Colorado

La Garita & Penitente Canyon

A scenic San Luis Valley drive to historic La Garita and the BLM Penitente Canyon access roads, with volcanic canyon views and room to hike when you park.

Access Information Reviewed Day trip County roads Stock 4WD & full-size OK

Photo gallery

Boulders and cliffs in Penitente Canyon
Penitente Canyon rock. BLM photo.
Volcanic cliff faces in Penitente Canyon
Fish Canyon tuff formations. BLM photo.
Main parking area at Penitente Canyon Recreation Area
Main parking area. Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0.
Penitente Canyon Recreation Area entrance sign
Entrance sign. Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0.
Non-motorized trail among rocks at Penitente Canyon
Trail (not a driving route). Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0.
Terrain near Penitente Canyon
Area terrain. BLM photo.

About this trip

This is a scenic county-road outing in Colorado's San Luis Valley. You drive to the small community of La Garita, then follow published BLM directions onto County Road 38A to the Penitente Canyon Special Recreation Management Area entrance.

Penitente Canyon itself is a 4,552-acre BLM recreation area known for volcanic rock, climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. Motorized vehicles may use designated roads only. The canyon trails are non-motorized. Park, then explore on foot or bike where the signs allow.

Highlights
  • Volcanic Fish Canyon tuff cliffs and boulders at Penitente Canyon
  • Historic La Garita area on the way in from U.S. 285
  • Graded county gravel and dirt access roads (conditions change)
  • Hiking, photography, and rock climbing after you park
  • Developed and dispersed camping options per BLM rules (reservations on recreation.gov for the campground)
  • Wide San Luis Valley and San Juan mountain views from the valley floor approaches

Map

Route map coming soonDirections are below.

Map pending. Use official BLM directions and the BLM Penitente Canyon page. We will not embed someone else's GPS track.

Suggested itinerary (access steps)

Mileages below are the official approach segments from BLM and Visit Rio Grande County, not a full loop odometer.

  1. 1
    From U.S. 285: Turn west onto Saguache County Road G.
  2. 2
    Toward La Garita: In about six to six-and-a-half miles you pass the La Garita Trading Post.
  3. 3
    Y-intersection: About a half mile farther, take the left fork onto County Road 38A.
  4. 4
    Recreation area entrance: In approximately another half mile, the Penitente Canyon entrance is on your right.
  5. 5
    Park and explore: Use designated roads only if you continue driving inside the SRMA. Trails are for hiking, mountain bikes, and horses as posted.
  6. 6
    Optional other approach: From Del Norte, BLM describes northwest travel on Highway 112 to road 38A, then north on 38A about 8 miles to the signs for Penitente Canyon.
Stay on designated roads. BLM restricts motorized vehicles to designated roads only. Do not drive canyon trails. Watch for prairie rattlesnakes, changing weather, and cattle gates. Check current conditions with the San Luis Valley Field Office before you go.

Tips & safety

  • Drinking water at the entrance well house is typically available May through October (BLM).
  • Campground sites (15 single, 2 group) must be reserved at recreation.gov. Dispersed camping only where allowed; not in day-use parking or Rock Garden.
  • No firewood cutting or gathering. Use existing fire rings where camping is allowed.
  • Bring layers, a paper map backup, and recovery basics suited to gravel roads after storms.
  • Gear tip (affiliate): a compact tire inflator is handy after dirt-road pressure changes. Example: portable tire inflator on Amazon. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Sources & last reviewed
Last reviewed: October 15, 2026.
BLM Penitente Canyon visit page
BLM 2023 Penitente Canyon SRMA brochure (PDF)
Visit Rio Grande County: Penitente Canyon
Photos: BLM public-domain uploads on Wikimedia Commons; Jeffrey Beall photos under CC BY 4.0.

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