Ruins Pictures
You’ll find many captivating pieces of the past in our ruins photo gallery. From Anasazi cliff dwellings in the American Southwest to the temples of ancient Greece, from sod churches in Iceland to tumbledown structures from the Old West, these pictures of ruins capture a wide range of feelings and experiences. Whether you’re looking for a photo that’s mysterious, melancholy, or just beautiful, an image from our ruins gallery is guaranteed to fit the bill.

Crystal Mill In Marble ColoradoThe remains of Crystal Mill are a great reminder of Colorado's mining history. The mill rises majestically over the Crystal River and provides a great photo opportunity during the wonderful Aspen fall colors. It is located on a very rough four-wheel-drive road and can be accessed through either Marble or Crested Butte. Plan on hiking at least a little as the drive is very dangerous and the sections after Lizard Lake get very narrow and windy as you progress towards the old ruins.
Stock Image #20090919-155449
Stock Image #20090919-155449

House On Fire At NightThe House on Fire ruins of Bears Ears National Monument seen at night. The Anasazi archaeological site is lit from the inside, allowing the glow to trickle onto the rocky overhang. Night photography of these ancient ruins is now in the Bears Ears National Monument.
Stock Image #20170218-230712
Stock Image #20170218-230712

Old West Colorado Photography The Crystal MillA visually appealing picture of The Crystal Mill from our Colorado photography sessions. Harking back to days long gone and reminiscent of how it used to be, this old structure lingers. Set in the Colorado high country among the mountains and aspen filled forests, this log constructed building is mesmerizing. Perilously perched on a rock cliff, it once harnessed the power of the Crystal River flowing next door. Autumn in Colorado is stunning, and we make our way to this off grid location during our Fall Colors photo tour. Nearby is the ghost town of Crystal, and this mill is just one of the many remnants from the Old West.
Stock Image #20170928-155843
Stock Image #20170928-155843

Anasazi Fallen Roof Cliff DwellingThe Fallen Roof ruin gets its name from the colorful rock exposed when its alcove roof collapsed. This ancient ruin in Utah was once home to the Anasazi. A beautifully preserved archaeological site, the flame house is a must see for those interested in our ancient histories. Its hidden well within the backcountry of southwestern Utah but offers a magical site to those who seek it out.
Stock Image #20100528-123627
Stock Image #20100528-123627

House On Fire Cliff DwellingAt nearly 6,000 feet elevation, the ancient ruins known as House on Fire grace the desert landscape. These Anasazi structures are at least 700 - 1200 years old. From this morning picture, you can see why it gets its name with the flame-like appearance of the rock shape and color. Photo from Bears Ears National Monument.
Stock Image #20170225-135430
Stock Image #20170225-135430

House On Fire LandscapeIn the South Fork of Mule Canyon you can find the House on Fire ruins of the Ancestral Puebloans. These cliff structures are one of the hundreds (thousands?) of prehistoric archaeological sites found at Bears Ears National Monument. Seen here, the balance of wide open blue skies and red stony dwellings.
Stock Image #20170225-133412
Stock Image #20170225-133412

Old Mormon Row Barn Of The Grand Teton National ParkNorthwestern Wyoming is the home of the beautiful Grand Teton National Park which was established in 1950. The barns of Mormon Row are some of the most photographed in the world. Settled in the late 1880's, these barns are an iconic link to the settling of the west by early American settlers around Jackson Hole.
Stock Image #20090728-070040
Stock Image #20090728-070040

Rainbow At Crystal Mill In ColoradoFed by a melting glacier, the Crystal River passes beneath the ruins of the Crystal Mill on its way to the Roaring Fork. In this photo taken in late June, the waterfalls are at their peak, and rainbows in the spray are bright enough to photograph.
The Crystal Mill makes for a great photo, but it’s not easy to reach. You’ll need a vehicle with four-wheel drive and some hiking to see it. A guided trip, like the ones led by Shetzers photography, is a great way to get close to remote sites like this.
Stock Image #20190628-151420
The Crystal Mill makes for a great photo, but it’s not easy to reach. You’ll need a vehicle with four-wheel drive and some hiking to see it. A guided trip, like the ones led by Shetzers photography, is a great way to get close to remote sites like this.
Stock Image #20190628-151420

Temple Of Apollo At SunsetThe Temple of Apollo overlooks the harbor in Naxos, Greece. In the evening, many people gather to watch the renown sunset, and I was able to catch its vibrant glow on film. The massive gate is all that remains of this impressive temple that was never completed.
Stock Image #20070629-202902
Stock Image #20070629-202902

Crystal Mill Marble Colorado With Fall ColorsThe Crystal Mill, although called a mill is truthfully a compressor stations which used a water turbine to drive an air compressor. Many visitors come to the mill in the fall to witness the old mill standing tall among all the vibrant colors.
Stock Image #20180924-155225
Stock Image #20180924-155225

Historic Crystal Mill In ColoradoThis historic site outside of the ghost town of Crystal, CO, used to be called the Sheep Mountain Power House. It used the power of the Crystal River to generate compressed air, which workers in the nearby silver mines used to power their tools.
Of course, it’s also lovely in color, but we think black and white perfectly conveys the stark beauty of this iconic fragment of the Old West.
Stock Image #20180904-134119
Of course, it’s also lovely in color, but we think black and white perfectly conveys the stark beauty of this iconic fragment of the Old West.
Stock Image #20180904-134119

