Available sites
44 total sites
RV Sites
About Collegiate Peaks
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Fishing
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
Rates, Sites & Availability
44 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
44 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
Jan P
VerifiedAugust 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: COLL
Great campground and wonderful hosts
Elizabeth R
VerifiedAugust 18, 2022 • Stayed at: I, Loop: COLL
Wonderful campground. Stayed 1 night in spot I backing up to the creek. Bear lockers and great smelling pit toilets!
Elizabeth R
VerifiedAugust 18, 2022 • Stayed at: I, Loop: COLL
Wonderful campground. Stayed 1 night in spot I backing up to the creek. Bear lockers and great smelling pit toilets!
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
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
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 19, 2026
Need help?
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Replies within minutes
Explore Salida, CO
Population: 5,861
Elevation: 7,051 ft
From our Travel Guides
