Crystal, Colorado, Gunnison County is a ghost town that intrigues many with its picturesque setting and fascinating history. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, it once thrived during the mining boom and now captivates visitors with its enduring charm. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Gunnison County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 39.0625° N, 107.2186° W
Elevation: Approximately 8,950 feet (2,728 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: 1880
Disestablished: Not officially disestablished, but largely abandoned by the early 20th century
Comments: Crystal was established as a mining camp in 1880 during the Colorado Silver Boom. It quickly grew into a bustling community with a post office, hotels, and saloons. The Crystal Mill, built in 1892, is one of the most photographed sites in Colorado and reflects the town’s industrious past.
Crystal (also known as Crystal City) is a ghost town on the upper Crystal River in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. It is located in the Elk Mountains along a four-wheel-drive road 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Marble and 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Crested Butte.
Crystal was a mining camp established in 1880 and, after several decades of robust existence, was abandoned by 1917. Many buildings still stand in Crystal, but few residents live there only in the summer.
Remains: Several original structures still stand, including the iconic Crystal Mill, some cabins, and remnants of the town’s mining operations. These structures offer a glimpse into the town’s former life and attract photographers and history enthusiasts alike.
Prospectors discovered promising deposits of silver near the confluence of the North Fork and South Fork of the Crystal River in 1880. Within months, mining operations were underway, and a new mining camp had emerged.
A year later, Crystal City was incorporated on July 8, 1881. At its height of prosperity in the mid-1880s, Crystal had over 500 residents, a post office, a newspaper (the Crystal River Current which The Silver Lance later replaced), a pool hall, the Crystal Club (a popular and exclusive men’s club), a barbershop, saloons, and hotels.
Current Status: Today, Crystal is best known for one of the most photographed historic sites in Colorado, the Crystal Mill, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Gunnison County Road 3 connects Crystal to Marble.
Much of the road is a rocky shelf road, suitable for only four-wheel drive. Forest Road 317 (a.k.a. Gothic Road) connects Crystal to Crested Butte via Schofield Pass. It traverses the Devils Punchbowl, considered among the most dangerous four-wheel-drive trails in the state.
Crystal is considered a ghost town with no permanent residents. It is accessible by a challenging 4-wheel-drive road and continues to draw tourists, particularly during summer, when hiking and photography are popular activities.
Remarks: Crystal’s remote location and the preservation of its historic structures make it a unique destination for those seeking to explore Colorado’s mining history and enjoy the natural beauty of the Rockies.
While the town is mostly deserted, its legacy endures through its stunning scenery and the stories of those who once called it home. Crystal is vacated in the winter but there are a few summer residents. The town does see visitors, most passing through to recreate in the area.
The upper Crystal River Valley is nestled between two wilderness areas: the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness to the north and the Raggeds Wilderness to the south.
Photography, hiking, peak bagging, mountain biking, and four-wheel-drive and off-highway vehicle touring are common activities. Fly fishing and hunting (deer and elk) are also popular.
