Unearth The Voyage
Nestled in the southeast corner of Idaho lies a small town with a big attraction. Soda Springs, situated between Pocatello and Montpelier, is home to the world’s only captive geyser that erupts like clockwork every hour. This marvel wasn’t created by nature alone but happened when drillers accidentally tapped into an underground chamber in 1937, unleashing a spectacular water show that continues to amaze visitors today.
The Accidental Discovery That Made History
Back in 1937, a drilling crew searching for a hot spring to create a swimming pool got more than they bargained for. Their drill bit punctured a pressurized pocket of carbon dioxide and water 315 feet underground, creating an instant sensation. The unexpected geyser shot carbonated water over 100 feet into the air, drenching everything nearby!
Locals quickly realized they couldn’t just let water spray continuously. Engineers capped the geyser and installed a timer system that continues to operate today. The cold, mineral-rich water creates a growing travertine mound around the eruption site, similar to what you’d see at Yellowstone’s hot springs.
Unlike natural geysers powered by heat, this one works purely from carbon dioxide pressure—making it geologically unique worldwide.
A Predictable Performance Every Hour on the Hour
Forget waiting around hoping to catch a natural geyser’s unpredictable show. At exactly the top of every hour, 24 hours a day, the Soda Springs geyser faithfully performs its water dance. The town installed a timing mechanism that releases the underground pressure right on schedule, creating a tourist-friendly attraction you can actually plan around.
The reliable eruptions last about 5 minutes, shooting carbonated water skyward with impressive force. Visitors gather on the surrounding boardwalk, cameras ready, as the countdown to eruption approaches. Kids especially love the predictable thrill of the water show.
Even in winter, the geyser continues its hourly performance, creating spectacular ice formations and steam clouds that add extra magic to the cold-weather viewing experience.
The Bubbling Springs That Named a Town
Long before the famous geyser existed, Native Americans and pioneers knew this area for its naturally carbonated springs. These fizzy fountains, bubbling up through limestone and releasing carbon dioxide, gave Soda Springs its distinctive name. Early travelers on the Oregon Trail would stop here, amazed by water that seemed to be boiling without heat.
Hooper Springs Park preserves one of these natural carbonated springs where visitors can still sample the mineral-rich water directly from the source. The pavilion built around the spring dates back to 1920, protecting this unique geological feature.
Early accounts describe emigrants using the naturally carbonated water for baking bread without needing yeast—a practical use for this geological curiosity that saved precious supplies during the westward journey.
A Geological Wonder in Small-Town America
Soda Springs sits atop a fascinating underground landscape. The entire region rests on ancient limestone formations riddled with underground chambers filled with carbon dioxide—a geological recipe for carbonated springs and geysers. This rare combination of conditions exists in only a handful of places worldwide.
The town embraces its geological identity through Geyser Park, complete with educational displays explaining the science behind the eruptions. Families spread picnic blankets on grassy areas surrounding the geyser, making science education part of a relaxing day out.
Beyond the main geyser, visitors can explore other geological oddities nearby, including Formation Springs and the intriguing Octagon Spring with its unusual mineral deposits and historic stone enclosure built by early settlers.
An Off-the-Beaten-Path Idaho Treasure
While Yellowstone’s geysers draw massive crowds, Soda Springs offers a more intimate experience with Earth’s fascinating forces. The town of just 3,000 residents welcomes travelers along Highway 30, providing a perfect break from the road with its hourly water spectacle and small-town charm.
The surrounding Caribou National Forest adds to the appeal, offering outdoor adventures beyond geyser-watching. Visitors often combine their trip with exploring nearby Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge or fishing in the pristine waters of the Bear River.
Free admission to Geyser Park makes this hidden gem accessible to everyone. The town’s quiet streets, historic buildings, and friendly locals create an authentic Idaho experience that feels worlds away from crowded tourist destinations—yet it’s just a short detour from Interstate 15.
