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
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
Michelle A
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
The canyon was beautiful! Much greener than expected. The roads are a mess! Made it through with my old 2WD Camry Wagon with some interesting driving. Campers beware: you can ONLY pay for a campsite online, which is not stated anywhere online! There is NO way to avoid the excessive $8 fees for the reservation on an $11 campsite (or $5 if you read the general information online until you get the reservation system and find out it will cost $19). I don't object to the $11, it's the $8 in fees for reserving online that I really don't understand. If there is no way for me to only pay $11, then the site costs $19 and that is that. I had planned to pay cash on arrival, and was lucky my companion had enough signal to make the reservation as we stood at the kiosk that previously accepted cash.
Michelle A
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
The canyon was beautiful! Much greener than expected. The roads are a mess! Made it through with my old 2WD Camry Wagon with some interesting driving. Campers beware: you can ONLY pay for a campsite online, which is not stated anywhere online! There is NO way to avoid the excessive $8 fees for the reservation on an $11 campsite (or $5 if you read the general information online until you get the reservation system and find out it will cost $19). I don't object to the $11, it's the $8 in fees for reserving online that I really don't understand. If there is no way for me to only pay $11, then the site costs $19 and that is that. I had planned to pay cash on arrival, and was lucky my companion had enough signal to make the reservation as we stood at the kiosk that previously accepted cash.
diana l
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Great campground super close to climbing at Penitente. Upper loop is quieter, with a more remote feeling. Beware the road might be pretty rough. August 2022 it had deep ruts and large washed out sections. One negative about this campground: all sites are reserve only - no walk in sites, even in off-season times. You can book same day, but there is no service at the campground, so check before you lose service; or drive back down the road a bit for service.
diana l
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: Main Loop
Great campground super close to climbing at Penitente. Upper loop is quieter, with a more remote feeling. Beware the road might be pretty rough. August 2022 it had deep ruts and large washed out sections. One negative about this campground: all sites are reserve only - no walk in sites, even in off-season times. You can book same day, but there is no service at the campground, so check before you lose service; or drive back down the road a bit for service.
Mark J
VerifiedAugust 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Arrived and our reserved site was taken. There was nothing at the site that said we had it reserved. Uncomfortable conversation but they finally moved out of our site. Dumpsters were locked and road into campground was very washout.
Mark J
VerifiedAugust 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Arrived and our reserved site was taken. There was nothing at the site that said we had it reserved. Uncomfortable conversation but they finally moved out of our site. Dumpsters were locked and road into campground was very washout.
Amy K
VerifiedAugust 12, 2022 • Stayed at: Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
this is a great campground near Del Norte with clean facilities. Great rock formations in a quiet area.
Amy K
VerifiedAugust 12, 2022 • Stayed at: Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
this is a great campground near Del Norte with clean facilities. Great rock formations in a quiet area.
Cassandra S
VerifiedJuly 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
Great spot - appreciate having access to water, although it is a tiny drive out of the campground to get it.
Warning, there is no physical means of paying for your campsite here. You must use a smartphone or other device to reserve and pay for your site. Unfortunately, the service at the campsite is also hit and miss.
Cassandra S
VerifiedJuly 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
Great spot - appreciate having access to water, although it is a tiny drive out of the campground to get it.
Warning, there is no physical means of paying for your campsite here. You must use a smartphone or other device to reserve and pay for your site. Unfortunately, the service at the campsite is also hit and miss.
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 9, 2026
