Penitente Canyon Campground

Blm San Luis Valley Field Office, Monte Vista, Colorado, United States
Check Availability
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 Pet Friendly

About Penitente Canyon Campground

The canyonlands of Penitente Canyon offer a blend of peaceful surroundings and diverse recreation opportunities less than 10 mi 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.

Available sites

17 total sites
Tent Sites 17 sites Check Availability

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 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 Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 10, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 11, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 12, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 13, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 14, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 15, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 2, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 3, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 4, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 5, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 6, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 7, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 8, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 9, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews

259 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

4.1

Overall rating

Based on 259 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 47.5% (123)
4 stars 33.2% (86)
3 stars 8.1% (21)
2 stars 3.1% (8)
1 star 8.1% (21)

Showing 259 reviews

Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Newest First Oldest First

Ellen H

Verified

April 23, 2022 Stayed at: 9, Loop: Main Loop

Your switch to an online reservation system is so lame. We have camped here for years and this was a total surprise after driving all the way to get there. Service is bad so getting online to make a tedious reservation is risky. The best sites were reserved yet no one showed up. Please go back to the self-reserve system. Please. So many campgrounds don’t have cell service and I heard from friends camping at other locations that the same issue happened to them - Tom’s of reserved sites where no one showed up.

Helpful

Rachel C

Verified

January 2, 2022 Stayed at: 5, Loop: Main Loop

It was very easy to pay for camping. We scanned the QR code and paid upon entry. The only issue was that the sign says $11 for a single site and we paid $19, I guess because of the service charge. This didn't feel good and should be fixed. We ran the Big Sky Loop and the Penitente Canyon Loop then climbed a few easy pitches. It was a nice day despite the chilly temps.

Helpful

Rachel C

Verified

January 2, 2022 Stayed at: 5, Loop: Main Loop

It was very easy to pay for camping. We scanned the QR code and paid upon entry. The only issue was that the sign says $11 for a single site and we paid $19, I guess because of the service charge. This didn't feel good and should be fixed. We ran the Big Sky Loop and the Penitente Canyon Loop then climbed a few easy pitches. It was a nice day despite the chilly temps.

Helpful

David B

Verified

November 29, 2021 Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop

The good: Beautiful place, with impressive rock formations. Lots of trails. Campsites are nice and well-spaced. Good privacy.
The bad: Washboard roads provide a bone-jarring ride in that's hard on equipment. Online reservations only, so if you want to check out the sites first you have to drive back out to get a cell signal to make a reservation. Dusty when dry and muddy when wet.

Helpful

David B

Verified

November 29, 2021 Stayed at: 4, Loop: Main Loop

The good: Beautiful place, with impressive rock formations. Lots of trails. Campsites are nice and well-spaced. Good privacy.
The bad: Washboard roads provide a bone-jarring ride in that's hard on equipment. Online reservations only, so if you want to check out the sites first you have to drive back out to get a cell signal to make a reservation. Dusty when dry and muddy when wet.

Helpful

Nicole G

Verified

November 28, 2021 Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop

Great campground; nice and quiet (midweek). Beautiful view of sky & stars! Restrooms, campsites, and trails were very very clean!

Helpful

Nicole G

Verified

November 28, 2021 Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop

Great campground; nice and quiet (midweek). Beautiful view of sky & stars! Restrooms, campsites, and trails were very very clean!

Helpful

Edward B

Verified

November 16, 2021 Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop

Great campground in a quiet location with great scenery.

Helpful

Edward B

Verified

November 16, 2021 Stayed at: 6, Loop: Main Loop

Great campground in a quiet location with great scenery.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Penitente Canyon Campground

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

Elevation: 2,413 ft

Getting There

From U.S. 285, turn west onto Saguache County Road G. After 6 mi you will pass the La Garita Trading Post. Go another 0.5 mi to a Y intersection; take the left fork (County Road 38A). The entrance to the recreation area is another 0.5 mi, on your ...

Nearest town

Monte Vista, CO - 25 mi

About 28 min to downtown

Highway access

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

Near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

The closest entrance is: Great Sand Dunes Entrance Station

Approximate drive: 51.6 mi · over 1 hr (89 min)

Policies & Rules

Pets

  • Pets must always be kept under control.

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Nearby destinations

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Last updated: October 24, 2026

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Population: 4,141

Nearby city: Pueblo, CO

Approx. 95 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 7,664 ft

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