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
Jerry C
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
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
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop
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
VerifiedJune 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop
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
VerifiedJune 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Main Loop
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
VerifiedJune 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
The spot we picked was perfect! Beautiful views, clean bathrooms, clean campsite. It was great!
Natalie C
VerifiedJune 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
The spot we picked was perfect! Beautiful views, clean bathrooms, clean campsite. It was great!
Dakota D
VerifiedJune 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
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
VerifiedJune 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop
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.
Daniel B
VerifiedMay 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: Main Loop
It was great.
Daniel B
VerifiedMay 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: Main Loop
It was great.
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
