Location: Redstone
The 9 Best Things to Do in Redstone, United States
Redstone is a census-designated place in Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 130. The U.S. Post Office at Carbondale (ZIP Code 81623) now serves Redstone postal addresses. The village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district and includes several properties that are also separately listed on the National Register.
1. Redstone Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Welcome to Redstone Castle, a turn of the century jewel completed in 1902 for industrialist and coal magnate John Cleveland Osgood. At the time, Osgood was one of the wealthiest people in the United States, purportedly ranking sixth. It is also known as Cleveholm Manor, its original name. The Castle anchors the mountain hamlet of Redstone, in the magnificent Crystal River Valley still dominated by beautiful, wide-open spaces and undisturbed nature. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, the Castle provides a unique glimpse into the personal styles and social culture of America’s elite at the turn of the 20th Century.
Reviewed By 523SM523 - Reno, Nevada
The history of the mansion is the history of the area since the man who had it built was the founder of the mine that was the reason for Redstone. He was also the visionary of the unique and picturesque Town of Redstone.
You can tour most rooms in the house. When it was given its historical designation, the building was deemed 75% original. Most of the furniture is not original, but of the same era. The docent tells the history of the man, the house, the town and the area.
Purchase tickets at the General Store in town. The walk up to the house is about a mile - unpaved road, slight incline. You can drive it in about 10 minutes. Tours are offered once per day at 1:30pm. They are about 90 minutes long.
The house is privately owned. It is due to be auctioned off in early October 2016. The future of the tours depends on the preference of the new owner.
2. Crystal River Jeep Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 59 reviews
Get to the iconic Crystal Mill in style and comfort. Three main tours to choose from. The 3-hour Crystal Tour, 5-hour Lead King Basin Loop or the 7-hour Smittys Special. See our web site for more information and other tour options, such as guided hikes and trailhead drop-off/pick-up. Photographer friendly.We are a small family-owned business that has been in operation since 1950, among the oldest adventure tour operations in Colorado. We do not do on-line reservations, you have to actually call us to make a reservation. Remember, we do it topless... so dress accordingly.
Reviewed By RoseDew - Red Lion, PA
The Jeep driver, Steve, might call it a road, but most times we were on what I would call a stream bed! A narrow, steep, and rocky "path". We did the Lead King Basin tour (5 hours) and it went by so fast. The wildflower...MoreThe road we take you on was originally built in the 1890's. And I imagine just as rough today as it was then. Thanks for the tip on contact lens. And thank you for the great review.
3. Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By iowacityia - iowa city, ia
My daughter and I were guests at Avalanche Ranch and used the Hot Springs around 6:30pm. Our Wagon was very close to the Hot Springs, and the building housing the showers and changing area. I understand the Hot Springs to be for the Avalanche Ranch guests only, after 5pm. It was not too busy when we arrived. We used the upper Hot Spring pool, the one right below the small building housing the hot tub. It felt great! We spent a good amount of time in this hot spring, along with 1 other couple. It was a lot of fun and very relaxing. If I get the chance to stay in this area again, I will stay at the Avalanche Ranch and use the Hot Springs once again.
4. West Elk Loop Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 50 reviews
Scenic drive that winds through the Crystal River Valley, over McClure Pass to Crawford, Crested Butte, Kebler Pass and back to Carbondale.
Reviewed By Sharon K - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
We did this whole Loop in one day and it was not a tough day/too long drive. We were renting in Sapinero CO and started/returned there. The whole route is breathtaking. Dramatic snow capped mountains, beautiful valleys stretching for miles, pristine lakes - I highly recommend taking the whole drive. Be sure to take two very short side trips to Lake Irvin and Lost Lake because they are both very beautiful.
5. Outwest Guides - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By EDogg - Black Hawk, Colorado
We cam to western Colorado with intentions of seeing the fall color change of leaves and beautiful scenery. We had every intention to, and wanted to, visit the Maroon Bells near Aspen. Unfortunately, due to the governmental stalemate, this venue is closed. :) We called a few outdoor outfitters in the Aspen, hoping to take a horseback tour and see the season colors. Our search came up empty due to closure/s, and hunting trips. Well, we found out about OutWest Outfitters. :) We were able to get a two hour guided trip into the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness areas. Phenomenal views! Great animals! Super guide!(James). We rode in to areas above 10,000 feet and saw some stunning views. Thanks for 'showing us a good time.'
6. The Marble Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Rachel_Foothillz - Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Quaint Gallery located where you pick up the Crystal River Jeep Tours. I am a featured artist....love collaborating with this beautiful mountainside gallery.
7. RPS Rentals
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By sidney7474 - Maryland
This is an excellent way to see Crystal Mill and the surrounding loop. I am really glad we did the whole loop, the section after Crystal Mill is stunning. I loved that it was independent and we could go at our own pace. The road is so narrow and bumpy, I could not imagine going in a jeep, this is defiantely the way to go !!
* they do not take amex.
8. Marble Mill Site Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Marsha S - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Marble Mills was a impromptu detour off Highway 133 on our trip between Glenwood Springs and Crested Butte. My traveling companion, a CO native, remembered going there as a child and seeing huge blocks of marble from the same quarry that supplied the Lincoln Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in our Capitol.
Marble is 17 minutes from the artistic town of Redstone (headed towards Crested Butte) and about 9 miles down County Road 3. Just before the mill site is the Marble Gallery featuring monumental sculptures of the local marble: a herd of wild horses, a family of angels, a lion and her cub, a bison and her baby, all outside. There is also an inside gallery.
Those huge sculptures made the Mill Site all the more interesting because seeing the art created from these raw blocks of marble is really special.
There were no docents or rangers to guide us but there were plenty of Informative flyers available at the entrance. These gave the mill history and a walking tour map. The walking tour is over uneven dirt paths with some slight elevation changes. Not suitable for people with wheelchairs. There's a nice picnic area.
Next door to the mill site is the commercial active loading area with huge marble blocks numbered and ready to load. A 15 foot high pile of massive marble chunks showed that not all blocks made it in one piece onto the tractor trailers hauling them away. (The loading area is not open to the public.)
Guided tours ARE available from The Marble Hub on Main Street. (704-9482).If I were coming this way again I'd go for a guided tour in an ATV. I noticed a couple of
energetic ATVs touring the town.
9. Avalanche Creek Trail
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By iowacityia - iowa city, ia
My daughter and I visited the late morning of May 30th. We found Avalanche Creek Rd with little trouble. We arrived from the South, but the description for directions to Avalanche Creek Rd is: 12.5 miles south of Carbondale, on Hwy 133. From the Hwy 133 intersection it is about a 2-3 mile drive to the parking lot at the end of the road, just past the campground. The drive is best with a higher clearance vehicle, and there is 1 stream crossing to make with your vehicle. At the parking lot there is a restroom. We only did the hike up to the Hell Roaring trail at the 2.5 mile mark. It was a wonderful hike. And for us it was not easy, but a good workout. I would like to return with more time to go further on this trail.
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