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
Kate A
VerifiedMay 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Quiet, clean. Interesting area nice trails well worth a visit.
Kate A
VerifiedMay 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: Main Loop
Quiet, clean. Interesting area nice trails well worth a visit.
Desiree w
VerifiedMay 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Driveway lengths are not accurate. They are listed shorted than they actually are .
Desiree w
VerifiedMay 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: Main Loop
Driveway lengths are not accurate. They are listed shorted than they actually are .
Vicki L
VerifiedApril 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
This campground is in a very quiet area with only the sounds of nature and airplanes. The campsites are spread apart with lots of native boulders providing some privacy. It has a great view of the moon and stars at night. The trails in the canyons are steep and rocky with some rock scrambling required. The popular trails are easy to follow by watching for the rock cairns, but remote trails can be hard to follow. Remember to take a map with you to understand where the trail confidence markers are indication since most trails aren't labeled. Bathrooms were very clean before all the campers arrived on the weekend. This area has great rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking options.
Vicki L
VerifiedApril 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
This campground is in a very quiet area with only the sounds of nature and airplanes. The campsites are spread apart with lots of native boulders providing some privacy. It has a great view of the moon and stars at night. The trails in the canyons are steep and rocky with some rock scrambling required. The popular trails are easy to follow by watching for the rock cairns, but remote trails can be hard to follow. Remember to take a map with you to understand where the trail confidence markers are indication since most trails aren't labeled. Bathrooms were very clean before all the campers arrived on the weekend. This area has great rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking options.
Donald B
VerifiedOctober 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
I wish it was first come first serve. Many camp sites were not being used and some people did not cancel. I wish there was a way to cancel so we know what actual sites are open.
Donald B
VerifiedOctober 23, 2024 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Main Loop
I wish it was first come first serve. Many camp sites were not being used and some people did not cancel. I wish there was a way to cancel so we know what actual sites are open.
Rob T
VerifiedOctober 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Main Loop
Wonderful remote campsite! Views, history, clean and little known. Bring water, watch for snakes!
Rob T
VerifiedOctober 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Main Loop
Wonderful remote campsite! Views, history, clean and little known. Bring water, watch for snakes!
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
