Penitente Canyon Campground
The canyonlands of Penitente Canyon offer a blend of peaceful surroundings and diverse recreation opportunities less than 10 miles 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.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 11 |
| Tent-only | 4 |
| Group tent areas | 2 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
12 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 2 | Standard | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 3 | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 4 | Standard | 25 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 5 | Standard | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 6 | Standard | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 7 | Tent only | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 10 | Standard | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 12 | Standard | 17 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 13 | Standard | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | • Individual Sites = $11/night. • Group Tent Sites = $20/night. • 14 day max stay |
• Road signs from highway to Recreation Area. • Improved gravel roads in Recreation Area (no pavement). • Public drinking water system (available May-Oct). • 5 vault (or pit-type) toilets. • Trash bins throughout campground and day-use areas. • 15 Individual sites (3 Tent Only and 12 RV/Tent), 2 Group Tent sites, 1 CG Host site, 1 Group Picnic Shelter site. • Standard campground amenities-table, tent pads, fire ring, food storage locker, parking. • Interpretive, informational, and directional signs. • Trailhead and overflow parking areas. • Foot, horse, and mountain bike trails. • All facilities open year-round. • Cell phone service is spotty in canyons.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Monte Vista, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37.8418° N, 106.2800° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 19.2 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 23.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kristi's Mountain Sports ↗ | 32.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Penitente Canyon Campground - San Luis Valley
Worth a stop
• USFS-Rio Grande National Forest and Natural Arch. • BLM-Elephant Rocks Recreation Area. • La Garita Trading Post-food, gas, and small store. • Town of Del Norte Campgrounds Nearby • USFS-Rio Grande National Forest – Poso CG, Storm King CG
- 11.6 miStorm King Picnic Site ↗Day use
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Rio Grande National Forest.
- inRio Grande National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,937,280 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Sutherland BridgeStructure · Del Norte · 11.7 mi
- Wheeler BridgeStructure · Del Norte · 12.7 mi
Natural features
Geology The rocks in Penitente Canyon are remnants of up to 18 volcanic eruptions that took place in the San Juan Volcanic Field between 20 and 30 million years ago. The largest of these eruptions spewed 1,000 cubic miles of ash 27.8 million years ago, creating a huge underground chamber. Rocks overlying the chamber collapsed to create the La Garita Caldera. History Ancestors of the Utes, Jicarilla Apaches and Puebloans have all left evidence of time spent hunting and camping here, along with explorers and trappers. The valley’s first settlers were Hispanic farmers and sheepherders who migrated from northern New Mexico. Native Americans left scattered pictographs (painted rock art) throughout these Canyonlands (the largest concentration in the San Luis Valley). Please leave all rock art as you find it. Do not touch, walk on, climb on, or disturb it in any way.
Recreation
Penitente Canyon Recreation Area is a destination known for its world-class sport rock-climbing routes and its extensive singletrack trail system, mainly used by mountain bikers and hikers. The area is rich in both natural and cultural history, making it ideal for heritage tourists interested in the Old Spanish Trail and early American frontiersmen, as well as wildlife watchers and photographers. • Standard Nonelectric • Rv Nonelectric • Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric • Overnight
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Penitente Canyon Campground?
Sites at Penitente Canyon Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Penitente Canyon Campground?
• Individual Sites = $11/night. • Group Tent Sites = $20/night. • 14 day max stay
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Penitente Canyon Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Penitente Canyon Campground have?
18 sites, including 11 standard sites without power, 4 tent-only sites, and 2 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Penitente Canyon Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Penitente Canyon Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Penitente Canyon Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Penitente Canyon Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Penitente Canyon Campground?
Penitente Canyon Recreation Area is a destination known for its world-class sport rock-climbing routes and its extensive singletrack trail system, mainly used by mountain bikers and hikers. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Penitente Canyon Campground?
Monte Vista, Colorado. • USFS-Rio Grande National Forest and Natural Arch.
Source: Getting there
What if Penitente Canyon Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Poso Campground (9.2 mi, first-come), Storm King Campground (11.6 mi, first-come), and Cathedral (17.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby