It was exactly this weekend last year that I finally crossed a major item off my Colorado bucket list: seeing the Crystal Mill. Perched precariously over the roaring Crystal River, it is easily one of the most photographed abandoned buildings in the entire state.
When I first moved to Colorado, I actually attempted to make this drive in my Subaru. I wasn’t entirely sure where I was going, but I eventually hit a really steep, unpaved uphill road. I started up it, but about three-quarters of the way up, I realized that if the approx 5 miles / 45-to-60-minute ride each way was going to be like this, my car was never going to make it. I ended up doing a nerve-wracking 6-point turn right there on the narrow road to back out. As it turns out, you absolutely need a true high-clearance 4WD vehicle for this trek—standard SUVs will not make it past the trailhead.
Knowing how quickly things fill up in the mountains, I kicked off my planning way back in March to ensure we’d secure a Jeep tour on the exact day we wanted. Because lodging options are few and far between around the tiny town of Marble, I booked a lovely two-bedroom Airbnb near McClure Pass. Having the extra space meant we could invite some friends along to share the adventure!
The Journey: Leaving the Driving to the Pros
We booked a half-day excursion with Crystal River Jeep Tours (run by the Smith family) to see the historic mill and the neighboring historic community of Crystal City. Because there were four of us, we lucked out and had our own private Jeep, which made the ride incredibly comfortable and fun.
If you are thinking about making this trek, here is a quick reality check on the drive itself:
- The Terrain: The road is a relentless barrage of deep potholes, sharp rocks, and tight brush. I was incredibly relieved we weren’t subjecting our own vehicle to that kind of undercarriage punishment or risking an expensive tow!
- The Pace: The Jeep negotiates the rough terrain slowly. Because our vehicle was completely open with no windows, we felt fully immersed in the elements—breathing in the crisp air and enjoying the lush forests, rushing river, and mountain silence.
- The Hike alternative: We saw plenty of people attempting to brave this rugged, dusty road on foot. All I can say is: no thank you!
An Honest Note on “Remoteness”: What you never see in the gorgeous, isolated photos online is the sheer volume of traffic. To keep things safe, the tour Jeeps and private 4x4s try to maintain a respectful distance from one another, but the continuous line of vehicles definitely pulled back the curtain on the “untouched wilderness” vibe.
Stop 1: The Iconic Crystal Mill
When we finally rolled up to the mill, our tour allotted us about 15 minutes to stretch our legs, look around, and take photos.
A local preservation society manages the site, and you can pay a small fee to take a path down the steep hill to the riverbed for that classic, low-angle shot from across the water. Because our time was locked at 15 minutes, we elected to stay up top and snap our photos from the main vantage point. Had we driven ourselves, we wouldn’t have been on a timer, but honestly? Fifteen minutes was plenty of time to take it all in—especially with the crowds making a completely clear shot a bit of a challenge anyway!
Other than capturing a few postcard-worthy images, there isn’t actually anything else to do right at the mill site.
Stop 2: Crystal City
From the mill, it was just a quick 5-minute drive further up the road to Crystal City. While often referred to as a “ghost town,” it’s actually still quite active. Rather than being filled with completely abandoned, crumbling ruins, the historic cabins are occupied by summer campers, wilderness explorers, and caretakers.
Our guide gave us about 20 minutes of free time here. We used the opportunity to:
- Pop into the local general store for a few minutes to check out their historical maps and local art.
- Use the public pit bathroom.
- Unpack the water and snacks we brought along and enjoy a quick picnic at one of the tables.
Late Lunch in Marble: Slow Groovin BBQ
After heading back down the mountain—and making sure we all swapped seats in the Jeep so everyone got a turn experiencing a different view—we arrived back in the tiny town of Marble absolutely famished.
Marble has very few restaurant choices, but fortunately, it is home to Slow Groovin BBQ. We snagged a spot on their outdoor patio, ordered a round of cold beers, and devoured a phenomenal late lunch. Sitting out in the sun after a bumpy, dusty trail ride was the absolute perfect way to cap off the afternoon.
Tips for Planning Your Trip
If you are looking to add the Crystal Mill to your own bucket list, here are a few logistical things to keep in mind:
Wildflowers vs. Fall Colors
I originally booked our trip for July hoping to catch a vibrant blanket of Colorado wildflowers. While the mountain greenery was beautiful, the wildflowers weren’t quite popping where we went, making me note to try a different alpine basin for flowers next year. If you want a truly spectacular alternative, autumn is an incredible time to visit. Seeing the blazing yellow aspen trees mixed against the dark green pines and the rushing river is magic.
Logistics & Links
- The Tour: Taking the Jeep tour is highly recommended if you want to sit back and enjoy the scenery without stressing over punctured tires or broken axles. You can check availability directly on the Crystal River Jeep Tours Website.
- The Food: Don’t skip post-hike refueling! Check out the menu at the Slow Groovin BBQ Website.
Summary: I am so glad that I ended up doing the Jeep tour to Crystal Mill as a way to see this historic site. I didn’t have to worry about driving, but to look around and enjoy the drive. I didn’t have to worry about any damage to my car from the potholes, rocks, and brush. And I didn’t have windows so I was in the outside during the drive. Also, I saw plenty of people doing this road as a hike – no thankyou!
Smith Family Jeep Tours Website
In June 2019 the rates were as follow for the 3 hour tour we took:
$135.00 per person (1 passenger) $110.00 per person (2 passengers) $85.00 per person (3 or more passengers)