Hiding in the town of Soda Springs, Idaho is a quintessential roadside attraction that should definitely be on your radar: the world’s only man-made geyser. First “discovered” nearly 80 years ago, it’s become a popular road stop for travelers passing through, and for good reason. Seeing it spray up from the ground 100-feet into the air is an experience to remember.
Did you know that there is only one man-made geyser in the entire world, and it’s right here in Idaho? Located in the small town of Soda Springs, it’s a quintessential stop for travelers in the area.
Soda Springs is a quiet little community of just over 3,000 residents. The largest man-tamed geyser in the world is one of the last things you’d expect to find in a small town like this, yet here it is…and it’s truly extraordinary.
The geyser has been here, blasting towards the sky with incredible force, since 1937 when a man drilled into the ground while looking for geothermal water. It seems by accident, the man actually drilled into an underground chamber filled with carbon dioxide gas and hot water.
At first, there was no stopping the geyser. Although natural geysers fall into a timed schedule by themselves, this man-made geyser would keep spewing if not stopped. So, a cap was put on it to keep it under control, and released on the hour every hour.
On a nice, windless day, the geyser can reach heights of up to 150-feet in the air. Natural or man-made, it’s definitely a cool thing to see with your own eyes!
Be sure to check out the visitor center adjacent to the geyser. Complete with informational signs and a wind meter (so you can see what height the geyser is expected to reach), it provides some great information on the area’s history and how this quirky roadside wonder came to be.
Don’t you dare pass through Soda Springs without checking out the world’s largest (and only) man-tamed geyser. It’s scheduled to go off every hour on the hour, and you’ll find it in Geyser Park behind the Enders Hotel.
Have you been to this unique man-made geyser? Idaho is home to just all sorts of bizarre roadside attractions! What’s your favorite? Be sure to chime in below.
