Penitente Canyon

San Luis Valley Field Office, 1313 E. Hwy 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144

If technical rock climbing is your type of adventure, then Penitente Canyon may have what you want. The canyon is known for its nearly 300 world class technical rock climbing routes. South-facing routes can be climbed year-round within the Recreation Area. Numerous Trails are also available for your enjoyment within Penitente Canyon SRMA. Other attractions include trout fishing in La Garita Creek and primitive camping. For more information, please contact the San Luis Valley Field Office.

Directions

From Highway 285 turn west on County Road G, travel about 6 miles to La Garita follow County Road 38A until you see the Penitente Canyon turn off on your right, less than a mile. From Del Norte travel northwest on Highway 112 to road 38A turn north, stay on 38 A until you see signs for Penitente Canyon, about 8 miles.

Reviews

Penitente Canyon campground is recognized for its beautiful and quiet setting, ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and climbing, with excellent night skies for stargazing. The campsites are spacious and offer good privacy, complemented by clean and well-maintained restroom facilities. However, visitors should be aware of logistical challenges such as limited or no potable water, spotty cell reception affecting the online-only reservation system, road and campsite layout difficulties for larger vehicles, and occasional issues with aggressive or stray dogs and confusing signage.

Beautiful, quiet location with natural rock formations

Spacious campsites offering privacy

Clean and well-maintained restrooms

Popular for hiking, biking, and climbing trails

Stargazing opportunities with amazing night skies

Limited or no potable water available onsite

Online-only reservations complicated by poor cell service

Challenging road and campsite layouts for large campers

Occasional aggressive or stray dogs presence

Confusing or poor signage and site identification

147 reviews

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Sean B

Campground:Penitente Canyon Campground

Loop:Main Loop

Site:

Reviewed 23 days ago

Reservation system was easy, reasonably priced...and allowed us to get to our camp late at night with the confidence we would have a place waiting. Appreciate the people that work to make this happen.

Anne F

Campground:Penitente Canyon Campground

Loop:Main Loop

Site:

Reviewed 24 days ago

Great camping area, sites are clean and well spaced. Great view of the Sangre's. Be sure to bring your own toilet paper

Kevin O

Campground:Penitente Canyon Campground

Loop:Main Loop

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Penitente Canyon is a relatively small area but has some great trails for walking, running, gravel biking and mountain biking, plus an area to practice rock climbing skills. The campground has limited space but an interesting view. The terrain is not what people picture for Colorado, which is why I wanted to visit. Not disappointed. Many unusual and interesting things to do in a 50 mile radius, plus Great Sand Dunes NP.

Michael F

Campground:Penitente Canyon Campground

Loop:Main Loop

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

There was a few CS I would rather have been at. But reserved and sadly never occupied, but site was full per NPS. Glad I called and got 1. Nearby Witches canyon was my alternative , for my usual dispersed ideas. But in general pleased

Jeff B

Campground:Penitente Canyon Campground

Loop:Main Loop

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Great sites - very clean and well kept restrooms. Thank you.

Edward D

Campground:Penitente Canyon Campground

Loop:Main Loop

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

The canyon trail is beautiful! Watching the climbing activity was fun lots of hikes available high desert type with scenery.