Do you often find yourself discovering new trails in the forest, or new alleyways in cities? Do you stop to read the history of old buildings? Do you feel thrilled when you find a new, lesser-know road trip route? If you said yes to any of these, you may have the explorer gene! What is the explorer gene, you ask? Simply put, the explorer gene is responsible for our desire to experience new places, ideas, and more. 

So, you have the explorer gene but that alone won’t be enough to visit some of the most beautiful abandoned places in Colorado. In addition to basic things like water, snacks, a couple of clothing layers, and a first aid kit, an LED flashlight is an important part of your explorer gear. 

We have rounded up some of the best LED flashlights that are an essential part of your gear as you set out to visit these most beautiful abandoned places in Colorado. 

Let’s talk about our destinations and the lights that help us not only get there, but also explore more.

Visit St. Elmo With the Fenix PD35 V3.0

Called “Colorado’s most original ghost town”, St. Elmo is also one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the west. Listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Elmo’s rise and fall through the years is evident in its buildings. 

What makes the Fenix PD35 V3.0 one of the best LED flashlights to take with you to St. Elmo?

While St. Elmo isn't completely abandoned, it is also not the bustling town it once was. This high-performing flashlight delivers a double punch with its 1700 lumens and 230 hours of runtime on Eco mode. Don’t worry about rushing through your visit because the PD35 V3.0 has the capacity to keep up with you. In addition, the flashlight’s boot-up battery level indicator keeps you informed on the battery’s status.

A beam distance of 1171 ft (357m) means you can shine a bright light into any space that you are curious about and get a lay of the land before you venture further. If you want to explore more, the nearby Iron City Cemetery provides a peek into the lives of people who lived in and around St. Elmo.

Its compact size makes the PD35V3.0 a perfect LED flashlight to carry with you whether you are exploring on foot or by car. Attach the light to your backpack or shirt pocket using the light’s body clip for quick and easy access. 

Dust, water, and accidental bumps are a part of the trail when you are exploring abandoned places. The PD35 V3.0 comes with an IP68 rating, which means this light is dustproof and waterproof—plus it is impact resistant and can survive drops of over 6 feet. 

If you decide to experience St. Elmo’s rich history, the PD35 V3.0, with its compact yet powerful build will be your perfect companion. 

Visit Crystal Mill With the Fenix TK20R V2.0

Only accessible during summer and fall, Crystal Mill is one of the most famous landmarks in Colorado. Not really a mill, this abandoned building was a powerhouse that powered tools and provided ventilation to nearby mills in the 1800s.

What Makes the Fenix TK20R V2.0 one of the best LED flashlights to take with you to Crystal Mill? 

Nestled in the hills, next to the Crystal River, the Crystal Mill can feel eerie. Its storied history and its stunning location make this one of the most beautiful abandoned places in Colorado. 

While there are multiple ways to get here, many people choose to hike in. A tactical flashlight, the TK20R V2.0 is both a lighting tool and a tactical weapon that can prove useful in an unexpected situation. 

If you are a seasoned hiker, you know that forests can transform quickly. A sunlight-dappled trail can quickly become overshadowed if clouds build up in the sky. Capable of blasting a maximum of 3000 lumens across a distance of 1558 ft (475 m), the TK20R V2.0 will light up any trail you are on. 

You can quickly shift between six lighting modes by using the dual tail switches. Each lighting mode provides the right kind of light and brightness for different types of tasks. 

While visiting an abandoned building, especially one set in the wild, it is important to be prepared for self-defense. In addition to other modes, the TK20R V2.0 also has a Strobe mode that can come in handy to chase away any wild animal you’d rather not encounter, or even to signal to your group should you become separated from each other. 

Rechargeable, waterproof, dustproof, and impact resistant, the TK20R V2.0 is one of the best LED flashlights you can carry with you on your trip to Crystal Mill. 

Visit Theresa Mine With the Fenix TK35UE V2.0

Located near Victor, Colorado, Theresa Mine’s original wooden structure was destroyed by a fire in 1934. It was replaced by a steel structure that still stands. Before being completely abandoned in 1961, Theresa Mine is said to have produced approximately $2.5 million worth of gold. 

What Makes the Fenix TK35UE V2.0 one of the best LED flashlights to take with you to Theresa Mine?

One of the best things about visiting Theresa Mines is that you can also visit other abandoned places in the vicinity on your trip. Walk along the Vindicator Valley Trail system to get a close look at not only Theresa Mine, but also Anna J. Mine, and other smaller landmarks that may be in ruins, but still draw curious explorers to learn their history.

Delivering a runtime of 85 hours when used on Eco mode, the Fenix TK35UE V2.0 is capable of keeping up with you when a quick visit to a place can turn into hours of adventure and discovery.

As you move around from place to place, it is easy to accidentally turn on your flashlight. The TK35UE V3.0 comes with a lock-out function that prevents this from happening so you can be sure you aren’t wasting any precious battery life on this LED flashlight. In addition, a battery level indicator keeps you updated on the status of your battery. 

Use this tactical flashlight’s innovative toggle switch to quickly shift between different modes to match the demand of the environment you are in.

Capable of throwing an incredible 5000 lumens, the TK35UE V3.0 is a powerful flashlight that will light up all the corners you want to explore. IP68-rated, this LED flashlight is waterproof and dustproof making it an excellent companion to explore some of Colorado’s most beautiful abandoned places. 

Outdoor recreation, everyday errands, or special missions — no matter what activity you have planned for your day, do it more efficiently with a Fenix LED flashlight.