About Collegiate Peaks
Number of accommodations: 44
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Fishing
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Firewood Available
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Collegiate Peaks.
Rates, Sites & Availability
44 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
44 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (534)
What Guests Are Saying
Collegiate Peaks is a beautiful, well-maintained campground near Buena Vista, offering large, private sites and exceptionally clean restrooms. Visitors enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, proximity to hiking trails and hot springs, as well as the presence of wildlife. While some sites may not be level and there were occasional issues with water quality and host availability, the overall experience remains positive, with many campers eager to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Collegiate Peaks is a beautiful, well-maintained campground near Buena Vista, offering large, private sites and exceptionally clean restrooms. Visitors enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, proximity to hiking trails and hot springs, as well as the presence of wildlife. While some sites may not be level and there were occasional issues with water quality and host availability, the overall experience remains positive, with many campers eager to return.
Review Summary
Deb L
VerifiedDecember 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: COLL
Buenna Vista is a true mountain town, and Collegiate Peaks is a great, quiet campground to explore the area.
Deb L
VerifiedDecember 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: COLL
Buenna Vista is a true mountain town, and Collegiate Peaks is a great, quiet campground to explore the area.
Gary W
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: COLL
Only problem was the site didn't provide a flat surface to access the camp site but that's not a problem that could be fixed, the area was on a steep incline
Gary W
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: COLL
Only problem was the site didn't provide a flat surface to access the camp site but that's not a problem that could be fixed, the area was on a steep incline
Margie S
VerifiedDecember 20, 2025 • Stayed at: J, Loop: COLL
Large private campsite with running river nearby. Easy access from Buena Vista with good hiking trails a short drive away.
Margie S
VerifiedDecember 20, 2025 • Stayed at: J, Loop: COLL
Large private campsite with running river nearby. Easy access from Buena Vista with good hiking trails a short drive away.
Catherine S
VerifiedOctober 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: COLL
Campground was conveniently located near Buena Vista and the attractions in the area. We mainly enjoyed relaxing at the site, but there are trails and fishing nearby, as well as one of the hot spring resorts. We saw several deer in the campground and the leaves changing were beautiful! Our site was good sized and the restrooms were exceptionally clean - and I believe they were cleaned multiple times a day. We did not meet our camp host but saw them out and about. I will mention - a neighboring camper ran into car issues with a dead battery - the host did not have the ability to help them. There was no cell service, so while we were able to help jump her car, it is something to be aware of here.
Catherine S
VerifiedOctober 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: COLL
Campground was conveniently located near Buena Vista and the attractions in the area. We mainly enjoyed relaxing at the site, but there are trails and fishing nearby, as well as one of the hot spring resorts. We saw several deer in the campground and the leaves changing were beautiful! Our site was good sized and the restrooms were exceptionally clean - and I believe they were cleaned multiple times a day. We did not meet our camp host but saw them out and about. I will mention - a neighboring camper ran into car issues with a dead battery - the host did not have the ability to help them. There was no cell service, so while we were able to help jump her car, it is something to be aware of here.
David T
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: COLL
Campsite was large and the restrooms were some of the best I've experienced
Leo S
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2025 • Stayed at: K, Loop: COLL
Nice campground, great hosts. My only critique is that some of the spots are smaller than you think. We had a 20’ trailer and couldn’t really park our car well in there also. Some spots are more spacious
Location Collegiate Peaks
Address:
Salida Ranger District Office
Salida, CO, 81201
United States
From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 306. At the stoplight, go west for 11 miles
toward Cottonwood Pass. Campground is located on the left-hand side of the
road. Highway 306 is paved on east side of Cottonwood Pass.
Collegiate Peaks Campground is accessed via Highway 306, which connects to the south near Buena Vista and heads west toward Cottonwood Pass.
Latitude & Longitude: 38.8131 / -106.315
Elevation: 3013 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- Please disinfect waders and boots when fishing in beaver ponds; this will help protect endangered toads from the spread of chytrid fungus
- Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
- This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
- No hookups available
- Click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
- If reservations are not available, some campsites are first come-first served, also called "Walk-up" sites. First-come, first-served sites must be occupied the SAME NIGHT they are paid for. Due to the remote nature of campgrounds, calling to check availability prior to arrival is not possible.
- About 15 minutes from the Collegiate Peaks campground is Cottonwood Lake Campground, a first come-first served, no reservation facility which is located on County Road 344. It is a very popular site for campers, as well as anglers. Campsites fill up quickly on weekends. Camping and campfires are restricted in on County Rd 344 to developed campgrounds only. Starting at about 1 mile west of Cottonwood Lake campground dispersed, primitive camping is allowed.
- Two vehicles or one RV/Trailer and tow vehicle per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle.
- Firewood is available for sale at host site for $10.00/bundle.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
