OutReserve

Collegiate Peaks

Picnic table with aspen trees with fall foliage
Campsite with view of aspen trees with fall foliege
Campsite with shade and picnic table
Campsite surrounded by trees
Shaded campsite with picnic table and fire pit

About Collegiate Peaks

Collegiate Peaks Campground is located 11 miles west of Buena Vista, Colorado, along Middle Cottonwood Creek near the top of Cottonwood Pass. The campground offers well-spaced campsites and scenic views of the surrounding mountains. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring local trails. A commercial hot springs inn and spa is located about 5 miles east of the campground. "First come, first served" does not necessarily mean that the site will be available when you get there. Someone may get there before you. This is a popular campground and is normally full starting on Friday, sometimes as early as Thursday, so plan accordingly.

Number of accommodations: 44

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed - Opens on May 15

Sites & Availability

44 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 003, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 004, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 005, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 007, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 008, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 010, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 011, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 012, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 014, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 016, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 017, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 024, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 025, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 026, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 031, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 032, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 033, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 034, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 035, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 036, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 037, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 038, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 039, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 040, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 A, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 B, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 C, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 D, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 E, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 F, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 G, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 H, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 I, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 J, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 K, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 L, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 M, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 N, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 O, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night
🚐 P, Loop: COLL
No Hookups
$25.00
/ per night

Reviews (267)

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

4.5
267 reviews
5
71.9%
192
4
15.4%
41
3
7.5%
20
2
3.7%
10
1
1.5%
4

brad e

Verified

June 8, 2025 Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL

5

Clean facilities, host communicative, and checked on us, asked if we needed anything and offered firewood. Will come back.

Penny B

Verified

June 3, 2025 Stayed at: 015, Loop: COLL

5

Wonderful, new camp hosts. They really care about the job they are doing. Beautiful site next to the water. Nice hike up to the lake

Lena M

Verified

June 2, 2025 Stayed at: 024, Loop: COLL

5

It was our first time at this campground and we really liked it. Our site was so private and even moose stopped by. The camp host couple was amazing. I saw them working so hard around. Unfortunately, we could not hike what we planned as trails were still covered with snow (May 25), but had great views over the Cottonwood pass and relaxed in the hot springs nearby. Definitely will return.

Samuel W

Verified

May 27, 2025 Stayed at: O, Loop: COLL

2

Great campsite with good amenities. Camp host ran their generator both nights after the advertised quiet hours of 10 pm to 6 am which made sleeping difficult.

Greg B

Verified

February 3, 2025 Stayed at: G, Loop: COLL

5

Love the Collegiate Peaks campground; it's one of our favorites. Many of the sites are beautiful. Camp hosts were helpful. Close to Cottonwood Pass, Mt Yale (a 14er) trail, and several other destinations.

October 2, 2024 Stayed at: 033, Loop: COLL

5

We stayed at site 8 (1 night) and site 33 (multiple nights). We were in the area for hiking for most of a week, and had to book multiple sites due to availability when planning. The hosts were friendly to talk with, and were happy to let us stay on site 33 for the last night and easily changed our reservation based on availability, which was great, as it saved us from moving our tents yet again. We had 3 tents and both sites had enough space. Site 8 had enough flat-ish spots, and you can easily hear the creek. Most of the site is under tree cover, and is somewhat close to other sites. Site 33 was very much in the open near the parking spots, and this was great for star gazing. It was a bit farther from sites, but in the open. However, it also had some space near the river, with some trees that were great hammocks. This was likely the best part of the site. The hosts had plenty of firewood as well - there was no concern whatsoever about not being able to get wood on-site. Great campground; would love to go back.

Scott S

Verified

September 26, 2024 Stayed at: 016, Loop: COLL

5

Located near several trail heads, good size camp sites, most of all quiet. Enjoyed the stay

Kevin M

Verified

September 23, 2024 Stayed at: 036, Loop: COLL

5

Great spot not really a level spot on the campsite but you definitely have the high ground from the campsites around you just find a good spot and make the best of it. You may wake up to a moose licking your tent at 4:30am

Todd D

Verified

September 16, 2024 Stayed at: F, Loop: COLL

5

Gorgeous, quiet spot within hearing of the creek. Not many other campers so I had easy access to the water but all the campers were friendly. As stated, bathrooms were impeccable and the camp hosts were friendly and helpful. Will return for sure

William W

Verified

September 14, 2024 Stayed at: 033, Loop: COLL

5

The campground is in an ideal location & there is not a bad site. The park hosts were fantastic! They were friendly & kept everything neat, tidy, and clean. Follow them on YouTube. Everyone at the campground was respectful & kept noise to a minimum. Bathrooms were exceptionally clean. We cannot wait to stay there again. Happy camping!

Location Collegiate Peaks

Address:
Salida Ranger District Office
Salida, CO, 81201
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 38.8131 / -106.315

Elevation: 3013 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Please disinfect waders and boots when fishing in beaver ponds; this will help protect endangered toads from the spread of chytrid fungus

General

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

General

This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations

General

No hookups available

General

Click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests

General

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.

General

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.

General

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.

General

Two vehicles or one RV/Trailer and tow vehicle per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle. 

General

Firewood is available for sale at host site for $10.00/bundle.

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