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
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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
Dominic A
VerifiedAugust 5, 2026 • Stayed at: H, Loop: COLL
Site was well maintained, bathrooms were clean, and there were well pumps available a short distance away from where I was camping. I was able to access my site with my beat up 4 cylinder sedan no problem. Campsite is a short drive away from several good trailheads
Chad H
VerifiedAugust 4, 2026 • Stayed at: E, Loop: COLL
Bring your own water. The water at the site is tested but has a ton of iron in it and tastes metallic. Otherwise the campground was great - great campground hosts, clean facilities, nice sites!
Steve K
VerifiedAugust 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: COLL
The campground hosts took great care of the restrooms and cleaned up each site well when campers left.
John H
VerifiedJuly 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: COLL
A wonderful experience with close friends. Close to great hiking trails and the town is 10 mi away if you need a grocery or restaurant.
Diane W
VerifiedJuly 31, 2026 • Stayed at: B, Loop: COLL
lovely sites great camp host
Bruce C
VerifiedJuly 30, 2026 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL
Well kept campground on cottonwood pass with good access to hiking. Everything was as it should be for a campground
Valerie N
VerifiedJuly 29, 2026 • Stayed at: I, Loop: COLL
We stayed in campsite I and it is a winner! Overlooks the creek, tent pad is perfect, close to super clean vault toilets. So fabulous to sleep listening to the creek. The alphabet sites are near the front so you don’t have to deal with the pitted gravel road. Great base for Ptarmigan lake (hard) and ofc Yale. Cottonwood hot springs down the road are great for post-hike. Super nice host couple this summer. I parking spot was perfect for my suv but would be small imo for a pull camper. Definitely too small for rv.
Sue N
VerifiedJuly 29, 2026 • Stayed at: P, Loop: COLL
Beautiful campground, spaces were not on top of each other, and the vault toilets were very clean. Will camp here again.
Greg R
VerifiedJuly 25, 2026 • Stayed at: D, Loop: COLL
Beautiful campsite. Don’t expect anything from the host. He’s off duty.
Justin S
VerifiedJuly 25, 2026 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: COLL
Great visit - pros include proximity to the creek, aspen tree grove, super quiet. My girls and I loved this place.
Some cons - we had a ton of ants at our site which we ended up just getting used to. We also had a 6 person tent, but the site probably was better for a 4-5 person tent or smaller.
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
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Population: 5,861
Elevation: 7,051 ft
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