Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates17 total sites
Tent Sites
17 sites
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 (246)
What Guests Are Saying
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.
What Guests Are Saying
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.
Review Summary
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!
Heather B
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
Great campground, I've been here twice. The place is always very clean and quiet. Spots are spaced out. #14 is one of the most private ones.
Heather B
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
Great campground, I've been here twice. The place is always very clean and quiet. Spots are spaced out. #14 is one of the most private ones.
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.
Elevation: 2413 feet
25 mi drive to downtown Monte Vista (about 28 min)
Policies & Rules
Pets
- Pets must always be kept under control.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: September 6, 2026
