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Penitente Canyon Campground

Penitente Canyon

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Upcoming Availability

14 of 14 days currently show available sites.

View releasing sites

Sun, Jul 26

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Mon, Jul 27

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Tue, Jul 28

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Wed, Jul 29

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Thu, Jul 30

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Fri, Jul 31

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Campground guide

What to know before booking

The canyonlands of Penitente Canyon offer a blend of peaceful surroundings and diverse recreation opportunities less than 10 miles from a major highway. • Road signs from highway to Recreation Area. 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.

Official campground details, summarized

Concise planning notes based on the public Recreation.gov campground information.

Facilities

• 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.

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

Nearby Attractions

• 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

Important notices

• All recreation is at your own risk. • Drinking water is typically available May-October from the campground wellhouse. Despite the campground water system, it is strongly recommended that you bring plenty of water with you in case the well is not operational, and do not drink from area streams or lakes. • Check-in time is 1:00 p.m. or after on the first day of the reservation. • Check-out time is no later than 12:00 p.m. on the last day of the reservation. • If the reservation holder doesn't show up on the first day of the reservation, the campsite is released at check-in time (1 pm) the next day. • There are no hookup services. • Maximum length of stay is 14 days. • Fires are only allowed in BLM approved metal fire rings. • Individual Tent Campsites are limited to 6 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles (plus 1 trailer) per site. • Only 1 RV/trailer per RV campsite. • The Group Campsites are limited to 15 people, 5 tents, and 4 vehicles (plus 2 trailers). • No overnight RV/trailer camping in day use parking areas. • This is a high elevation campground. Be prepared to take cover during afternoon thunderstorms. • Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. • Pack it in, pack it out. In the backcountry, be prepared to carry out your garbage and dispose of it properly. Trash bins are located throughout the campground and day-use area. • Motorized vehicles are prohibited on Penitente Canyon trails. Motorized travel is allowed only on designated roads. • Be considerate of others and share the trail. • Always keep pets under control.

Surrounding campgrounds

Other tracked campgrounds within driving distance, nearest first.

Alder Guard Station

Rio Grande National Forest

22.2 mi

Duncan Cabin

Rio Grande National Forest

36.4 mi

Platoro Cabin 2

Rio Grande National Forest

36.4 mi

Platoro Cabin 1

Rio Grande National Forest

36.4 mi

Zapata Falls Campground

Zapata Falls SRMA

40.2 mi

Mount Princeton

PSICC

60.4 mi

Common questions

Is Penitente Canyon Campground available right now?

Kestrel's most recent scan found openings on 14 of the next 14 days, starting Sun, Jul 26. Availability changes constantly — check the calendar above, then confirm on Recreation.gov.

How do I book Penitente Canyon Campground?

Reservations are handled by Recreation.gov, not by Kestrel. Use the official reservation link on this page to book. Kestrel only watches availability and tells you when a site frees up.

How quickly will I hear about a cancellation?

Kestrel rescans every two minutes, and every 30 seconds during the provider's daily release window. Alerts go out by email as soon as a matching site appears.