Imagine stumbling upon a rainbow-hued, otherworldly geyser in the middle of the Nevada desert. Well, no need to imagine—it’s a real thing! It’s called the Fly Ranch Geyser. Born from a happy accident, this manmade wonder bursts with psychedelic colors and shapes that only otherwise appear in one’s dreams.
Location
You can find this dreamy site on the expansive 3,800-acre Fly Ranch in Northern Nevada, just about two hours north of Reno. Sitting right on the edge of the Nevada Black Rock Desert, it’s ready to wow anyone who comes its way.
History
The story of Fly Geyser began in 1916 when a well drilled for irrigation was abandoned due to its scalding hot water. Fast forward to 1964, when a geothermal power company drilled a test well that accidentally created the main geyser. Left uncapped, the well started shooting hot water, leading to the formation of calcium carbonate deposits that grow a few inches every year. Today, those deposits have turned into three large mounds popping up from a lush, green field.
Nowadays
These days, the Fly Geyser’s travertine cones tower nearly 6 feet tall, sporting eye-catching green and red colors thanks to thermophilic algae that love the heat and moisture. The cones still shoot scalding water about five feet into the air. And get this—quartz inside the mounds has formed way faster than usual, a process that typically takes around 10,000 years!
Guided Tours
While Fly Ranch is private and not open to the public, you can still get to see the Fly Geyser up close! Friends of Black Rock-High Rock offer 2-hour nature walks in partnership with the Burning Man Project, which purchased the land in 2016. These tours are donation-based, with ticket proceeds helping to keep them going.
