The Trek in a snapshot
Location
Down town Soda Springs, Idaho
Managing Agency
City of Soda Springs
Pets
Allowed
Fees
None
Restrooms
Yes. Located in the Visitor Center
Camping
Not allowed
Trail Condition
Wooden boardwalk trail. You can also walk around on the travertine
Sights
Geyser Park, geyser, orange travertine
Water Info
Bring a bottle of water if needed
Best Season
All
Distance
A few hundred feet
Time Required
Less than 15 minutes
Parking Elevation
5792 ft
Summit Elevation
Varies
Elevation Difference
Varies
Trek Planner Maps
Geyser Park: 42.65734, -111.60517
Experience. Discover. Explore.
Follow along on our adventure then go out on your own!
I have visited Geyser Park in Soda Springs many times during my life. I remember coming here when I was very young and being amazed at the geyser and the surrounding orange-ish buildup. Even now I still feel it is a great place to stop.
Geyser Park is located downtown Soda Springs behind several of the buildings on Main Street. I have always enjoyed coming here, seeing the geyser and then eating in town when visiting.
The geyser has a very interesting history. Trying to find a hot water source for their planned swimming pool, a drilling company drilled down some 300 ft in November 1937 until they reached a large chamber. Inside this chamber, carbon dioxide gas mixes with the underground water building up pressure which then makes the water shoot out of the drill hole. The geyser can reach heights of around 100 ft. A timer and cap control the geyser so it erupts every half hour, on the hour, year round.
The park features a large parking lot right next to the geyser and the “hike” to the top of the geyser mound where you can get a great view of the spouting water is only about a hundred feet or so in length. There is a nice boardwalk trail surrounding the geyser and some information kiosks too.
The geyser is capped but there is still a good strong flow coming from the headgate even when the geyser isn’t shooting out. The water temperature feels about 70 degrees Fahrenheit and it would be nice to let the mist spray you on a hot summer day.
The city claims that this is the only captive geyser in the world!
Although there are signs that say don’t go on the geyser area, I have seen children running all over the orange and red colored mineral buildup. If you do bring younger kids make sure to keep an eye on them because some of the edges are steep and end in the ditch that is running with the geyser water.
That’s all there is to see here at Geyser Park besides the cemetery next door which is also interesting.
Personal Thoughts
Seeing this unexpected panel was a highlight of my trip. This panel is easy to miss, but just shows how much stuff really is out there. We just need to open our eyes to see it! If you have binoculars or a telephoto lens then this panel is worth the visit! If not, the petroglyphs are very difficult to see.