Available sites
44 total sites
RV Sites
About Collegiate Peaks
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Fishing
Hiking
Year-round
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
Rates, Sites & Availability
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44 Sites Available
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Reviews (607)
What Guests Are Saying
Collegiate Peaks campground offers a clean, well-maintained environment with spacious, private sites surrounded by beautiful nature, including a creek and abundant wildlife. Campers appreciate the helpful hosts and the proximity to numerous hiking trails and outdoor activities. While some sites may be unlevel and the water quality could be improved, the overall experience remains positive, making it a favorite destination for many visitors.
What Guests Are Saying
Collegiate Peaks campground offers a clean, well-maintained environment with spacious, private sites surrounded by beautiful nature, including a creek and abundant wildlife. Campers appreciate the helpful hosts and the proximity to numerous hiking trails and outdoor activities. While some sites may be unlevel and the water quality could be improved, the overall experience remains positive, making it a favorite destination for many visitors.
Review Summary
Christopher B
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2026 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL
This is a great campground! Sites are pretty large, and it is easy to find level spots if you are tent camping. The aspens were beautiful since we went in mid- to late-September. There are lots of hikes nearby, and Buena Vista is just down the road. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will be back next year.
Jeff S
VerifiedSeptember 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
The campground was wonderful and clean. Hosts were awesome. Leaves were changing. Great proximity to Mount Yale and Cottonwood Pass. Site 17 worked great for a tent. Good safe distance from the fire pit. Recommend highly👏👏
Brian M
VerifiedSeptember 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: COLL
I really liked the campground. Wasn't a big fan of my particular campsite (005) Campsite was very hilly without adequate space or clear spot for tents. I was solo camping with only a smaller 2-man tent. So i made it work. But would be difficult with bigger or more than one tent. I did scope out some other campsites within the campground I look forward to booking in the future! Grounds were well maintained and clean. Vault toilets were are well stocked and very clean. Campground Host was present, pleasant and very helpful! Proximity to numerous trail heads and close to Buena Vista makes this a great spot for getting away or adventures. I will definitely camp here again. I just didn't care for the site I had specifically. Overall very good!
Kristi R
VerifiedSeptember 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: COLL
Beautiful campground and well maintained. Easy access to town, hiking and hot springs. Difficult to determine from reservation app which site is best for a campervan, so might do the first come first serve method next time till I learn the favorite sites. Potable water looked brown, maybe we didn't pump long enough, but were able to fill a jug at the local grocery store for 35 cents/gallon. Would definitely stay here again.
Fred S
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: COLL
Beautiful spot, lots of no shows, campsite tags not updated. Friendly helpful host
Anabelle H
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2026 • Stayed at: K, Loop: COLL
Beautiful site. Quite cold at night (September). We made a 10 minute drive to Cottonwood Hot Springs at night - highly recommend.
Mary and Jim D
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
The campground is beautiful and we had a large, private campsite. I recommend this area for lovely fall colors and a pretty creek.
Mark C
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2026 • Stayed at: O, Loop: COLL
We spent three nights at Collegiate Peaks Campground boondocking in a small trailer. The sites are spacious, restrooms clean, and the entire campground was well-maintained by the gracious hosts. It is a very serene place to visit which we will plan on doing again.
Robert S
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: COLL
Site 35 is a great level back in spot, with level access to the picnic table.
Nicole P
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: COLL
Site 26 is comically small. Could maybe fit a 2-person tent. We had two 6-person tents and had to go find a dispersed site nearby. The camp host was very nice but given it was a holiday weekend they couldn’t do anything for us. The campground is super nice but this should not be a campsite.
Location & Directions for Collegiate Peaks
Salida Ranger District Office, Salida, CO 81201 United States
Elevation: 3,013 ft
Getting There
From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 306. At the stoplight, go west for 11 mi
toward Cottonwood Pass. Campground is located on the left-hand side of the
road. Highway 306 is paved on east side of Cottonwood Pass.
Highway access
Collegiate Peaks Campground is accessed via Highway 306, which connects to the south near Buena Vista and heads west toward Cottonwood Pass.
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: October 19, 2026
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Population: 5,861
Elevation: 7,051 ft
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