crystal geyser

Green River is a decent base for a wide variety of activities like hiking and rafting that can burn a whole day at a time. For something more unique and less time consuming, a vist to Crystal Geyser is worthy and fits the bill. Word is that this man made geyser no longer erupts with the frequency and intensity of days gone by. However, the water does still flow and the ground is fascinating to see. The minerals and deposits have left a colorful landscape that visitors can see and touch at their leisure. Photo ops are unlike other places nearby. And if you're fortunate like I was, you'll detect an increase in the flow, observe the heat above the spout and see the water level rise by a few feet.

Even without experiencing it blowing – and it seems it isn’t doing it right now, even though all the information says twice a day - this is a place not to be missed when staying in Green River. It’s near town and can be accessed by any car – you need no 4WD and no high clearance. The different colors of the dissolved minerals and elements flowing from the blowhole down to the edge of the river are a sight to see indeed, forming a bizarre tapestry of scurrilous forms and designs. When we were there the geyser did gush gently and water came flooding across the apron of the flow zone. Don’t miss this; it’s fascinating.

This Crystal Geyser (ONE OF ONLY 6 COLD WATER GEYSERS IN THE WORLD) attraction is located about 12 miles off the main interstate road of I-70 near Green River, Utah. If we did not see some xeroxed directions in our hotel, we would not have found it. Check at the local Super 8 or at the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, UT, for some directions before you attempt to go to Crystal Geyser, (south of town, across the I-70 divided roadway .... follow the paved road two miles east, parallel to I-70, and then turn right after 2 miles at the crossroad, on to the first dirt road at sign, for 10 more miles of dirt road.) Make sure you have a pretty full fuel tank, water, sunscreen, broad brim hat, and snacks.Crystal Geyser is in a very isolated area, with rutted dirt road most of the way.....drive slow if you have a low clearance vehicle. Four wheel drives will find the journey fun....obviously some folks go "off road" as tire marks of trucks and trail bikes are clearly visible on the eroded hills and bluffs of the area. FOLLOW THE FEW SMALL SIGNS ... REMEMBER TO GO DOWN IN ELEVATION TOWARDS THE GREEN RIVER (UNDER THE POWER LINES). No restroom or any other comfort or food facilities are at the geyser....this is really in the desert, folks....so find a bush that needs watering.The Crystal Geyser itself is far from crystal clear water....it is the remains of an old gas deposit exploration drilling site. The drill evidently broke in to a subterranean pocket inversion chamber where gas slowly builds up in the chamber until it "burps" about once a day (at the most, twice) and discharges the accumulated ground water above the chamber, back up through the old 16 inch steel well pipe to make about a 60' - 80' high cold water geyser. The remaining rusting gas pipe stand is clearly visible above ground about 6 feet high. This COLD WATER GEYSER has NO STEAM POWERED WATER here, like in Yellowstone. It is all powered by accumulating natural gas from decaying prehistoric vegetation in sedimentary deposits in deep layers underground along the banks of the ancient Green River. In fact, Crystal Geyser is ONE OF ONLY 6 COLD WATER GEYSERS IN THE WORLD....therefore, it is quite unique, if you are lucky enough to be present when it "burps". DANGER NOTICE: This water geyser contains a lot of small rounded pebbles and rocks (you'll see them accumulating in layers on the ground around the geyser's stand pipe), which can be quite dangerous if they land on your head or on your car....keep your distance away from the geyser pipe when it "burps". There is a home-made steel rebar grate welded to the top of the pipe to keep the larger rocks from coming up through the pipe and causing serious damage, as they would otherwise land on you.We recommend taking your time, enjoy the desert's beautiful colored travertine rock layers, and to explore the banks of the Green River area around this unique COLD WATER geyser ....interesting vegetation, great blue herons, fish, birds, desert fox, and rabbits make the area their home. We found the remains of some unfortunate turtle (picked clean). You can picnic here, too, while awaiting the geyser to "burp"....and you will probably burp before it does!Also, we hope you have a nice day here weather wise, because the dirt roads are susceptible to washing out in heavy rain and can easily turn to thick mud. Go back to Green River town before dark, unless you are confident you can find the way back in the dark, or if you are camping....in the darkness here the stars are MAGNIFICENT!....and maybe the Crystal Geyser will "burp" at midnight! ;-)

I guess it would have been neat to see had it actually been erupting when we were there. :) Twice a day is apparently normal and well...we just weren't there during those times.The drive was fun, and the old [Cold War era?] Air Force missile buildings were really neat to see. Nothing spectacular left there, but was just an interesting piece of history to observe.Too many flies (and a bum) down near the river, so we didn't get out of the car. P.S. No...it was not a family with teens visit. Just a family visit, but unfortunately that isn't an option. LOL

Really different than what you expect to see in the region. Kind of a pain to get to but interesting when you arrive. Good place to get some good pics. No facilities.

Perhaps, after seeing Yellowstone, my standards are set too high. There's not much to see here other than orange travertine and a thick metal pipe sticking out of the ground, plus much of the travertine was damaged from people walking on it. It's quite off the beaten path. Ask for directions at the John Wesley Powell River Museum on 1765 East Main Street in Green River first. The staff there will have a flyer to give you and may even direct you to petroglyphs or hikes to more interesting sites in the area.

Great little place that has the looks (and smell) of Yellowstone. You can climb all over it and explore. My boys, 13 and 5 loved it, plus we had the place all to ourselves. A great place to visit that is really close to Green River.

I do not feel it was worth the drive. The pool was more like a pond than a geyser with little to view. It is secluded for a "off the highway" break/lunch.

Very cool to see and read about how it works and the high percentage of minerals it deposits into the river and eventually Lake Powel. I don’t like crowds and fences when touring, so this was great.

Was along drive to see a geyser that used to flow more then it does. You really have to watch the signs. Not well mapped out

This was a surprise for us. The ride to the geyser was nice and the colors of the geyser flow to the river beautiful. It does not take long to get there and we recommend making this a spot to visit

It was easy driving and easy walking. The quiet was amazing. Go in late afternoon for the best light,

This is a cold water Geyser. The setting is spectacular right on the green river. The Geyser itself has left a beautiful red settlement on landscape

This place has some great history!! It's a little off the beaten path but well worth the trek, especially if you're into science!

The cold geyser "goes off" twice a day, every 12-16 hours. Therer are folks drove an RV to wait for it. For the travelers who cannot do the extended waiting, the geyser "bubbles up" every 15-30 minutes when we were there.Cold water geyser is very rare, and the mineral deposits here have a very similar pattern with the ones in the Yellowstone. Except for the unrestticted and direct access. We saw people who left after stood need the pool of water. Don't forget to follow the flow of water to the river and observe the deposits from the river bank, it's amazing especially during the sunset.