Penitente Canyon Campground

Overview

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.

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

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.

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