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
John P
VerifiedOctober 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful area, well maintained, however, a lot of goat head burrs in some campsites.
John P
VerifiedOctober 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful area, well maintained, however, a lot of goat head burrs in some campsites.
Eric U
VerifiedOctober 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: Main Loop
Great place. One thing that could have made it better was the bathroom. There were hundreds of flies in there. Made me not want to use it.
Eric U
VerifiedOctober 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: Main Loop
Great place. One thing that could have made it better was the bathroom. There were hundreds of flies in there. Made me not want to use it.
Gilbert K
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Main Loop
Spacious and very quiet. Water available and toilets good
Gilbert K
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Main Loop
Spacious and very quiet. Water available and toilets good
Ken M
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
Penitente is a gem! However, noxious weeds are taking over the Penitente area. It's a big problem but certainly the BLM has the knowledge to address the issue and undoubtedly citizens could be engaged in the effort.
Ken M
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
Penitente is a gem! However, noxious weeds are taking over the Penitente area. It's a big problem but certainly the BLM has the knowledge to address the issue and undoubtedly citizens could be engaged in the effort.
Lori D
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: Main Loop
We booked site #13 through Recreation.gov. When we got to the campground we could not get our truck camper up the very rutted and rocky road to the campsite. We walked to #13 and there was no reserved placard on the post for that site. Anyone could have already been in that site that we reserved and paid for in advance. There was no host. There were no payment envelopes at the entrance station and the slot to accept payments was taped off, so why did I bother to reserve online when anyone can stay anywhere in that campground for free? It was a total fiasco all around.
Lori D
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: Main Loop
We booked site #13 through Recreation.gov. When we got to the campground we could not get our truck camper up the very rutted and rocky road to the campsite. We walked to #13 and there was no reserved placard on the post for that site. Anyone could have already been in that site that we reserved and paid for in advance. There was no host. There were no payment envelopes at the entrance station and the slot to accept payments was taped off, so why did I bother to reserve online when anyone can stay anywhere in that campground for free? It was a total fiasco all around.
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
