About Collegiate Peaks
Number of accommodations: 44
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
44 Sites Available
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Site Details
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44 Sites Available
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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
John M
VerifiedAugust 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: COLL
The campsites were clean, hosts were awesome, and it was the perfect location. I’d stay here anytime!
Jordan E
VerifiedAugust 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
Great little spot, the creek is a short walk away and there is a wonderful Aspen grove directly to the back of the site. We had three tents, 1 small, 1 big and 1 BIG and we had ample space. Would highly recommend if you're looking for camping with solid privacy without total seclusion. Bathrooms were well upkept as well which is always nice.
Eugene S
VerifiedAugust 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: COLL
This is a very nice campground that we used once previously. It is clean and usually pretty quiet. At some of the sites you can hear the road, but it's not bad. Some maps show a small trail at the far end of the campgrounds, but it is very wet and swampy and unusable. Great access point for the many treasures on both sides of Cottonwood Pass.
Michael L
VerifiedAugust 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: COLL
Our campsite was very spacious with plenty of tent sites. The camp bathrooms were very clean too! Cottonwood Hot Springs is right down the street and amazing
scott b
VerifiedAugust 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: COLL
The campsite is great and sites are spaced fairly far apart from each other. The low rating is because the host was non existent, for three days had a sign out that said off duty and bathrooms were not stocked or cleaned during that time.
Teresa L
VerifiedAugust 14, 2025 • Stayed at: L, Loop: COLL
have been here many times. one of my favorites.
Jonathan W
VerifiedAugust 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL
The reservation process was very easy. It was helpful to see pictures of each campsite as well as a map of the campground. There were very clear instructions on accessing the campsite and how to have the best experience possible while there.
Dan M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2025 • Stayed at: P, Loop: COLL
Great site!
James S
VerifiedAugust 13, 2025 • Stayed at: D, Loop: COLL
We have a 23’ trailer and was fortunate enough to get a great spot that allowed the trailer and our truck to fit without any issues. The spacing between campsites was nice and the sound of the small river behind us was pleasant. I don’t believe the camp host was there for all 4 days of our visit, there was a sign saying he was gone for some reason but anyway on walks some of the vault toilets smelled bad but with our trailer we didn’t have to use them.
This was our second visit and overall we like it a lot, mainly for the scenery and large spacing between sites.
Thomas K
VerifiedAugust 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: COLL
This campground is well managed and in a beautiful location.
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. |
