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
Asa K
VerifiedJuly 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: COLL
Stayed at campsite 10 over 4th of July weekend. Site was clean when we arrived, and vault toilets were regularly maintained. Shady, secluded, and quiet. The one issue was the potable water supply. One pump was broken and the only other one I could find produced rusty water. It stained my water container and is hard to clean out. Glad I brought my own drinking water, and used the pump for hand washing and dishes.
Mark R
VerifiedJuly 12, 2020 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL
The campground is beautiful and is in a nice location, close to Buena Vista, great hiking trails, and scenic drives up Cottonwood Pass. However, the majority of sites are not even close to level. The site I reserved was long enough and wide enough for our 30 ft. trailer. Unfortunately, the only part of the site that was remotely level was on one side, forcing me to go to major contortions to get the trailer level. Add to that the trees close on either side, and it was a nightmare. I would recommend this campground only for tent campers or those with smaller trailers and RVs.
Asa K
VerifiedJuly 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: COLL
Stayed at campsite 10 over 4th of July weekend. Site was clean when we arrived, and vault toilets were regularly maintained. Shady, secluded, and quiet. The one issue was the potable water supply. One pump was broken and the only other one I could find produced rusty water. It stained my water container and is hard to clean out. Glad I brought my own drinking water, and used the pump for hand washing and dishes.
Mark R
VerifiedJuly 12, 2020 • Stayed at: N, Loop: COLL
The campground is beautiful and is in a nice location, close to Buena Vista, great hiking trails, and scenic drives up Cottonwood Pass. However, the majority of sites are not even close to level. The site I reserved was long enough and wide enough for our 30 ft. trailer. Unfortunately, the only part of the site that was remotely level was on one side, forcing me to go to major contortions to get the trailer level. Add to that the trees close on either side, and it was a nightmare. I would recommend this campground only for tent campers or those with smaller trailers and RVs.
Mike O
VerifiedJune 28, 2020 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
Good news: Beautiful area! New bathrooms. Wonderful stream running by many of the south-side campsites.
Bad news: PLEASE FIX WATER SUPPLY!! 1 water pump broken, the other water water pump gives nasty rusty water. Yuck! Had to fill jugs in town at the park by the main street intersections.
Be prepared for the occasional generator. When we were there, the "loop sites" at the end happened to have at least 3 trailers/RVs with generators running off and on throughout the day, starting very early in the morning. Not terribly loud, but very smelly.
Mike O
VerifiedJune 28, 2020 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
Good news: Beautiful area! New bathrooms. Wonderful stream running by many of the south-side campsites.
Bad news: PLEASE FIX WATER SUPPLY!! 1 water pump broken, the other water water pump gives nasty rusty water. Yuck! Had to fill jugs in town at the park by the main street intersections.
Be prepared for the occasional generator. When we were there, the "loop sites" at the end happened to have at least 3 trailers/RVs with generators running off and on throughout the day, starting very early in the morning. Not terribly loud, but very smelly.
Danielle S
VerifiedJune 21, 2020 • Stayed at: L, Loop: COLL
Beautiful, clean campground!
Danielle S
VerifiedJune 21, 2020 • Stayed at: L, Loop: COLL
Beautiful, clean campground!
Kirsten B
VerifiedJune 18, 2020 • Stayed at: H, Loop: COLL
Large campsites, great shade, lots of trees. Hosts were friendly and kept the bathrooms very clean. Will absolutely camp here again!
Kirsten B
VerifiedJune 18, 2020 • Stayed at: H, Loop: COLL
Large campsites, great shade, lots of trees. Hosts were friendly and kept the bathrooms very clean. Will absolutely camp here again!
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
