Tent Sites
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.
Helpful
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 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 sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
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Closed periods
Jan
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Mar
Apr
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Currently open - Apr 1 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.
17 Sites Available
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1, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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10, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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11, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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12, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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13, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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14, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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15, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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2, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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3, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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4, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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5, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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6, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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7, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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8, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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9, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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Group Site 1, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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Group Site 2, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
No sites found matching your criteria.
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Site Details
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17 Sites Available
Site
Price
⛺
1, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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10, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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11, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
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12, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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13, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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14, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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15, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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2, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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3, Loop: Main Loop
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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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
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews
259 reviews
Summary
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
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
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!
Helpful
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!
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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!
Helpful
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!
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
Angela C
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2025 Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Camp hosts don't put up reservation tags, so when we got there we had to tell someone they were in our spot. Camp hosts have lots of dogs(3-4?) that bark constantly when someone walks by. Dumpsters not unlocked.
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 ...
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 right. Elevation = 7.9 ft.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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Explore Monte Vista, CO
Population: 4,141
Nearby city: Pueblo, CO
Approx. 95 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 7,664 ft
Monte Vista, CO
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