Fly Geyser

Fly Geyser is a small but visually stunning geothermal geyser on private land in Washoe County, Nevada, about 32 km north of Gerlach on the edge of the Black Rock Desert.

It was accidentally created in 1964 when a geothermal energy company drilled a test well that proved too cool for power generation.

The well was improperly capped, and superheated water began forcing its way to the surface, depositing dissolved calcium carbonate and silica into an ever-growing mound now roughly 1.5 meters tall with multiple spouting vents.

The vivid rainbow of colors -- bright greens, reds, oranges, and yellows -- comes from thermophilic algae that thrive in the mineral-rich hot water, combined with sulfate deposits (yellow) and iron oxides (red).

The geyser continuously sprays water about 1.5 meters into the air, feeding a series of shallow terraced pools that spread across the surrounding flat desert, creating a surreal oasis of color against the stark alkaline playa.

A prior well drilled in 1917 created a separate geyser nearby that built a 3.7-meter calcium carbonate pillar before going dormant when the 1964 well began releasing pressure.

Both features sit on the 3,800-acre Fly Ranch, which the Burning Man Project purchased in 2016 for $6.5 million.

Since then, the non-profit has opened the property for guided nature walks managed by the Friends of Black Rock-High Rock organization.

The geyser continues to grow and change shape as minerals accumulate, making it a living geological sculpture that looks different from year to year.

Where to see it

A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.