Crystal River Valley - Northwest Colorado

Experience Crystal River Valley - Northwest Colorado

Thirty miles from Aspen and twelve miles from Glenwood Springs, The Crystal River Valley is surrounded by the White River National Forest and offers unique charm and secluded vacation destinations with the untouched beauty of Colorado's twin-summit Mount Sopris. The West Elk Loop Scenic Byway starts in Carbondale, the gateway to Highway 133 just off Highway 82, and takes you over Mount McClure summiting at 8,763 feet; along the way look for the following trail heads: Avalanche Creek Trail, Thomas Lake Trail and Drift Creek Trail. Whether you hike, mountain bike or horseback ride there is a trail waiting for you.

National Geographic Adventure Magazine offered this insight about Carbondale and the Crystal River Valley: "There is plenty to do including biking, kayaking, and world-class fly-fishing and winter offers excellent cross-country skiing at Spring Gulch."

There are several great Snowmobile Trails in the area with access off of Country Roads 344, 117 and C106 with endless backcountry to explore in ever direction you wish for a longer winter vacation. For a retreat even further off the beaten path, try the Redstone-Marble area with its mining past, ghost towns and dramatic mountain scenery. Redstone was founded by John Cleveland Osgood at the turn of the century as a model community to house employees of his coal mines. Although the workers and their families lived in simple cabins, Osgood built the luxurious Cleveholm Castle for himself, furnished with Tiffany chandeliers and Italian paintings. Marble was best known for its quarries, which produced a pure marble that rivaled Italy's Carrerra marble. If you have visited our Nation's Capital Washington DC, you might have visited the Lincoln Memorial Monument and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; both of these markers of American Pride and History have white marble from Colorado, it was mined here then slowly transported by river and train to Washington DC. The mine was closed during WWII as a non-essential industry, and the train tracks and large equipment was carted away and melted down to support the U.S. war effort. Today you can hike the historic Marble Quarry Trail.

Commercial air travel accommodations are handled by Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. Please contact your preferred travel agent or airline for flight arrangements. Carbondale is 25 miles northwest on CO Highway 82 and Marble is an additional 28 miles south on CO Highway 133 from the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.

Carbondale, Redstone and Marble, Colorado Driving Directions and Location

The Crystal River Valley is in Northwestern about 130-155 miles East of the Colorado-Utah Border off I-70 in Glenwood Springs take exit 227 onto CO Highway 82 to Carbondale; and, from Denver head west 170-195 miles on I-70 in Glenwood Springs take exit 227 onto CO Highway 82 to Carbondale.

Crystal River Valley is near: Aspen & Snowmass Village, Glenwood Springs & Grand Mesa Area

Featured Crystal River Valley Businesses

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For more travel information contact:

Crystal River Valley Activities & Maps

Scenic Byways:
West Elk Loop Scenic Byway

Rafting & Kayaking:
Roaring Fork River Rafting & Kayaking

Ski Areas & Resorts:
Aspen Highlands Ski Resort
Aspen Mountain Ski Resort
Buttermilk Ski Resort
Snowmass Ski Resort
Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort

Snowmobiling:
Carbondale Snowmobile Trails

Local Area Maps:
Aspen & Crystal River Valley Area Map

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