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
Jenny R
VerifiedJuly 6, 2022 • Stayed at: F, Loop: COLL
This is hands down one of my favorite campsites. I'm a Colorado native and have camped all over the state. It's only 2 hours from Denver. The sites are forested, shaded, clean and good sized. The river is so lovely, falling asleep to river sounds is so soothing. Did I mention the start at night!!! WOAH. The only issue with this site is how hard it is to book. I swear there are bots buying up the sites. The past 2 years I was unable to get a site. This year I was lucky.
John M
VerifiedJuly 6, 2022 • Stayed at: O, Loop: COLL
Campground was extremely clean and camp host were very friendly and accommodating.
Will definitely return in the future.
Jenny R
VerifiedJuly 6, 2022 • Stayed at: F, Loop: COLL
This is hands down one of my favorite campsites. I'm a Colorado native and have camped all over the state. It's only 2 hours from Denver. The sites are forested, shaded, clean and good sized. The river is so lovely, falling asleep to river sounds is so soothing. Did I mention the start at night!!! WOAH. The only issue with this site is how hard it is to book. I swear there are bots buying up the sites. The past 2 years I was unable to get a site. This year I was lucky.
John M
VerifiedJuly 6, 2022 • Stayed at: O, Loop: COLL
Campground was extremely clean and camp host were very friendly and accommodating.
Will definitely return in the future.
Amy C
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: K, Loop: COLL
The bathrooms were spotless, stocked and easy to access. The camp hosts Al and Jocelyn were easy to reach if needed, eager to help and prepared for everything. We have enjoyed this location for many years and it continues to be an excellent adventure each time. The roads might need a little more back filling as certain potholes have existed for over a year or more.
Coleen E
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: COLL
Beautiful location. Good nearby hiking. Loved the sound of the river. We saw moose and deer in the area until the off-leash dogs started after them. It was wonderful that this campground had mostly tent campers and was free of the noise of generators. Most of the parking areas of campground sites were too short for campers. The campground hosts are nice and keep the campground in good shape. The hosts keep water in a tank near their site. The water from the single pump available was very yellow. I'd suggest bringing your own drinking water. We used river water for dishwashing and to put out our fire. As is often the case, I wish for people to drive slower through the campground for safety and to keep the dust down. I also wish people did a better job of cleaning up after their dogs and keeping them on their leash or long cable in their sites.
Amy C
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: K, Loop: COLL
The bathrooms were spotless, stocked and easy to access. The camp hosts Al and Jocelyn were easy to reach if needed, eager to help and prepared for everything. We have enjoyed this location for many years and it continues to be an excellent adventure each time. The roads might need a little more back filling as certain potholes have existed for over a year or more.
Coleen E
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: COLL
Beautiful location. Good nearby hiking. Loved the sound of the river. We saw moose and deer in the area until the off-leash dogs started after them. It was wonderful that this campground had mostly tent campers and was free of the noise of generators. Most of the parking areas of campground sites were too short for campers. The campground hosts are nice and keep the campground in good shape. The hosts keep water in a tank near their site. The water from the single pump available was very yellow. I'd suggest bringing your own drinking water. We used river water for dishwashing and to put out our fire. As is often the case, I wish for people to drive slower through the campground for safety and to keep the dust down. I also wish people did a better job of cleaning up after their dogs and keeping them on their leash or long cable in their sites.
Raelynn S
VerifiedJune 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: COLL
Good spots, 38 & 39 are close, good for friends/family going together, I otherwise would not want to be that close to my camping neighbors.
Raelynn S
VerifiedJune 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: COLL
38 & 39 are CLOSE; good spots for friends/family going together, but I wouldn’t recommend otherwise. Sites were clean, bathrooms were as well, camp host was nice. I’d go back!
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
