Exploring (And Enjoying) Our Sources
Here at Crystal Geyser, a love of nature is a part of everything we do. Our bottled water is sourced directly from protected natural spring sources. Why do we do it? We bottle our spring water right at the source to preserve its natural purity, and we work hard to make sure the areas surrounding each and every one of our seven sources stays as pristine as the water you find in each bottle of Crystal Geyser.
Since Crystal Geyser® Alpine Spring Water® is only ever bottled less than 1.5 miles from the natural spring, our story always begins at the spring source — and if you’re looking for some incredible places to explore the wonders of nature, we suggest you start at the source as well!
Exploring the beautiful protected lands surrounding our sources is a great way to experience the outdoors, so lace up your hiking boots, grab a bottle of icy-cold spring water, and hit the trail at some of these picturesque locations near us!
Olancha, California (established 1990)
Nestled at the foot of the Eastern Sierra, the home of our first ever plant sits in the shadow of some of the most striking mountain terrain in North America. Located about 36 miles from Olancha along the trail toward Mount Whitney, Lone Pine Lake makes for a challenging, but unforgettable Alpine excursion.
The hike to Lone Pine Lake starts from the same trailhead used for the Mount Whitney Trail and doesn't require having a permit — an approximately 6-mile roundtrip hike with plenty of switchbacks.
It takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete, but the journey is worth it! This sub-alpine basin rewards hikers with classic High Sierra scenery: crystal-clear glacial waters, dramatic granite walls, and scattered pine forests. Sitting at an elevation of over 10,000 feet, the lake reflects the towering mountain cliffs above. It offers a perfect mid-hike resting point to pull out your water bottle, take a deep breath of mountain air, and savor the sheer scale of the Sierra Nevadas.
Benton, Tennessee (established 1997)
Our second facility, in Benton, Tennessee, sits right near the lush Cherokee National Forest. If you want a quick, visually rewarding trip, the Benton Falls Trail is located just 11 miles (a 24-minute drive) from our Benton recycling plant and bottling facility. If waterfalls are more your speed, Falls Branch Falls is just an hour out from us.
Benton Falls Trail: This easy, wide-open 3.2-mile out-and-back trail takes you past scenic pull-offs and gazebos offering views of the surrounding valley and Parksville Lake. The path concludes at Benton Falls, a cascading 65-foot waterfall. In the summer months, you can easily turn this outing into a full day trip by cooling off at nearby Lake McCamy!
Falls Branch Falls: If you want to experience why parts of Eastern Tennessee are considered temperate rainforests, drive about an hour away from our plant along the Cherohala Skyway. A short 2.5-mile out-and-back hike brings you to a hidden jewel: a roaring 70-foot waterfall tucked away in some incredible greenery.
Mount Shasta, California (established 1998)
Mount Shasta, the home of one of our most iconic spring sources, is an ideal source of natural spring water. Filtered over decades through deep volcanic rock, snowmelt from the mountain emerges directly from underground lava tubes at places like Big Springs in Mount Shasta City Park.
Just down the road from the pristine springs that feed Crystal Geyser’s local bottling operations, the Gray Butte Trail delivers big alpine rewards (for both you and your four-legged friends!) with just a moderate effort.
Starting near the serene, high-elevation alpine wildflowers of Panther Meadows, this out-and-back path winds through old-growth Shasta fir and mountain hemlock forests before climbing to the summit of Gray Butte. At the peak, hikers (and their four-legged friends) are treated to panoramic 360-degree views stretching from Mt. Shasta to Lassen Peak and the Trinity Alps.
For sweeping views of the entire valley, head up the Spring Hill Trail Loop (2.9 miles round trip). Starting near the base of the mountain, the trail winds upward through manzanita and evergreen pine forests.
Moultonborough, New Hampshire (established 2003)
Over in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, our Moultonborough plant is our first location east of the Rocky Mountains, and it sits directly across Ossipee Park Road from over 5,000 acres of protected, conserved mountain forest at the Castle in the Clouds estate. Outdoor access begins literally right outside our facility's front door!
