Campsite with picnic table and fire pit.
Open

Open for the season. Sites 1 and 18-30 are first-come, first-served. Remaining sites are reservable via Recreation.gov at least 4 days in advance. Minimum 2-night stay required on weekends; 3-night minimum on holiday weekends. Walk-ups are exempt from minimums. This is a popular campground that typically fills by Friday, sometimes Thursday.

Red Flag Warning issued July 2 at 2:43PM MDT until July 3 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

2:43 PM — July 3rd, 6:45 AM

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT FRIDAY NIGHT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, AND 230... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229 and 230. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 4 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

Red Flag Warning issued July 2 at 2:43PM MDT until July 4 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

2:43 PM — July 3rd, 6:45 AM

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT FRIDAY NIGHT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, AND 230... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229 and 230. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 4 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

Air Quality Alert issued July 2 at 2:10PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

2:10 PM — July 3rd, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, Cortez and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Thursday July 02 to 900 AM Friday July 03 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Friday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

About

Collegiate Peaks Campground is located 11 miles west of Buena Vista, Colorado, near the top of Cottonwood Pass in San Isabel National Forest. At 9,800 feet elevation, the campground sits in a dense stand of mixed conifers and aspen, with some sites along Middle Cottonwood Creek and others tucked back in the woods. The 56 well-spaced campsites are arranged across three loops, offering a quiet experience with scenic mountain views. Hiking and fishing are the primary draws. The Denny Creek Trailhead is less than a mile away, accessing Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and destinations like Kroenke Lake and Mount Yale. Ptarmigan Lake Trail, about 3 miles west, features vivid wildflowers. Middle Cottonwood Creek holds brook trout, with rainbow and cutthroat in the beaver ponds west of the campground. A commercial hot springs is about 5 miles east. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. The campground has vault toilets and drinking water via hand pump. Maximum occupancy is 8 people per site with 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 RV up to 50 feet. Dogs must be leashed. Firewood is available for purchase at the host site. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during summer months.

Directions

From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 306. At the stoplight, go west for 11 miles toward Cottonwood Pass. Campground is on the left side of the road. Highway 306 is paved on the east side of Cottonwood Pass.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $25

Vehicle

Max RV Length 50ft
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly Yes
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (719) 539-3591

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Campsite with picnic table and fire pit.
Shaded campsite with picnic table and fire pit
Campsite with picnic table surrounded by trees.
Campsite with a view of aspen trees with fall foliage.
Aspen trees with fall foliage.

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