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
Cory F
VerifiedAugust 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: COLL
Family friendly and super awesome campground. Saw some amazing meteors! Excellent hikes near by. Love the Lost Lake hike in Cottonwood pass. It was a little buggy.
Cory F
VerifiedAugust 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: COLL
Family friendly and super awesome campground. Saw some amazing meteors! Excellent hikes near by. Love the Lost Lake hike in Cottonwood pass. It was a little buggy.
Geoffrey M
VerifiedAugust 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: COLL
Campground water from hand pump is very rusty. You might consider bringing your own drinking water.
Geoffrey M
VerifiedAugust 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: COLL
Campground water from hand pump is very rusty. You might consider bringing your own drinking water.
Scott R
VerifiedAugust 20, 2021 • Stayed at: L, Loop: COLL
Overall the campground was amazing. We didn't see a bad site in the whole campground. Every site has shade and trees with a fire ring and picnic bench. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest vault toilets that I've ever visited. My only complaint is that when we asked the host about the potable water spigot, she said, "It has lots of iron and sediment but, according to the state of Colorado, it's potable." That did not inspire confidence in the drinking water source. It might have been fine but she definitely made it sound suspect. We ended up pumping and filtering water from the river. Otherwise, everything was awesome!
Derrick W
VerifiedAugust 20, 2021 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL
Camp ground hosts where awesome. Clean toilets, well kept site and beautiful views.
Scott R
VerifiedAugust 20, 2021 • Stayed at: L, Loop: COLL
Overall the campground was amazing. We didn't see a bad site in the whole campground. Every site has shade and trees with a fire ring and picnic bench. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest vault toilets that I've ever visited. My only complaint is that when we asked the host about the potable water spigot, she said, "It has lots of iron and sediment but, according to the state of Colorado, it's potable." That did not inspire confidence in the drinking water source. It might have been fine but she definitely made it sound suspect. We ended up pumping and filtering water from the river. Otherwise, everything was awesome!
Derrick W
VerifiedAugust 20, 2021 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL
Camp ground hosts where awesome. Clean toilets, well kept site and beautiful views.
Annette E
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: COLL
This campground is very nice and in a quiet location. The campsite host is extremely helpful. Sites are clearly marked. Cottonwood Pass is only 8 miles up the road - great views.
Mark B
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 • Stayed at: L, Loop: COLL
Just a wonderful campsite and love staying there, the river there is always so wonderful and the sites are clean. The host this year was amazing again! Great job!
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
