Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
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 (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.
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
Kim A
VerifiedOctober 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Main Loop
Each time I come to Penitente, I find some magic. The place is sacred and meditative. This time it poured furiously, but provided exceptional views of the Sangres with low lying clouds, and double or triple rainbows everywhere.
Lares F
VerifiedOctober 21, 2025 • Stayed at: Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful and comfortable group site. We had about seven people and were able to spread out. We had a great time.
emmy k
VerifiedOctober 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Main Loop
Very cool trails and stunning landscape.
Do not neglect to visit the Garita Cafe. Best plain coffee ever!
emmy k
VerifiedOctober 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Main Loop
Very cool trails and stunning landscape.
Do not neglect to visit the Garita Cafe. Best plain coffee ever!
Midge K
VerifiedOctober 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Main Loop
we got lost and had to be rescued by sheriff office after we called 911. The sign almost at the end of the penitente canyon trail has arrows pointing both ways with no indication which way is out. we took the wrong one and ended up at a cliff but there was a trail all the way. You need better signs and more of them along the trail.
Midge K
VerifiedOctober 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Main Loop
we got lost and had to be rescued by sheriff office after we called 911. The sign almost at the end of the penitente canyon trail has arrows pointing both ways with no indication which way is out. we took the wrong one and ended up at a cliff but there was a trail all the way. You need better signs and more of them along the trail.
Jacqueline L G
VerifiedOctober 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful spot! We always have a great time here. The campground is in great shape and there are trails all around. Highly recommended camping here!
Jacqueline L G
VerifiedOctober 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: Main Loop
Beautiful spot! We always have a great time here. The campground is in great shape and there are trails all around. Highly recommended camping here!
Russell M
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Main Loop
Sweet place, weirdest camp host I’ve ever seen. The camp host site looks like a homeless camp and had 3-4 dogs tied up that bark at every car bike or person that goes by. Reservations are not being posted to reserved sites so my friends had to kick out some tent campers who were in their spot when they arrived.
Very cool area with big sandstone features on the trails. Nicely graded road and rv/tent camp sites.
Russell M
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: Main Loop
Sweet place, weirdest camp host I’ve ever seen. The camp host site looks like a homeless camp and had 3-4 dogs tied up that bark at every car bike or person that goes by. Reservations are not being posted to reserved sites so my friends had to kick out some tent campers who were in their spot when they arrived.
Very cool area with big sandstone features on the trails. Nicely graded road and rv/tent camp sites.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 37.8418 / -106.28
Elevation: 2413 feet
Policies & Rules
Pets
- Pets must always be kept under control.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 4, 2026
