About Collegiate Peaks
Number of accommodations: 44
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
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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
Kathy M
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2020 • Stayed at: K, Loop: COLL
The area was beautiful. We loved being so close to the stream. The bathrooms were cleaned throughout the day and stayed pretty fresh. The camp host was personable and accommodating! Even the Police officer from town that checked on the campsite in the evening was great. We will be back for sure and have already told friends about the area.
Abby Q
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2020 • Stayed at: A, Loop: COLL
We really enjoyed our stay here. We camped on Monday and Tuesday nights and only had neighbors the first night, who were very nice and quiet. The bathrooms were nice and clean and the setting overall was just wonderful. One thing that was a little odd was that a nature trail went right in front of our fire pit. So there were a few times that people walked right through our site which was a bit awkward. Not a big deal though and I'd love to come back sometime!
Elizabeth G
VerifiedAugust 26, 2020 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL
Lovely well spaced camp ground. The grounds and bathrooms are very clean.
The only draw back, was the water. It’s rusty well water only for you grey water tank. Take your own drinking water.
I will definitely go back!
Richard F
VerifiedAugust 21, 2020 • Stayed at: K, Loop: COLL
Multiple sites (at least 6) were reserved but unoccupied on a Thursday- reserved until Sunday. Those sites should have opened up to FCFS.
Jennifer V
VerifiedAugust 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: COLL
We love Collegiate Peaks campground! Very clean and well kept.
Katherine T
VerifiedAugust 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: COLL
Beautiful site. My favorite campground.
Steven D
VerifiedAugust 11, 2020 • Stayed at: I, Loop: COLL
pit toilets were overflowing and smelled up the campsite. Awful smell.
Elspeth B
VerifiedAugust 10, 2020 • Stayed at: A, Loop: COLL
Beautiful place!! Great campsites.
Matthew I
VerifiedAugust 8, 2020 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL
Amazing, clean and beautiful campground. So close to the trailhead for Mt. Yale, as well as many other great Cottonwood Pass trailheads. Also, close to the Cottonwood Springs Hot Springs, which is nice after hiking a 14er like Mt. Yale. The hosts were great. Can't wait to come back!
robert s
VerifiedAugust 6, 2020 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: COLL
Beautiful place. Don't let Apple Maps take you to the Mt Princeton Hot Spring Area, south of Collegiate Peaks, instead (which is beautiful also).
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. |
