Is Collegiate Peaks Campground open?
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The Ptarmigan Lake trailhead is located about 2.75 miles west of Collegiate Peaks campground. Denny Creek is located 1 mile west of the campground and accesses the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness area….Day Hiking.
Open Season: | May-October |
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Best Season: | Summer |
What National Forest are the Collegiate Peaks in?
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness was designated by the United States Congress in 1980 and it now has a total of 167,584 acres. Located in Colorado this Wilderness spans the Gunnison, White River, and Pike & San Isabel National Forests.

How many fourteeners are in the Collegiate Peaks?
With eight “fourteeners” (peaks exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation), Collegiate Peaks Wilderness probably possesses the highest average elevation of any Wilderness in the Lower 48.
How many Collegiate Peaks are in Colorado?
Read about all 26 in our Quick Guide to Colorado’s Scenic & Historic Byways; check out our Colorado byways microsite with videos, trip tips and more; or view our virtual Colorado Byways Guide. Photos: Collegiate Peaks range near Buena Vista, the Arkansas River near Salida, Salida scenic overlook.
How did the Collegiate Peaks get their names?

Drainages to the east include headwaters of the Arkansas River. The Collegiate Peaks include some of the highest mountains in the Rockies. The section is so named because several of the mountains are named for prominent universities.
How many Collegiate Peaks are there in Colorado?
Where are the Collegiate Peaks in Colorado?
The Collegiate Peaks Wilderness is a 168,000-acre (680 km2) area located in central Colorado between Leadville and Buena Vista to the east and Aspen to the west and Crested Butte to the southwest.
Why is it called Mount Democrat?
It should be mentioned that while it has gone by both Republic Mountain and Mount Buckskin, “Mount Democrat” was officially selected by miners who didn’t like Republican President Lincoln and really hated that nearby Mount Lincoln was named after him. They changed this peak to Mount Democrat to even the scales.
What mountain is Cottonwood Pass on?
the Continental Divide
Cottonwood Pass rises to the west out of Buena Vista, heading over the Continental Divide. It’s an amazing mountain pass to see colorful fall aspen groves. It connects with Almont near Crested Butte, making it an excellent summer trip. The road closes in winter due to heavy snowfall, usually sometime in October.
Why are the Collegiate Peaks named?
The Collegiate Peaks (or Collegiate Range) is a name given to a section of the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains located in central Colorado. The Collegiate Peaks include some of the highest mountains in the Rockies. The section is so named because several of the mountains are named for prominent universities.
Who was Humboldt peak named after?
Given his love of mountains, it is perhaps not surprising that eighteen peaks and three mountain ranges are named after von Humboldt. At 5020m, the Pik Alexander von Humboldt in Kyrgyzstan, is the highest mountain to bear his name.
When did they pave Cottonwood Pass?
After long-term closures (3 years) and heavy construction, the road to the summit was fully paved the entire way from Buena Vista to Taylor Park Reservoir (and to Crested Butte and/or Gunnison) on 2019.
How many campsites are there at Collegiate Peaks?
Collegiate Peaks campground is heavily wooded with 56 campsites arranged along 3 loops. This campground offers visitors an opportunity for a quiet camping experience with plenty of space between campsites. The Middle Fork of Cottonwood Creek flows along the south side of the campground.
Where is the closest hiking trail to Collegiate Peaks?
The Middle Fork of Cottonwood Creek flows along the south side of the campground. Nearby hiking trails include Ptarmigan Lake and the Denny Creek Trail. The Ptarmigan Lake trailhead is located about 2.75 miles west of Collegiate Peaks campground.
Where is the best place to camp in Colorado?
Collegiate Peaks Campground (Colorado) 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.
Why visit the Collegiate Peaks?
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.