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. This is a popular campground and is normally full starting on Friday, sometimes as early as Thursday, so plan accordingly.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 56 |
Site guide
56 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| B | Back-in | Gravel | Full | No / No | 8 / 2 | |
| C | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| D | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| E | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| F | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| G | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| H | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| I | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| J | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers several single-family sites on three loops. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring and grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Sites# 1, and 18-30 are first come-first served, also called "Walk-up" sites. All other sites are reservable. Site #2 is used by the host from mid-May through September. After that time it is available as a "walk-up", first-come, first-served site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Pike-San Isabel National Forests |
| Booking | Sites may be reserved by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 at least 4 days in advance. (Friday and Saturday 2-night minimum required stay for weekend reservations. |
| Fees | $25 per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle. $10.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. Self-servicing fee tube is available. |
| Rules | Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV). Maximum RV length is 50 ft. Due to the presence of endangered boreal toads ( Anaxyrus boreas boreas ) in the beaver ponds, anglers are asked to disinfect their waders and boots with a bleach and water solution. This is to prevent the spread of a chytrid fungus that can kill the tiny toads. |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Salida, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.8131° N, 106.3153° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.
Fire nearby
- WildfireWillow
30 mi from the campground · 7,359 acres · 92% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Colorado Kayak Supply ↗ | 10.2 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 12 mi |
| RV sales & service | Holiday RV ↗ | 24.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Collegiate Peaks Campground - Buena Vista Colorado
Worth a stop
Cottonwood Pass is a high mountain pass across the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. The road reaches the divide at an elevation of 12,126 feet. The Collegiate Peaks Wilderness offers challenging trails and prime backcountry fishing lakes. The Town of Buena Vista is only a short drive away where visitors can enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops, incredible art galleries and a large selection of antique shops. The area boasts more than 100 miles of Arkansas River to raft, fish, float or kayak in, as well as fifteen 14,000 ft mountains. Visitors can choose from recreational activities like hiking, biking, ATV/UTV riding, kayaking, rafting, fishing, horseback riding, zipping and swimming.
- 1.7 mi
- 7.3 miTexas Creek Horse Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.2 miChalk Lake Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 1 miBrowns Pass ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.9 miMt. Yale3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.5 miHartenstein Lake0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.3 miPtarmigan Lake ↗3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.5 miPoplar Gulch ↗6.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 3.7 miKroenke Lake ↗5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 1 miDenny Creek Trailhead ↗Pike-San Isabel National Forests
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness begins about 5.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.6 miCollegiate Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 165,874 acres
- 12.9 miBuffalo Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 41,281 acres
- 14.3 miBrowns Canyon National Monument ↗National Monument · Bureau of Land Management · 21,709 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Maxwell Park SchoolBuilding · Buena Vista · 9.1 mi
- J. M. Bonney HouseBuilding · Buena Vista · 9.8 mi
- Kelley–McDonald HouseBuilding · Buena Vista · 9.8 mi
Natural features
The campground sits at an elevation of 9,800 feet, tucked in a dense stand of mixed conifers and aspen. Some sites sit alongside the creek while others are tucked back in the woods. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during summer months.
Recreation
Hiking and fishing are among the most popular activities. The Denny Creek Trailhead is less than a mile away and it take hikers through Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area to destinations such as Kroenke Lake and Mt. Yale. The Ptarmigan Lake Trailhead is less than 3 miles from the campground and boasts views of vivid wildflowers. Middle Cottonwood Creek is small but fairly well-stocked with brook trout. Determined anglers can often pull rainbow and cutthroat trout from the beaver ponds west of the campground.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Collegiate Peaks?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Collegiate Peaks?
$25 per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Collegiate Peaks?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Collegiate Peaks?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Collegiate Peaks open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Collegiate Peaks have?
56 sites, including 56 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Collegiate Peaks?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Collegiate Peaks?
Yes, pets are allowed at Collegiate Peaks. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Collegiate Peaks?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV).
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Collegiate Peaks?
Hiking and fishing are among the most popular activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Collegiate Peaks?
Salida, Colorado. Cottonwood Pass is a high mountain pass across the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains.
Source: Getting there
What if Collegiate Peaks is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cottonwood Lake - Psicc (2.5 mi, first-come), Iron City (7.3 mi, first-come), and Mirror Lake Campground (7.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby