Penitente Canyon campground
Penitente Canyon
Reservations are not accepted at Penitente Canyon, as campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it is recommended to arrive early, especially during peak seasons, to secure a spot. The best time of year to visit Penitente Canyon is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is mild, and the area showcases stunning natural beauty.
Aside from camping, Penitente Canyon offers various outdoor recreational activities. Climbing enthusiasts will find an abundance of excellent climbing routes, with both traditional and sport climbing options available. Hikers will appreciate the scenic trails that wind through the canyon, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. However, it is important to be cautious of loose rocks and potential rockfall in certain areas. Overall, Penitente Canyon is a fantastic camping destination for those seeking solitude in a beautiful natural setting while enjoying activities like climbing and hiking.
What's on-site at Penitente Canyon
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Penitente Canyon, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penitente Canyon Site 24 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Penitente Canyon Site 23 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Penitente Canyon Site 17 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Penitente Canyon Site 16 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Penitente Canyon Site 25 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Penitente Canyon -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Carnero Creek Near La Garita | 3 cfs | → |
| La Garita Creek Near La Garita | 4 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande Near Del Norte | 940 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande Near Monte Vista | 182 cfs | → |
| San Francisco C At Upper Sta | 2 cfs | → |
| Pinos Creek Near Del Norte | 27 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Penitente Canyon -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Garita 5.6 Wsw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Del Norte 2.5 Ene | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Del Norte 3.3 E | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Del Norte | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Moon Pass | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Moon Pass | 1.0 in | 1.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Fullenweider Park
- Wilderness La Garita
- Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
- Baca National Wildlife Refuge
- San Luis Lakes Wildlife Area
- San Luis State Park
Fishing spots
- Home Lake
- Rio Grande Swa
- Million Reservoir Fishing Site
- Beaver Creek Reservoir
- Poage Lake Fishing Site
- San Luis Lake
Points of interest
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of North, Middle And South Forks (Sec 4, T43n, R3e) To Nf Boundary (Sec 17, T44n, R4e)
- Below Big Meadows Reservoir Dam To Sec 9 And 10, T39n, R3e
- Sec 30, T41n, R2e To Sec 11, T40n, R2e
- Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
- Eastern Boundary Of Park To Western Park Boundary
- Headwaters (Sec 21, T38n, R1e) To 1/4 Mile Above Big Meadows Reservoir
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Penitente Canyon as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Penitente Canyon
Can I make reservations at Penitente Canyon?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Penitente Canyon?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Penitente Canyon.