About Collegiate Peaks
Number of accommodations: 44
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
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 (267)
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
Lin S
VerifiedAugust 26, 2023 • Stayed at: B, Loop: COLL
Beautiful and well maintained campground, clean and stocked privys, friendly and helpful camp hosts. Falling asleep to the creek sound is a lovely bonus!
Dave R
VerifiedAugust 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: COLL
Very nice sites with mature trees. The Camp Host does a great job cleaning and stocking the toilets.
Andrew B
VerifiedAugust 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL
Wonderful site, nice getaway. Close to Buena Vista.
Wesley R
VerifiedAugust 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: COLL
Jocelyn, the campground host, is the best! Helpful and friendly. She helped to make our visit great!
Sarah A
VerifiedAugust 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: COLL
Clean bathrooms. Beautiful, spacious sites.
Clare M
VerifiedAugust 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: COLL
Campground was very near hikes. Large campground with good separation and lots of trees. Not all sites has bear boxes, just the ones on perimeter. I had lots of old moose pellets around my site. The campground was quite near the front where the host was, and louder near the back by the willows. The bathrooms were well maintained. There was a non-potable water station, but no hoses allowed so not sure what it would be used for, make sure to bring water with you. I filled up at an RV park in Buena Vista (which had a very slow water system).
John C
VerifiedAugust 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: COLL
Wonderful, engaged hosts. A beautiful campground near a beautiful creek. We will be back!
Carly P
VerifiedAugust 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: COLL
Big campsite and fairly private with trees
Katherine T
VerifiedAugust 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: COLL
I consider Collegiate Peaks my camping “home”. Beautiful campground, many large, private sites ( difficult to get a spot next to the river). Buena Vista, Salida and Leadville make fun day trips. There is no insect damage to trees in the area.
Take a half hour and go to the top of Cottonwood Pass and take in the Spectacular view at 12,000+feet at the Continental Divide!
Teresa L
VerifiedAugust 1, 2023 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL
Roads need repair.
Sites are not level.
Good facilities.
Beautiful park.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 38.8131 / -106.315
Elevation: 3013 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Please disinfect waders and boots when fishing in beaver ponds; this will help protect endangered toads from the spread of chytrid fungus |
| General |
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 |
| General |
This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations |
| General |
No hookups available |
| General |
Click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Two vehicles or one RV/Trailer and tow vehicle per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle. |
| General |
Firewood is available for sale at host site for $10.00/bundle. |
