About Collegiate Peaks
Number of accommodations: 44
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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44 Sites Available
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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.
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
Kathryn D
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2024 • Stayed at: O, Loop: COLL
Very nice campground. Sites are good and everything, including bathrooms were very clean. Stayed for 2 days by myself and was comfortable the whole time.
Meghan L
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2024 • Stayed at: P, Loop: COLL
Cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever seen. Great location. Close to many awesome trails. Huge campsite and close to the restrooms. Great camp hosts.
Henry G
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2024 • Stayed at: H, Loop: COLL
Nothing for public review.
Stacy H
VerifiedAugust 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: COLL
Beautiful campground! We were in site 13, and it was massive. So fun to explore and plenty of space between the sites in our area. I noticed other sections where sites were closer together however. You could hear the river running nearby. Camp hosts were super nice. Facilities were clean. Would definitely go back!
Valerie N
VerifiedAugust 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
We loved Collegiate Peaks. We had come over from two nights at Chalk Lake which is a much smaller campground and completely different. This campground is set in the forest, in aspen groves and it is so beautiful. We hiked to Hartenstein Lake one morning, from the Denny Creek Trailhead (Mount Yale) just literally a mile down from the campground. Vault toilets are super clean. It's big enough that you can make a good 20-minute loop walk from end to end of the campground. Road is pretty pot-holey but it was doable in my Toyota Highlander with a small trailer, if I went slowly. Campsite is nice, big and clean, campsites are huge and private. Really lovely. When we left we headed out west on CR 306 and went over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Lake and Crested Butte. Gorgeous drive. You Coloradoans are sooooooooo lucky.
ron h
VerifiedJuly 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: COLL
Enjoyed the site. #8 was small for a 24 ft camper but worked. Creek in background was nice, and some how not too buggy. Lots to do in the area. Nice trip.
Christopher B
VerifiedJuly 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: COLL
This is a great campground. Most sites are large, and being in the woods is great. Some sights are close to the road, so there is a bit of road noise during the day, but at night it was very quiet. Great place!
Colin C
VerifiedJuly 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: COLL
Fantastic campsite away from the main road with a stream running alongside. Deer and moose wandered through in the morning and evening. Will definitely be back.
Karen L
VerifiedJuly 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: COLL
Location of this campground is ideal to access beautiful hikes and fly fishing opportunities in the area. The campground was immaculately maintained.
Marianne H
VerifiedJuly 29, 2024 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: COLL
Except for the water quality, I love the location. Tall trees. Lots of shade. Near hiking and lakes.
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.
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. |
