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44 total sites
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About Collegiate Peaks
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
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Hiking
Year-round
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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44 Sites Available
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Reviews (607)
What Guests Are Saying
Collegiate Peaks campground offers a clean, well-maintained environment with spacious, private sites surrounded by beautiful nature, including a creek and abundant wildlife. Campers appreciate the helpful hosts and the proximity to numerous hiking trails and outdoor activities. While some sites may be unlevel and the water quality could be improved, the overall experience remains positive, making it a favorite destination for many visitors.
What Guests Are Saying
Collegiate Peaks campground offers a clean, well-maintained environment with spacious, private sites surrounded by beautiful nature, including a creek and abundant wildlife. Campers appreciate the helpful hosts and the proximity to numerous hiking trails and outdoor activities. While some sites may be unlevel and the water quality could be improved, the overall experience remains positive, making it a favorite destination for many visitors.
Review Summary
Yu J
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: COLL
Lovely campground! The sites are very spacious and the whole campground was very quiet. Our site (12) is next to and has access to the creek. It is also close to but not too close to the restrooms which was convenient. The host was helpful and friendly. The campground is at a very convenient location - only 15 min from the town, 10 min from Cottonwood pass, 10 min from the hot springs, 2 min from the Denny Creek Trailhead if you are going to hike Mt Yale. The only downside was that the water pumped out from the hand pump was all rusty and gross. Had to get water from the town.
Yu J
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: COLL
Lovely campground! The sites are very spacious and the whole campground was very quiet. Our site (12) is next to and has access to the creek. It is also close to but not too close to the restrooms which was convenient. The host was helpful and friendly. The campground is at a very convenient location - only 15 min from the town, 10 min from Cottonwood pass, 10 min from the hot springs, 2 min from the Denny Creek Trailhead if you are going to hike Mt Yale. The only downside was that the water pumped out from the hand pump was all rusty and gross. Had to get water from the town.
Karen C
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2022 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL
Great location! There is so much to do in this area, including hiking, fishing, bird watching, and it's only about 10 mi from Buena Vista, which has a nice little old downtown area. We hiked at Browns Canyon National Monument, only 8 mi down the road. The campground has lovely, wooded and private spots. There were few campers there in the middle of the week (September.) The bathrooms are immaculate, the host very friendly and helpful. We will go back!
Karen C
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2022 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL
Great location! There is so much to do in this area, including hiking, fishing, bird watching, and it's only about 10 mi from Buena Vista, which has a nice little old downtown area. We hiked at Browns Canyon National Monument, only 8 mi down the road. The campground has lovely, wooded and private spots. There were few campers there in the middle of the week (September.) The bathrooms are immaculate, the host very friendly and helpful. We will go back!
Alison H
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: COLL
Pleasant, well maintained campground.
Alison H
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: COLL
Pleasant, well maintained campground.
Naraya S
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: COLL
Great campground host, great stay, great hiking!
Naraya S
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: COLL
Great campground host, great stay, great hiking!
Katie V
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: COLL
What a wonderful place to camp! I truly enjoyed my stay at Collegiate Peaks Campground. The camp hosts (Joslyn and Al) were extremely helpful and do a great job of taking care of the campground. This is one of my favorite places to stay. It was felt very safe for me as I was traveling alone for 2 weeks. I highly recommend staying at this campground. :)
Katie V
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: COLL
What a wonderful place to camp! I truly enjoyed my stay at Collegiate Peaks Campground. The camp hosts (Joslyn and Al) were extremely helpful and do a great job of taking care of the campground. This is one of my favorite places to stay. It was felt very safe for me as I was traveling alone for 2 weeks. I highly recommend staying at this campground. :)
Location & Directions for Collegiate Peaks
Salida Ranger District Office, Salida, CO 81201 United States
Elevation: 3,013 ft
Getting There
From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 306. At the stoplight, go west for 11 mi
toward Cottonwood Pass. Campground is located on the left-hand side of the
road. Highway 306 is paved on east side of Cottonwood Pass.
Highway access
Collegiate Peaks Campground is accessed via Highway 306, which connects to the south near Buena Vista and heads west toward Cottonwood Pass.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
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Last updated: October 19, 2026
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Population: 5,861
Elevation: 7,051 ft
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