Fly Geyser

Water in the desert always creates amazing things: In this case, it happens to be a kaleidoscopic, man-made geyser jutting out of the ground. Less than 30 minutes from Gerlach, Fly Geyser is a geothermal marvel that can only be experienced on a Fly Ranch Nature Walk. 

Historic Fly Ranch

Not far from the Applegate-Lassen Cutoff along the California Trail, many pioneers passed through the now-famous Black Rock Desert as they made their way west to northern California. When a family of pioneers settled here, they likely didn’t know their property was located on Nevada’s Hualapai Geothermal Flats. While digging a well to make their land usable for ranching, they hit geothermal waters measuring about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the water ran so hot, it couldn’t be used for agricultural purposes and was abandoned. 

Though the first man-made geyser sat bubbling for decades, a geothermic energy company tapped a second location in the 1960s. The water was hot, but not hot enough to harness energy. That second drill site was re-sealed, but a new, even larger geyser still formed a couple of hundred feet away from the original geyser. A calcium carbonate cone continued to grow, spew nearly boiling water, and deposit minerals—resulting in Fly Geyser. Its spectacular hues come from the multi-colored algae present on its natural terraces.

Fly Ranch Nature Walks

In 2016, the non-profit Burning Man Project purchased Fly Ranch, which includes Fly Geyser, and preserved it as a sanctuary. Now, Friends of Black Rock-High Rock offers guided tours on select Saturdays in the spring, summer, and fall. Pick up Fly Ranch Nature Walk tickets to see wetlands, Burning Man art, wildlife, and three geysers.