Tent Sites
tony h
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 Stayed at: 5, Loop: Main Loop
Basic campground and facilities. Off the beaten path.
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
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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
No sites found matching your criteria.
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Site Details
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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
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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
⛺
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
Karen H
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
The canyon is beautiful and the campground is very spacious.
Helpful
tony h
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 Stayed at: 5, Loop: Main Loop
Basic campground and facilities. Off the beaten path.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
Laura H
VerifiedMay 15, 2024 Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful location. But be prepared for strong winds!
Helpful
Laura H
VerifiedMay 15, 2024 Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful location. But be prepared for strong winds!
Helpful
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!
Helpful
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!
Helpful
John H
VerifiedApril 15, 2024 Stayed at: 14, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful spot, great little hike on the blue trail
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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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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