Picnic table with aspen trees with fall foliage
Campsite with view of aspen trees with fall foliege
Campsite with shade and picnic table
Campsite surrounded by trees
Shaded campsite with picnic table and fire pit

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Restrooms Restrooms

Available sites

44 total sites

About Collegiate Peaks

Collegiate Peaks Campground is located 11 mi west of Buena Vista, Colorado, along Middle Cottonwood Creek near the top of Cottonwood Pass. The campground offers well-spaced campsites and scenic views of the surrounding mountains. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring local trails. A commercial hot springs inn and spa is located about 5 mi east of the campground. "First come, first served" does not necessarily mean that the site will be available when you get there. Someone may get there before you. This is a popular campground and is normally full starting on Friday, sometimes as early as Thursday, so plan accordingly.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Restrooms Restrooms
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Firewood Available
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

44 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 003, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 46 × 10 ft · Gravel
🚐 004, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 26 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 005, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 006, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 007, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 29 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 008, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 57 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 009, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 010, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 25 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐 011, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 28 × 13 ft · Gravel
🚐 012, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 22 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐 013, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 33 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 014, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 58 × 13 ft · Gravel
🚐 015, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 22 × 11 ft · Gravel
🚐 016, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 36 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 017, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 024, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 52 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 025, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 9 ft · Gravel
🚐 026, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 10 ft · Gravel
🚐 031, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 26 × 31 ft · Gravel
🚐 032, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 34 × 16 ft · Gravel
🚐 033, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 25 ft · Gravel
🚐 034, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 36 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 035, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 37 × 10 ft · Gravel
🚐 036, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 11 ft · Gravel
🚐 037, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 52 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 038, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 039, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 040, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 A, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 31 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 B, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 25 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 C, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 29 × 10 ft · Gravel
🚐 D, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 42 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 E, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 36 × 10 ft · Gravel
🚐 F, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 34 × 11 ft · Gravel
🚐 G, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 13 ft · Gravel
🚐 H, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 42 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 I, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 26 × 11 ft · Gravel
🚐 J, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 33 × 11 ft · Gravel
🚐 K, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 26 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 L, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 50 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 M, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 10 ft · Gravel
🚐 N, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 13 ft · Gravel
🚐 O, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 62 × 13 ft · Gravel
🚐 P, Loop: COLL RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 11 ft · Gravel

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.

Review Summary

4.5
607 reviews
5
71.7%
435
4
16.5%
100
3
6.9%
42
2
3.3%
20
1
1.6%
10

Cynthia S

Verified

July 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: COLL

3

This is the second time I have stayed in this campground. It is beautiful. The only reason for less of a rating is the host seemed a little lazy. We stayed 4 nights and never saw the bathroom cleaned. Toilet paper remained on the floor. No hand sanitizer.

Scarlet S

Verified

July 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: COLL

3

Beautiful campground however there is much car traffic throughout the loop where all campsites border. This creates a lot of dust and noise (and light at night) most hours of the day. Sites are well-spaced but you can still hear your neighbors easily. Pump water is available although it has sediment and is not chlorinated so needs to be filtered. Host was available for emergencies only, not to answer questions or give recommendations. Recommend not staying in a site near the bathrooms as the sound of the door opening and closing is constant. Sites near the river are lovely however expect people from other sites to walk through your site to access the river. Bathrooms are the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground. Location cannot be beat as it's close to multiple trails and a short drive into Buena Vista.

Cynthia S

Verified

July 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: COLL

3

This is the second time I have stayed in this campground. It is beautiful. The only reason for less of a rating is the host seemed a little lazy. We stayed 4 nights and never saw the bathroom cleaned. Toilet paper remained on the floor. No hand sanitizer.

Doug D

Verified

July 13, 2025 • Stayed at: C, Loop: COLL

5

the hosts were great and kept the sites and bathrooms clean

Doug D

Verified

July 13, 2025 • Stayed at: C, Loop: COLL

5

the hosts were great and kept the sites and bathrooms clean

Karen K

Verified

July 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: COLL

5

well cleared site, level for tents (which we did not use) . Very clean restrooms. Access to all kinds of stuff. Good weather. Need to adjut your expectations cooking at high altitude but it worked. Would stay again. Jut wish could park additional car at site.

Karen K

Verified

July 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: COLL

5

well cleared site, level for tents (which we did not use) . Very clean restrooms. Access to all kinds of stuff. Good weather. Need to adjut your expectations cooking at high altitude but it worked. Would stay again. Jut wish could park additional car at site.

Jeremy D

Verified

July 8, 2025 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL

5

Nicely spaced sites situated in tree cover and near an audible creek. Bathrooms are clean.

Jeremy D

Verified

July 8, 2025 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL

5

Nicely spaced sites situated in tree cover and near an audible creek. Bathrooms are clean.

Roger W

Verified

July 7, 2025 • Stayed at: F, Loop: COLL

4

Beautiful campground for smaller RVs in general. It would help if Forest Service would fix the broken pumps as only one works. Near hiking trails, and short drive to fishing.

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.

Nearest town

Salida, CO - 36 mi

About 46 min to downtown

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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Explore Salida, CO

Population: 5,861

Nearby larger city

Colorado Springs, CO

Approx. 80 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 7,051 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service