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
Mark B
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 • Stayed at: L, Loop: COLL
Just a wonderful campsite and love staying there, the river there is always so wonderful and the sites are clean. The host this year was amazing again! Great job!
Carlos B
VerifiedAugust 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: COLL
Large campsite with plenty of room. Bathrooms with very clean. Would definitely stay there again.
David E
VerifiedAugust 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: COLL
Clean, well stocked vaults. Campsites in good order. Good location. Peaceful camping-No bear attacks, stampedes, gunshots, fires…
Brian W
VerifiedAugust 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL
Very clean vault toilets. Nice quite campsites other than the road traffic
John H
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: K, Loop: COLL
Collegiate Peaks is one of our favorite campgrounds. You have access to many beautiful trails, hot springs 6 miles away, and the town is close enough to pick up supplies or have a dinner out. What's not to like?
Jean N
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: I, Loop: COLL
No water. They say there’s potable water but it’s orange and tastes horrible. Also, the nearest town, Buena Vista has licked up all of its spigots so campers have no access to water. There is a place to get water but it’s set up for people with accounts and we couldn’t get it to work. The hosts had a tank provided for their own water. They should not say there’s water available when there’s not. Great hosts.
Jordan V
VerifiedAugust 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: COLL
I booked this campsite well in advance as my now fiancé and I planned to get engaged over the weekend. We booked one site and the host was wonderful and kind and flexible; she allowed a number of family and friends to come and celebrate our engagement with fire cooked kabobs that night. We exceeded the vehicle capacity of the site for a couple of hours, but it meant the world to us at this special time to be able to do that. Ultimately everyone left before tucking in for the night, but we couldn't be more thankful to have the space and freedom to host everyone (campers and noncampers) at the site for celebrations. Thanks again! Will definitely revisit this beautiful location.
Proposed at the lost lake hike, a 3mi out and back, easy hike for family and people from out of state as well. Mind the short muddy section. Trail head is on the south side of cottonwood pass about 12mins up the pass from the collegiate peaks campsite. Also reccomend ptarmigan lake hike if you have more time, in the same area, a 6mil round trip I believe.
Deb L
VerifiedJuly 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: COLL
Quiet, shaded campground in a serene mountain location. Close to trailheads and town.
Sallie V
VerifiedJuly 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: COLL
Big campground in a great location with lots of trees & scenery. The hosts were very helpful and friendly.
Zach M
VerifiedJuly 12, 2021 • Stayed at: B, Loop: COLL
Great hosts, lovely setting
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. |
