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
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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
Glen P
VerifiedAugust 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: COLL
The campsite was tidy, and bathrooms were very clean. The camp hosts were friendly, approachable, and worked hard.
THe sign at the entrance should be LARGER that states the quiet hours are from 10:00pm to 6;00(?) am. It is in very small letters, and hard to find.
Some guy had his generator on all afternoon, and until 10:30PM
Quiet hours should be CHANGED to be 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Glen P
VerifiedAugust 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: COLL
The campsite was tidy, and bathrooms were very clean. The camp hosts were friendly, approachable, and worked hard.
THe sign at the entrance should be LARGER that states the quiet hours are from 10:00pm to 6;00(?) am. It is in very small letters, and hard to find.
Some guy had his generator on all afternoon, and until 10:30PM
Quiet hours should be CHANGED to be 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Mark R
VerifiedAugust 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL
The campground has a nice location right off the road leading up Cottonwood Pass. However, it could use some work to get it up to the standards enjoyed at other National Forest campgrounds. For one thing, most sites can not accommodate longer (25 ft and up) RVs or trailers. Many, if not most, are too short, and many that are long enough have issues in that they are not even close to level and/or are extremely difficult to back into. This poses problems for the uninitiated who make reservations online based on the length of the site.
Furthermore, the water spigots were off the weekend I was there (Memorial Day) without notice. Though it was okay for me since I have a trailer and the tanks were full, it would have been a major inconvenience if you were tent camping.
Mark R
VerifiedAugust 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL
The campground has a nice location right off the road leading up Cottonwood Pass. However, it could use some work to get it up to the standards enjoyed at other National Forest campgrounds. For one thing, most sites can not accommodate longer (25 ft and up) RVs or trailers. Many, if not most, are too short, and many that are long enough have issues in that they are not even close to level and/or are extremely difficult to back into. This poses problems for the uninitiated who make reservations online based on the length of the site.
Furthermore, the water spigots were off the weekend I was there (Memorial Day) without notice. Though it was okay for me since I have a trailer and the tanks were full, it would have been a major inconvenience if you were tent camping.
William W
VerifiedAugust 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: COLL
My wedding party and I stayed here for my bachelor's party camping trip! The campground was great! There was good tree cover and great sites. It seemed very safe and we had no issue leaving camp set-up while spending the day golfing and hitting the hot springs in Buena Vista! Thanks for the great stay!
William W
VerifiedAugust 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: COLL
My wedding party and I stayed here for my bachelor's party camping trip! The campground was great! There was good tree cover and great sites. It seemed very safe and we had no issue leaving camp set-up while spending the day golfing and hitting the hot springs in Buena Vista! Thanks for the great stay!
Patrick T
VerifiedAugust 3, 2022 • Stayed at: A, Loop: COLL
Great location near Buena Vista. Tree coverage and the sounds of Cottonwood creek are highlights! Space A is level and plenty big. The roads in the campground could use a little repair. Bathroom was very clean
Patrick T
VerifiedAugust 3, 2022 • Stayed at: A, Loop: COLL
Great location near Buena Vista. Tree coverage and the sounds of Cottonwood creek are highlights! Space A is level and plenty big. The roads in the campground could use a little repair. Bathroom was very clean
Janine P
VerifiedAugust 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: COLL
Great campground. We thought site #33 was the best in the campground. It was private and directly on the creek with three great options for a pretty large tent: two on grass and one right on the creek in the trees and far off the road. The creek was great for fishing. The picnic table area and fire pit had amazing views of the mountains. No water. The hosts were lovely.
Gary T
VerifiedAugust 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: COLL
The roads and sites have lots of issues. Road potholes are very damaging to RVs. Need to be filled in and road grated. Also campsites are very unlevel. Dirt needs to be brought in and leveled off. Hard for seniors to walk around campsite or even to get out of camper.
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.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
