This post may contain affiliate links which means we receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
After our last trip to Colorado, I can honestly say our future travel adventures will never be the same. While on vacation, we made the split-second decision to stay near Marble. We wanted to experience slow travel, taking our time in exploring the Central Colorado area. Part of that experience was to take a Jeep tour from the small town of Marble, Colorado, to the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life… Crystal Mill.
Crystal River Jeep Tours
While you can drive to Crystal Mill yourself (it is a 4WD road), we decided to give the Jeep Tour a try. No stranger to mountain roads, we were excited for the journey ahead. The road to Crystal is a very narrow shelf road, built by settlers in the late 1800’s. They offer several tours, including Lead King Basin, Devil’s Punchbowl, and Sheep Mountain. We chose to take their Crystal Tour.
Highlights from Our Drive to Crystal
We piled into the Jeep with our driver, Chuck. The boys sat in a rumble seat in the back that allowed them to see from a slightly higher vantage point.
We learned that Chuck spends his summers in Colorado working with the tour company. He was full of stories and knowledge about the area, pointing out landmarks and sights along the way, telling stories of past residents of the area. One such resident was Captain Helen Jack. Her story was so interesting, we purchased a book written by her when we arrived back home from this particular trip.
We passed by Beaver Lake as we made our way to the road that leads to Crystal. The road quickly changes from paved to unpaved.
The Crystal River Jeep Trail is narrow and rocky as it winds along, much of the time beside the Crystal River. We noticed wreckage along the way.
We’d read stories, especially about the Devil’s Punchbowl area.
There are small turnouts along the way. This ensures that if two vehicles meet, one can maneuver mostly out of the way and let the other one pass; though most of the time, one will have to back up to find said turnouts.
As we drove along, Chuck pointed out sights like waterfalls and signs that this was once a thriving mining community. We had originally read that there were spots for camping along the road and had planned to camp there. But we found that the land had private property signs all around. The mill itself is on private property, as well.
I could share pictures of the road and the mountains all ’round all day long, but they would not do the beauty of this backcountry justice. The mountains themselves are a sight to behold. As you drive, you’ll see natural spring waterfalls flowing down from the mountains. Chuck told us that normally it’s not as green as it was while we were there. It was green, and there were gorgeous colorful wildflowers everywhere.
Beautiful Crystal Mill
A historical landmark and one of the most picturesque photogenic places on the tour was Crystal Mill. Crystal Mill once operated as a powerhouse or power plant for mining operations.We actually have a photo of the mill hanging in our home; that’s how beautiful we found it to be.
Its rugged appearance gives it a haunted look… The stories I bet it could tell, if old walls could talk.
The river swirls and flows below the mill, while mountains tower behind.
I could have stood there forever just drinking it all in. I long to go back.
Exploring Crystal City
At one time, the town of Crystal (just around the bend from Crystal Mill) had 400 residents, most of whom were miners and their families. Now it’s pretty much a ghost town, though there are people who come there to spend their summers.
Roger Neal, an author who has written extensively about the area, spends his summers there, sharing Crystal Tale Books with visitors who come to Crystal. We bought more than a few of his books while visiting. He’s written books with the history of Crystal and creepy tales of some of its residents. He shared with us that his family spent summers there when he was a child.
There are cabins and small houses still standing and in use in Crystal, some of which are available for short-term rental. You’ll also find a general store (Crystal Store) and an outhouse. The top “snow door” in one house gave us some perspective as to how deep the snow gets in the winter time.
A small stream flowed beside the road, a great way to keep drinks cold since there is no electricity in this mountain town.
A flag in the center of town whipped back and forth in the wind.
If I had the opportunity to spend a week (or more) in this quiet mountain town, I totally would.
The road continues on through the town of Crystal and winds its way to Crested Butte via Schofield Pass. I’m feeling adventurous enough that some day I would love to go back and do the entire loop, even the Devil’s Punchbowl, which is considered one of the most dangerous 4WD trails in Colorado.
What to Know Before You Go
Before you book a tour with Crystal River Jeep Tours, be sure to pick the right tour for you. Some tours involve hiking, and some require you to bring a sack lunch. Bathrooms are few and far between (though there is one at your starting point in Marble), and the roads are quite rocky, meaning lots of bumps and jolts. Take your own drinking water and pack anything you think you may need for the long trek. Jeeps are open, and mountain weather can change on a dime, so dress and pack accordingly. Reservations are recommended, but they do take walk-ins. You’ll want to be sure to arrive 15 minutes early, so you can pay and fill out paperwork, including signed waivers.
Tours operate from Memorial Day to November 30. Be sure to take your camera and/or your binoculars!
Planning a trip soon? Pin it for later!
Oh the places you’ll go and the sights you’ll see along the way… Happy Trails!
This is so pretty and a really fun way to spend the day with the family exploring this Crystal Mill in Colorado!
What a beautiful place. I am all about the mountains and streams. I want to retire to the mountains of Montana.
Oh Audrey, you and me both. I LOVE the mountains.