Old Building Photography The Crystal MillThe Crystal Mill, as shown from a drone's perspective, in this sensational old building photography session. As the mountain background drops, we see the the mill clutching the rocks for a foothold. The aspen trees are in autumn colors as the Crystal River falls into a gentle pool. Colorado photography at its finest as we capture the remains of the Wild West.
Stock Image #20170928-170420
Stock Image #20170928-170420

Giza Egypt Pyramid By SunsetThe ancient wonders of the pyramids at Giza are awe inspiring in themselves, let alone on a beautiful night at sunset. The largest of the pyramids, the Pyramid of Khufu, stands at over 480 feet and for 3,800 years was the tallest man-made structure.
Stock Image #20070815-211302
Stock Image #20070815-211302

House On Fire Ruins In Southern UtahThis unique view of the House on Fire shows how the texture of the rock really emulates the look of flames. The red glow of the light from within gives an eerie feel to the structure, and really bring together to formation and its name. The House on Fire is part of the Anazasi Ruins in Southern Utah.
In southern Utah, an Anasazi pueblo is lit up by a fire at night, filling its windows with a warm glow.
It’s a common myth that the ancient Anasazi people who built these pueblos disappeared without explanation. In reality, the culture simply dispersed across the region, becoming the ancestors of today’s Hopi, Zuni, and Pueblo nations.
Stock Image #20170220-2136340170220-213634
In southern Utah, an Anasazi pueblo is lit up by a fire at night, filling its windows with a warm glow.
It’s a common myth that the ancient Anasazi people who built these pueblos disappeared without explanation. In reality, the culture simply dispersed across the region, becoming the ancestors of today’s Hopi, Zuni, and Pueblo nations.
Stock Image #20170220-2136340170220-213634

Drone Image Of The Crystal MillThe Crystal Mill drone image of the precariously placed structure, adjacent Crystal River, waterfall, natural pool, and surrounding mountain forest. For old west photography, this ancient hydraulic powerhouse is a Colorado treasure. Captured near Marble, CO.
Stock Image #20180325-074730
Stock Image #20180325-074730

Dramatic Picture Of The Crystal MillThe Crystal Mill is set dangerously upon this rocky outcropping. Next to this old structure from days past, the Crystal River flows and falls into a blue green pool. With autumn leaves on the surrounding aspens, the rustic charm of this log building is featured beautifully. Seen on our Colorado Fall Colors Photo Tour.
Stock Image #20170928-165604
Stock Image #20170928-165604

False Kiva Of Canyonlands National ParkHidden by a very steep and winding trail, this archeological site is well worth the effort it takes to find it. Located off the map in Canyonlands National Park in Utah, it is well protected and only available to those who seek it out. A prime example of ancient Puebloen ruins, this magical place located the middle of a sheer cliff face shows the heartiness of its ancient settlers. Although it appears to be a Kiva, researchers actually have found traces of the ancient peoples using it as a residence.
Stock Image #20100520-171145
Stock Image #20100520-171145

Old West Photography Of The Crystal MillOld West photography of Colorado like it used to be. The Crystal Mill is a highly prized site to photographers and adventurers alike. Seen here with a mountainous backdrop and framed by aspens in autumn colors, the rushing waterfall once powered this mill. Image taken during our Colorado Fall Colors Photo Workshop.
Stock Image #20170928-165357
Stock Image #20170928-165357

The Mill At Crystal RiverThe remains of Crystal Mill are a great reminder of Colorado's mining history. The mill rises majestically over the Crystal River and provides a great photo opportunity during the wonderful Aspen fall colors. It is located on a very rough four-wheel-drive road and can be accessed through either Marble or Crested Butte. Plan on hiking at least a little as the drive is very dangerous and the sections after Lizard Lake get very narrow and windy as you progress towards the old ruins.
Stock Image #20050923-0090
Stock Image #20050923-0090

Fallen Roof Ruin In UtahTucked under the rock, the Fallen Roof ruins is an ancient architectural feature that was crafted with the natural stone landscape. The iron oxide levels in the sandstone give it that iconic reddish rock appearance. Nature image taken at Bears Ears National Monument.
Stock Image #20170220-123651
Stock Image #20170220-123651

Mayflower Gulch Cabin With MountainsOne of our favorite hikes in the central mountains of Colorado is the Mayflower Gulch Trail just north of Leadville, Colorado. Its a gentle climb that starts just off Highway 91 and winds about 2 miles back into the abandoned Old Boston Mine. At an altitude of almost 11,000 feet, the air is thin, but the views are spectacular. Here we are inside one of the old cabins and looking towards beautiful Fletcher mountain in the Tenmile Range of the White River National Forest.
Stock Image #20090809-132544
Stock Image #20090809-132544

Roof On Fire Cliff DwellingCloseup of the House on Fire cliff dwelling in Bears Ears National Monument. The fire effect is caused by the play of light on the rock strata and contours. The ruins were built into a rocky overhang about 1,000 years old. Landscape picture taken near Cedar Mesa in Southern Utah.
Stock Image #20170225-140324
Stock Image #20170225-140324
Ruins was last modified: May 27th, 2022 by