Brook Walk / Falls of Song: Directly adjacent to the Crystal Geyser plant is the famous Brook Walk, which follows a mountain stream through a series of seven waterfalls, highlighted by the 40-foot plunging Falls of Song.
Mount Roberts: Want a true mountain trek? Also adjacent to the plant, this 5.2-mile trail climbs through the Ossipee Mountains to deliver sweeping vistas across the entire Lakes Region.
Red Hill Fire Tower: Just 15–20 minutes away from Crystal Geyser, this popular hike leads to a historic tower with views over Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains. Chamberlain-Reynolds Memorial Forest: Located 25–30 minutes away on Squam Lake, this flat, family-friendly walk features shoreline paths, beaches, and swamp boardwalks.
Salem, South Carolina (established 2004)
Surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, our Salem facility sits right near the gateway to the southern Appalachian wilderness. Just a short drive from our source, the Foothills Trail at the Whitewater Falls Trailhead offers easy access to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the region.
Foothills Trail (Whitewater Falls Trailhead): Located less than 20 minutes from our plant, this section of the famed 77-mile Foothills Trail lis a favorite of Crystal Geyser employees and it’s easy to see why. The path leads you right along the North Carolina and South Carolina border, where a short, paved pathway brings you to an overlook of Upper Whitewater Falls, which plunges an astonishing 411 feet down a sheer rock face—the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains! For those outdoor adventurers looking to explore for a few more miles, you can continue along the wooded Foothills Trail through forests, mountain laurel, and rolling stream corridors for an immersive day in the backcountry.
Norman, Arkansas (established 2008)
Deep in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, our Norman location is surrounded by hardwood forests, crystal-clear streams, and rolling mountain ridges. Just north of our facility lies Lake Ouachita—Arkansas's largest lake—and the famed Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT).
Lake Ouachita Vista Trail: Located about 20 to 25 minutes from our plant, the LOViT stretches for over 40 miles along the southern shore of Lake Ouachita. For a fantastic day hike, we suggest following the Bear Mountain section of the trail. This 4-mile segment winds steadily through rocky pine ridges and hardwood canopy before reaching high elevation overlooks that offer breathtaking panoramic views of the water below. It is the perfect spot to pause, take in the serene natural beauty of the Ouachita National Forest (and of course, hydrate!) before the return trip.
Johnstown, New York (established 2013)
Our Johnstown, NY location combines small-city convenience with quick access to the foothills of the Adirondacks. From quick after-work walks to weekend summit hikes, there are endless ways to get outside:
Kane Mountain Fire Tower (Caroga Lake): Located just 20–25 minutes from Johnstown, this hero hike offers the classic Adirondack experience. A quick mountain climb brings you to a historic fire tower with sprawling 360-degree views of lakes and mountain forests.
Peck Hill State Forest / Willie Marsh: Right in Johnstown's backyard (10–15 minutes away), Peck Hill features miles of wooded paths, while Willie Marsh offers a wetland nature walk with wooden boardwalks and wildlife viewing spots.
FJ&G Rail Trail: Running right through Johnstown, this paved multi-use trail is ideal for walking, running, biking, or family strolls, proving that nature is accessible every single day.
Plotter Kill Preserve & Thacher State Park: Looking for a regional day trip? Drive 40–45 minutes to Plotter Kill to see rushing waterfalls in a rocky gorge, or head an hour south to Thacher State Park to hike the famous Indian Ladder Trail along dramatic limestone cliffs.
Hydrate Your Journey
From pine-surrounded paths in the shadow of Mt. Shasta to the granite cliffs of the High Sierras to the lush greenery and waterfalls of the Adirondacks and Appalachia, every source location we call home is surrounded by pristine, protected landscapes worth exploring. But wherever your adventures take you this autumn, remember to pack out what you pack in, leave no trace, and stay refreshed on your hike with a cold bottle of Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water.
Comments