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44 total sites
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About Collegiate Peaks
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2026 Season availability
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- Potable Water
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- Firewood Available
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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
Penny B
VerifiedJune 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: COLL
Wonderful, new camp hosts. They really care about the job they are doing. Beautiful site next to the water. Nice hike up to the lake
Lena M
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: COLL
It was our first time at this campground and we really liked it. Our site was so private and even moose stopped by. The camp host couple was amazing. I saw them working so hard around. Unfortunately, we could not hike what we planned as trails were still covered with snow (May 25), but had great views over the Cottonwood pass and relaxed in the hot springs nearby. Definitely will return.
Lena M
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: COLL
It was our first time at this campground and we really liked it. Our site was so private and even moose stopped by. The camp host couple was amazing. I saw them working so hard around. Unfortunately, we could not hike what we planned as trails were still covered with snow (May 25), but had great views over the Cottonwood pass and relaxed in the hot springs nearby. Definitely will return.
Samuel W
VerifiedMay 27, 2025 • Stayed at: O, Loop: COLL
Great campsite with good amenities. Camp host ran their generator both nights after the advertised quiet hours of 10 pm to 6 am which made sleeping difficult.
Samuel W
VerifiedMay 27, 2025 • Stayed at: O, Loop: COLL
Great campsite with good amenities. Camp host ran their generator both nights after the advertised quiet hours of 10 pm to 6 am which made sleeping difficult.
Greg B
VerifiedFebruary 3, 2025 • Stayed at: G, Loop: COLL
Love the Collegiate Peaks campground; it's one of our favorites. Many of the sites are beautiful. Camp hosts were helpful. Close to Cottonwood Pass, Mt Yale (a 14er) trail, and several other destinations.
Greg B
VerifiedFebruary 3, 2025 • Stayed at: G, Loop: COLL
Love the Collegiate Peaks campground; it's one of our favorites. Many of the sites are beautiful. Camp hosts were helpful. Close to Cottonwood Pass, Mt Yale (a 14er) trail, and several other destinations.
October 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: COLL
We stayed at site 8 (1 night) and site 33 (multiple nights). We were in the area for hiking for most of a week, and had to book multiple sites due to availability when planning. The hosts were friendly to talk with, and were happy to let us stay on site 33 for the last night and easily changed our reservation based on availability, which was great, as it saved us from moving our tents yet again. We had 3 tents and both sites had enough space. Site 8 had enough flat-ish spots, and you can easily hear the creek. Most of the site is under tree cover, and is somewhat close to other sites. Site 33 was very much in the open near the parking spots, and this was great for star gazing. It was a bit farther from sites, but in the open. However, it also had some space near the river, with some trees that were great hammocks. This was likely the best part of the site. The hosts had plenty of firewood as well - there was no concern whatsoever about not being able to get wood on-site. Great campground; would love to go back.
October 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: COLL
We stayed at site 8 (1 night) and site 33 (multiple nights). We were in the area for hiking for most of a week, and had to book multiple sites due to availability when planning. The hosts were friendly to talk with, and were happy to let us stay on site 33 for the last night and easily changed our reservation based on availability, which was great, as it saved us from moving our tents yet again. We had 3 tents and both sites had enough space. Site 8 had enough flat-ish spots, and you can easily hear the creek. Most of the site is under tree cover, and is somewhat close to other sites. Site 33 was very much in the open near the parking spots, and this was great for star gazing. It was a bit farther from sites, but in the open. However, it also had some space near the river, with some trees that were great hammocks. This was likely the best part of the site. The hosts had plenty of firewood as well - there was no concern whatsoever about not being able to get wood on-site. Great campground; would love to go back.
October 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: COLL
We stayed at site 8 (1 night) and site 33 (multiple nights). We were in the area for hiking for most of a week, and had to book multiple sites due to availability when planning. The hosts were friendly to talk with, and were happy to let us stay on site 33 for the last night and easily changed our reservation based on availability, which was great, as it saved us from moving our tents yet again. We had 3 tents and both sites had enough space. Site 8 had enough flat-ish spots, and you can easily hear the creek. Most of the site is under tree cover, and is somewhat close to other sites. Site 33 was very much in the open near the parking spots, and this was great for star gazing. It was a bit farther from sites, but in the open. However, it also had some space near the river, with some trees that were great hammocks. This was likely the best part of the site. The hosts had plenty of firewood as well - there was no concern whatsoever about not being able to get wood on-site. Great campground; would love to go back.
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
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