Can you reserve a site at Penrose Common Rec Site?

No. Penrose Common Rec Site is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Penrose Common Rec Site

Facility · Colorado ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Royal Gorge Field Office (Bureau of Land Management CO) · Open Access

5,754 ft
Elevation

Penrose Commons Recreation Area offers a warm, arid climate among pinon and juniper woodlands. The best time to visit is September through May when temperatures are comfortable and the snowy peaks of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range are visible in the distance. With 30 miles of motorized trail, the area is popular for ATVs, motorcycles and four wheeling. Independence Trail system is known for its extreme 4x4 rock crawling opportunities with easy access for spectators to enjoy the trail activity. Penrose Commons is also popular for horseback riding, hunting and dispersed camping. The area has a restroom, trail map information and ample parking space for trailers. A wet weather gate closes the area to motorized use during wet conditions. For more information, please contact the Royal Gorge Field Office.

Getting there

Located: 10 miles east of Cañon City, Colorado, off of CO Hwy 115. From US Hwy 50 turn north on CO Hwy 115 at Penrose, drive 2.3 miles; turn west (left if coming from the south) on 3rd Street (CR 123, look for Brush Hollow reservoir sign), and drive for 0.3 miles; turn north (right) on E Street (CR 127) and drive 3 miles to the parking area.

38.49102, -105.03179 · 38°29'27.7"N 105°1'54.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Official map for this area

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	0.5	0.6	1.0	1.7	1.8	1.1	3.0	2.4	1.0	0.8	0.6	0.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

No Fee but OHV permit/ registration is required. Out of state residents are required to retain a Non-resident registration.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

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Common questions about Penrose Common Rec Site

Can you reserve a site at Penrose Common Rec Site?: No. Penrose Common Rec Site is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Penrose Common Rec Site

Sand Gulch Campground 13.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
The Bank Campground 14.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Guffey Gorge / Paradise Cove 25.3 mi · Activity pass · we watch it
The Crags 26.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mingus Ranch 27.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dinosaur Flats Rec Area 10.5 mi · Facility
Cleveland Quarry Rec Site 10.5 mi · Facility
Oil Well Flats Rec Area 10.6 mi · Facility
Captain Jack #665 22.7 mi · Facility
Pikes Peak 24.1 mi · Facility
Bottomless Pit Observation Site 24.8 mi · Facility
The Cliff House at Pikes Peak 26.2 mi · Facility

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Contact

Phone (719) 269-8500
Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.