In 1964, a geothermal well was drilled and improperly capped. Hot water began seeping out, depositing minerals that built a surreal landscape of multi-colored cones covered in algae. The structure grows several inches each year, changing shape as minerals crystallize in greens, reds, and oranges.
Jeremy C. Munns, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
An Unintentional Creation
Fly Geyser is not a natural formation. Its existence is the result of two separate drilling attempts, nearly 50 years apart. The first occurred around 1916 when settlers drilled a well for irrigation water in Nevada's Hualapai Flat. They discovered geothermal water at a temperature of about 200°F (93°C), which was too hot for their crops, and abandoned the well. Over the following decades, dissolved minerals from the gushing water precipitated to form a calcium carbonate cone approximately 10 to 12 feet tall, which became known as "The Wizard."
In 1964, a geothermal energy company drilled a new test well a few hundred feet away. The water they found was still around 200°F, not hot enough for their energy production goals. The company attempted to cap the well, but the seal failed. Pressurized water escaped and created a new geothermal feature. This new spouter, Fly Geyser, diverted pressure from the original 1916 well, largely drying it up. The new, uncapped well has been releasing water continuously ever since, building the geyser we see today.
The Science of Color and Form
The Fly Geyser structure is a complex of multiple cones on a large mound. The main cones are about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, and the entire formation rises 25 to 30 feet (about 9 m) from the desert floor. Water, heated by a deep pool of hot rock, constantly jets up to 5 feet (1.5 m) into the air.
The structure is composed primarily of travertine, a form of limestone (calcium carbonate) deposited by the mineral-rich water. The water also has a high concentration of silica, which allows quartz to form inside the geyser at an unusually rapid rate. The constant deposition of minerals causes the entire formation to grow by several inches each year. This mineral-laden outflow has created between 30 and 40 terraced pools across 74 acres.
The geyser's colors do not come from the minerals themselves. Instead, they are the product of thermophilic algae and cyanobacteria. These microorganisms are adapted to thrive in the hot, moist environment. Different species prefer different temperatures, creating distinct zones of color—reds, greens, and oranges—across the travertine surfaces.
💡Fun Facts
The geyser is one of three on the property; the original 1916 creation is called "The Wizard," and a third, smaller one is named "Will's Geyser."
The property, known as Fly Ranch, was purchased by the Burning Man Project for $6.5 million in 2016.
The high silica content in the water allows quartz to form inside the geyser—a process that normally takes up to 10,000 years.
The geyser sits on land that is part of the traditional territory of the Numu (Northern Paiute) and Newe (Western Shoshone) peoples.
The site is on private property and is not open for general public access. Access is available only through guided 2.5-hour nature walks offered by Friends of Black Rock-High Rock, which are held on select dates.
Admission
Tickets for the guided nature walks are required. As of early 2026, prices are approximately $52 for adults and $26.50 for children 12 and under.
Accessibility
The tour is a walking tour over uneven, natural desert terrain. The property is a 3,800-acre ranch.
