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
Janet C
VerifiedJuly 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
Wonderful, small campground with large sites. We spent 3 nights at Site #6 and because we have a 14' camper, it was perfect. A larger camper might have had issues with finding a level spot, but the view was spectacular. Our only issue was the condition of the road leading into the campground and the lack of signage. It is not a huge campground, so we were able to find our site, but the roads inside the campground were challenging as well. However, we definitely appreciated the clean, well-stocked vault toilets!
Myoung Kil L
VerifiedJuly 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
캠프 사이트는 넓고, 신기한 환경에서 무수히 쏟아지는 별들 보며, 다시한번 자연의 아름다움을 느끼게 해 주는 곳입니다.
Giuseppe B
VerifiedJune 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop
Just out of La Garita, quiet and not crowded. Clean vault toilet and wide sites. Unbelievable views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Neil H
VerifiedJune 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
Test
Thomas D
VerifiedJune 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
Our assigned site was far from level and some idiot let their dog run free and pooped in the site. We moved down low—lost the great view but it was level. Huge winds! Friendly campground host.
Mark J
VerifiedMay 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
Always a great experience at Penitente Canyon. A couple of concerns though I need to mention. Campground host dogs seemed a bit aggressive when I approached the host site. She said they didn’t like bikes but at this particular campground that will be the norm. The other issue we had was access to our site. There was a big dip coming off the road into site 4 which made clearance an issue.
Jesse P
VerifiedMay 25, 2026 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: Main Loop
Great camping at Juniper campground. Great trails, beautifully kept grounds.
Linda W
VerifiedMay 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
Super helpful and friendly camp host . Place was clean and hiking is a walk away.
Ruth G
VerifiedMay 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Quiet campground with good access to trails. Not too far off the road and great hosts
Robert M
VerifiedApril 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Great campsites and amenities. Poor cell phone reception
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
