big enough to be bear. Highly recommend this trail.
Helpful
Robert S
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2024 Stayed at: Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful, remote location nearby a picturesque rock canyon paradise.
The campground is nicely spread out. The only issue we've found there was no host on duty during our stay.
Also, water pump is outside the campground- a short drive away
Helpful
Robert S
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2024 Stayed at: Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful, remote location nearby a picturesque rock canyon paradise.
The campground is nicely spread out. The only issue we've found there was no host on duty during our stay.
Also, water pump is outside the campground- a short drive away
Helpful
Stan H
VerifiedAugust 19, 2024 Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
Very interesting and well managed campground. Geologically unique, with trails from the campground area to observe the volcanic rock formations. Peaceful in the evenings, not too many RVs with motorized generators when we were there. Fortunately most of the sites have small parking areas. Be snake aware/prepared when hiking or climbing. Trails are grown up in places, hard to see what is there.
Helpful
Stan H
VerifiedAugust 19, 2024 Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
Very interesting and well managed campground. Geologically unique, with trails from the campground area to observe the volcanic rock formations. Peaceful in the evenings, not too many RVs with motorized generators when we were there. Fortunately most of the sites have small parking areas. Be snake aware/prepared when hiking or climbing. Trails are grown up in places, hard to see what is there.
Helpful
Phillip B
VerifiedJuly 30, 2024 Stayed at: 2, Loop: Main Loop
campground was immaculate and gorgeous area
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
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Last updated: October 24, 2026
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Explore Monte Vista, CO
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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