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
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Rates, Sites & Availability
44 Sites Available
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Site Details
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44 Sites Available
No available sites
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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
John L
VerifiedJuly 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: COLL
Clean, spots near creek are excellent. “Potable” is dirty and very suspect
John L
VerifiedJuly 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: COLL
Clean, spots near creek are excellent. “Potable” is dirty and very suspect
Andrew B
VerifiedJune 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: COLL
K
Andrew B
VerifiedJune 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: COLL
K
Patricia V
VerifiedJune 29, 2024 • Stayed at: D, Loop: COLL
Enjoyed our stay here very much. Large campsite. Mostly level parking pad. Lots of shade and lots of quiet. Not a whole lot for the kiddos to do and therefore we didn’t see any. Close to the summit of Cottonwood Pass and not too far from Taylor Reservoir. A lot of good hiking trails nearby.
Patricia V
VerifiedJune 29, 2024 • Stayed at: D, Loop: COLL
Enjoyed our stay here very much. Large campsite. Mostly level parking pad. Lots of shade and lots of quiet. Not a whole lot for the kiddos to do and therefore we didn’t see any. Close to the summit of Cottonwood Pass and not too far from Taylor Reservoir. A lot of good hiking trails nearby.
Deb t
VerifiedJune 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
Camp hosts Jullietta and Amber are top notch- very polished at what they do and help you to feel very welcomed . Bathrooms and grounds clean and well kept.
Deb t
VerifiedJune 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
Camp hosts Jullietta and Amber are top notch- very polished at what they do and help you to feel very welcomed . Bathrooms and grounds clean and well kept.
Darrell M
VerifiedOctober 2, 2023 • Stayed at: D, Loop: COLL
Central to many activities like the Continental Divide up Cottonwood Pass, hot springs, St. Emo Ghost Town, hiking on the Continental Divide Trail, the Colorado Trail and to 14ers, stream and lake fishing and easy driving back to Buena Vista. Also, the host was very friendly and informational about fishing near the campgroound. The toilets were in very good condition and clean.
Darrell M
VerifiedOctober 2, 2023 • Stayed at: D, Loop: COLL
Central to many activities like the Continental Divide up Cottonwood Pass, hot springs, St. Emo Ghost Town, hiking on the Continental Divide Trail, the Colorado Trail and to 14ers, stream and lake fishing and easy driving back to Buena Vista. Also, the host was very friendly and informational about fishing near the campgroound. The toilets were in very good condition and clean.
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
