Crystal River (Colorado)

Crystal River
A stream with a rocky shore on the right flows through a hilly, wooded landscape with a high rocky mountain in the distance.
Crystal River at Redstone, with Chair Mountain in distance, September 2009
Map of Roaring Fork drainage basin, including the Crystal River
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationConfluence of North Fork Crystal River and South Fork Crystal River
 • coordinates39°03′32″N 107°06′15″W / 39.05889°N 107.10417°W / 39.05889; -107.10417
 • elevation[1]
Mouth 
 • location
Confluence with Roaring Fork River
 • coordinates
39°25′07″N 107°14′10″W / 39.41861°N 107.23611°W / 39.41861; -107.23611
 • elevation
6,060 ft (1,850 m)
Basin features
ProgressionRoaring ForkColorado

The Crystal River is a tributary of the Roaring Fork River. It is approximately 40 miles (64 km) long and is located in Gunnison, Pitkin and Garfield counties in Colorado, United States.[1]

The river is a popular fly fishing and outdoor tourism destination.[2]

The Crystal River remains one of the few rivers in Colorado that is undammed along its length, making the segments that are upstream of large ranching irrigation diversions outside of Carbondale eligible for federal Wild and Scenic River protection.

The Crystal Valley historically was a seasonal home and hunting ground of the Parianuche and Yampa bands of the Ute people.