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
No available sites
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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
Sarah L
VerifiedJuly 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful spot with lots of fun recreational activities close by. Was there last weekend and there is not a lot of shade and lots of bugs! Otherwise a super fun place!
Sarah L
VerifiedJuly 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful spot with lots of fun recreational activities close by. Was there last weekend and there is not a lot of shade and lots of bugs! Otherwise a super fun place!
Steven B
VerifiedJuly 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Penitente Canyon is an amazing place. The campsites along the road to the day use parking lot are widely spaced, flat and spacious. They get some drive-by traffic during the day. Never found the water supply.
Steven B
VerifiedJuly 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Penitente Canyon is an amazing place. The campsites along the road to the day use parking lot are widely spaced, flat and spacious. They get some drive-by traffic during the day. Never found the water supply.
Leah C
VerifiedJuly 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Campers beware- there’s a group of locals who chose to set up camp in our spot without a reservation. When we approached them, they were creepy (a male asking me as a female to set up my camp and spend the night with them) and rude. There was no campground host and the office closes at 4:30 apparently so there was no one to contact. We felt uncomfortable and were forced to stay elsewhere.
Leah C
VerifiedJuly 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Campers beware- there’s a group of locals who chose to set up camp in our spot without a reservation. When we approached them, they were creepy (a male asking me as a female to set up my camp and spend the night with them) and rude. There was no campground host and the office closes at 4:30 apparently so there was no one to contact. We felt uncomfortable and were forced to stay elsewhere.
Lisa S
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Only advanced online booking is possible. No reception at the campground. Small but cute area. Nice canyon.
Lisa S
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Only advanced online booking is possible. No reception at the campground. Small but cute area. Nice canyon.
Mike R
VerifiedJune 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop
Definitely would recommend
Mike R
VerifiedJune 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop
Definitely would recommend
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
