OutReserve

Penitente Canyon Campground

Climber in Penitente Canyon adjacent to pictograph of the Virgen de Guadalupe
Penitente Campground Map w/ RV Spur Lengths
Penitente Canyon Camping
Penitente Canyon Recreation Area Map w/ Trails
Camp Host Site

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 miles 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.

Number of accommodations: 17

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 1 to Dec 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

17 Sites Available

Site
Price
1, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
10, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
11, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
12, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
13, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
14, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
15, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
2, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
3, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
4, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
5, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
6, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
7, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
8, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
9, Loop: Main Loop
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
15 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
15 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (228)

What Guests Are Saying

Penitente Canyon Campground offers a clean and well-maintained environment with friendly camp hosts and excellent access to beautiful hiking and biking trails. Many campers appreciate the spacious sites, amenities like clean toilets, and the unique rock formations in the area. However, some negative feedback highlights issues with the camp hosts' behavior and poor cell phone reception, suggesting that visitors may want to make reservations in advance.

Review Summary

4.1
228 reviews
5
46.5%
106
4
33.3%
76
3
7.9%
18
2
3.5%
8
1
8.8%
20

Katherine J

Verified

July 6, 2022 Stayed at: 13, Loop: Main Loop

4

Very pretty area

Katherine J

Verified

July 6, 2022 Stayed at: 13, Loop: Main Loop

4

Very pretty area

Jerry C

Verified

July 5, 2022 Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop

4

The campground is remote enough to enjoy getting away. The night sky’s are beautiful. Hiking the canyon trails was an excellent daily adventure. The sites were very clean as well as the toilets. We spent four nights in site six in our truck camper. I don’t recommend site 6 for an RV. Site 11 and 13 were beautiful and large. Others were more suited for RVs. Not 6. No water at sites or in campground. There is a well house and spigot as you enter the recreation are where you can fill up. Good water. I would for sure visit again.

Jerry C

Verified

July 5, 2022 Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop

4

The campground is remote enough to enjoy getting away. The night sky’s are beautiful. Hiking the canyon trails was an excellent daily adventure. The sites were very clean as well as the toilets. We spent four nights in site six in our truck camper. I don’t recommend site 6 for an RV. Site 11 and 13 were beautiful and large. Others were more suited for RVs. Not 6. No water at sites or in campground. There is a well house and spigot as you enter the recreation are where you can fill up. Good water. I would for sure visit again.

Lauren H

Verified

June 20, 2022 Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop

5

Really great spot. Pretty rocks and comfortable. Campsites are large. Need to walk/drive to fill up water but not a big problem

Lauren H

Verified

June 20, 2022 Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop

5

Really great spot. Pretty rocks and comfortable. Campsites are large. Need to walk/drive to fill up water but not a big problem

Natalie C

Verified

June 15, 2022 Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop

5

The spot we picked was perfect! Beautiful views, clean bathrooms, clean campsite. It was great!

Natalie C

Verified

June 15, 2022 Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop

5

The spot we picked was perfect! Beautiful views, clean bathrooms, clean campsite. It was great!

Dakota D

Verified

June 11, 2022 Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop

4

Nice campground, but our reserved site was not marked as reserved and there was no campground host to be found. We were hoping we might ask the host about fire regulations and buy some firewood.

Dakota D

Verified

June 11, 2022 Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop

4

Nice campground, but our reserved site was not marked as reserved and there was no campground host to be found. We were hoping we might ask the host about fire regulations and buy some firewood.

Location Penitente Canyon Campground

Address:
Blm San Luis Valley Field Office
Monte Vista, CO, 81144
United States

Highway access

The campground is accessible via U.S. Highway 285, which is approximately 6.5 miles away.

Latitude & Longitude: 37.8418 / -106.28

Elevation: 2413 feet

Policies & Rules

Pets

  • Pets must always be kept under control.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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Managed by Bureau of Land Management