Crystal Mountain — Rockhounding in Larimer County, Colorado
The Crystal Mountain pegmatite district, mapped in USGS Bulletin 1011, contains beryl in roughly a quarter of its pegmatites, including aquamarine, alongside muscovite, fluorapatite, and bismutite. The district sits on Roosevelt National Forest along upper Buckhorn Creek west of Fort Collins. Garnet and schorl tourmaline occur in the zoned pegmatites. Reported finds include beryl, aquamarine, fluorapatite, muscovite, bismutite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Crystal Mountain photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Crystal Mountain in Larimer County, Colorado
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Larimer County
- State
- Colorado
- Nearest road
- North Crystal Mountain Road
- Coordinates
- 40.54178, -105.41137
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.
Found at Crystal Mountain
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Crystal Mountain.
- Wisdom RanchLarimer County, Colorado · 5 mi awayBeryl, Chrysoberyl, Garnet
- Howes Gulch MinesLarimer County, Colorado · 10 mi awayChalcopyrite, Gold, Pyrite
- Specimen MountainLarimer County, Colorado · 22 mi awayAllophane, Calcite, Agate
- Diamond PeakLarimer County, Colorado · 31 mi awayDiamond
- Table Mountains (North and South)Jefferson County, Colorado · 54 mi awayApophyllite, Aragonite, Calcite
- Centennial ConeJefferson County, Colorado · 54 mi awayAquamarine, Bertrandite, Beryl
- Unnamed Area (Jefferson Co.)Jefferson County, Colorado · 64 mi awayFluorite, Gold, Silver
- Devils Head (Rampart Range)Top pick in ColoradoDouglas County, Colorado · 89 mi awaySmoky Quartz, Topaz, Amazonite
Across the state line from Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain is close enough to the Colorado border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- Sportman LakeAlbany County, Wyoming · 42 mi awayGypsum
- Copper King MineLaramie County, Wyoming · 43 mi awayBarite, Copper
- Red ButtesAlbany County, Wyoming · 45 mi awayGypsum
- Jelm MountainAlbany County, Wyoming · 48 mi awayBismutite, Bismuth
- LaramieAlbany County, Wyoming · 57 mi awayGypsum
- Rambler MineAlbany County, Wyoming · 65 mi awayBarite, Lorandite, Orpiment
Crystal Mountain FAQ
Why is Crystal Mountain one of the best rockhounding spots in Colorado?+
Where is Crystal Mountain?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Crystal Mountain?+
Is collecting allowed at Crystal Mountain?+
How do I get to Crystal Mountain?+
More rockhounding in Colorado
See all 33 Colorado spots →Open Crystal Mountain on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