I always wanted to go to Colorado Crystal Mill looks so beautiful ty for sharing
Very pretty but that little house is scary looking lol. I’d be scared to death to go within feet of it from fear of something falling.
It does look pretty rickety. It’s on private property now, so noone can go inside. But it sure is pretty, I agree.
This certainly looks like it was a fun tour.
These photos are stunning! I live in Northern Ontario and we have a few deserted mining towns up here that are reminiscent of Crystal Mill. We do a lot of exploring in the summer and they are some of favorite hikes to do. And we’re very familiar with the concept of upper floor snow doors here, too!!
Thank you, Jenny! I bet you are familiar with upper floor snow doors, and I bet it’s just beautiful there! We would love to travel up that way sometime.
I love old mills and the setting is so beautiful! Great trip.
Love to travel, camp and be in the outdoors.
Awesome photos!!
Thank you, Jonathan. Us too!
Wow the pictures are amazing but after seeing the wreckage I would have been ready to get out and walk lol. You are a brave soul and with that comes these beautiful memories. I love places like this but a bit of a chicken too. My son is moving to Colorado with the Army I will have to send this to him!
Stephanie, I know exactly how you feel. I’m deathly afraid of heights. When we drove to the top of Mount Evans for the first time, that was enough to break me. lol But it was so worth it!
I LOVE the photo of the old mill and the beautiful surroundings. And I bet the picture didn’t do it justice…breathtaking!
Thank you, Barrie! You are right… Pictures don’t do it justice. Absolutely breathtaking in person.
That is some gorgous scenery! My husband and I took a trip to CO last fall (Rocky Mtn National Park) and seeing this scenery brought back some great memories of that beautiful state!
Thank you, Lisa! We love Rocky Mountain National Park. I’m anxious to go back, it’s just so beautiful there.
I have been to Fort Collins, but this area looks so beautiful!
Oh my goodness its beautiful out there! I love the crystal mill, that could make a gorgeous painting!
Thank you! And it would be such a peaceful place to set up and paint… It’s just gorgeous!
Colorado is on my bucket list and I would love to celebrate my anniversary there!
It would be a beautiful place to celebrate your anniversary, Tracie!
I love all of the gorgeous trees! That place is amazing!
I’ve only been to Colorado to change planes at the airport. It looks like a beautiful place to vacation.
It is such a beautiful place. The mountains are just so peaceful.
Wow! I do miss living in Colorado. Maybe it is time to visit.
I’m thinking we’re due for another visit too.
I’m ashamed that I’ve lived in Colorado all my life and never been up there. Beautiful pictures.
You should definitely go, Sarah! It will take your breath away. Thank you so much!
What a beautiful place to visit, I love all the openness about it. Its like going back in time and seeing all the
beauty Jesus has given us.
@tisonlyme143
That’s one thing I love about Colorado… the openness of the backcountry. So beautiful!
Very gorgeous! This is pretty rustic living!
I’ve never been to Colorado. It looks so beautiful.
Cheryl, you’ve never been? It’s definitely a great place to add to your bucket list. So, so beautiful.
I love Colorado – just moved here in July and already doing 14ers and drinking every possible craft beer :)
What a gorgeous area! What month of the year were you there?There are several old towns like this in Montana where I live. They are each different and fun to explore!
Cindy, thank you! We were there in August, I think? It was so beautiful and green that year. I would love to explore Montana. Some day!
I have never been there, so I will have to put it on my bucket list. Your pictures are beautiful.
Thank you, Kimberly! Definitely a place to add to your bucket list.:)
Those pictures are amazing. It looks absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait for my family’s upcoming vacay.
Thank you, Alison! I hope you have a wonderful vacation.
Amazing pictures! I love looking at or exploring old houses. Some day I’d like to own one and restore it. I’ve never been to Colorado. It looks beautiful.
Thank you, Emily! Colorado is just so beautiful.
Oh wow so beautiful! I would love to go on walks and take lots of pics there!
These photos are absolutely stunning! I love all of the mountains too! Gorgeous!
What a beautiful place. I remember when I was 14 my Mom took me to Ger many and I was disappointed because I wanted to go to Colorado. I still want to go
It looks beautiful there. I would love to go! Thanks for sharing this.
What a beautiful place!Would love to take my family!
Absolutely amazing! We traveled through Colorado and loved it. I can see we missed so much by not taking the road less traveled! Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful place! I have never heard of Marble, CO but it sure is pretty!
This looks like a beautiful place to visit. The jeep tours would be fun!
Oh wow beautiful photos thanks for sharing has been years since I have been to CO
What beautiful pictures. We love to adventure out on explorations. This would be a beautiful place to explore. Looks like it was fun.
Awesome!!
THAT FIRST PHOTO!!! How incredible. (Pinning this post… :) )
I’ve traveled to Colorado three times, each to go to snowboarding. I saw a lot of beautiful scenery (mostly snowy mountains!), but definitely nothing like this. I’m so glad that I found this post– thank you for sharing!
–Ann
Thanks for the post, sounds like a great journey and great pictures.
I love the beauty these photos show! This would be a magnificent vacation. Thanks for sharing this great post.