Hype:

Crystal Geyser is a cold water geyser near Green River. Due to it's unpredictability, it can be an exercise in patience. It can go off anywhere between every hour to 24+ hours! Even if you don't get lucky enough to see it erupting, it is an interesting place to visit.

Trailhead:

When dry, the trailhead is reachable in any vehicle.

To get there, take the west Green River exit (exit 164). Go south, then east (left) onto the frontage road that parallels the highway. After 2.2 miles, turn south (right) and continue 3.5 more miles where a junction is encountered. Go right, and travel about 0.5 miles to the geyser. In summer of 2007, this was well signed.

Route:

The geyser is a large flat area with a pipe sticking out. Eruptions of the geyser have created a large amount of yellow flow stone as the water drains down to the Green River a short distance away. It follows common sense, but please do not put anything down the pipe of try and approach the pipe during an eruption.

Eruptions occur at unpredictable intervals, and for unpredictable lengths. If you want to see an eruption, the best plan is to camp near the geyser. Although camping is not great, it is certainly possible. The noise when it erupts is enough to wake all but the deepest sleepers.

Wikipedia has an article on Crystal Geyser, but it is limited. See My History below for my experiences.

Photos:

Maps:

Download map(s): Map 1

My History:

I have visited Crystal Geyser many times over the years. Many of my first visits were uneventful, so I finally camped at the geyser to see it erupt for the first time. Since that first camping trip, I have camped there a few times on the way to southern Utah and seen it erupt.

Eruptions have lasted from a few minutes to 45+ minutes, and reached heights of 20 m ( 66 ft ) . It is a really incredible site to behold. When complete, the water is sucked back into the pipe with a rather ominous sound. A small mud pool near the pipe often bubbles and fills with water right before and during an eruption.

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