Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Colorado Dolores Geyser Spring Trail

Geyser Spring Trail

Colorado's only true geyser is hidden within the San Juan National Forest.

Dolores, Colorado

Added By
Holly
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
82 degree turquoise water boils forth from a pool seemingly carved out of the snow.   Matt Payne
The geyser.   hwalker587 / Atlas Obscura User
The geyser during eruption.   hwalker587 / Atlas Obscura User
The trailhead.   WhiskeyBristles / Atlas Obscura User
Geyser with warning sign.   WhiskeyBristles / Atlas Obscura User
  asabry / Atlas Obscura User
The geyser is hidden within the mountainous San Juan National Forest.   U.S. Forest Service Staff/public domain
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This geyser won't shoot high in the air like Old Faithful, but that doesn't make it any less impressive. It may not put on much of a show, but the geyser is still worth seeking out nonetheless. 

According to the United States Forest Service, it’s the only true geyser in Colorado. If you hang around for a while, you’ll likely see it erupt—meaning you’ll start to see it roil over the sides of the pool and spill a little into the creek.

Because it's secluded within the mountains of the San Juan National Forest, you won’t have to worry about fighting through the crowds that flock to other more famous geysers, and you are likely to have it all to yourself. As such, hiking to this watery gem feels like stumbling upon a secret, safely guarded within the woods.

A newly constructed bridge will take you across the river to an easy trail through the woods (2.5 miles, 500 feet of elevation gain), slowly climbing up the hillside amid the smell of sulfur from hidden vents scattered in the woods. But don't worry: it's not an overwhelming stink.

You’ll descend down a small hill and see a sign marking the geyser, if the bright turquoise waters don't give it away first. Don't hang around too long or soak in it, as the hydrogen sulfide the gurgling water emits is toxic.

Related Tags

Geysers Trails Nature Water

Know Before You Go

The GPS coordinates lead to the trailhead. As long as the snow has melted, any car should be able to handle the gravel road to the trailhead. From the town of Dolores, head east on Highway 145 for 12 miles to the junction of NFSR (National Forest Service Road) #535. Turn left and travel 23.3 miles. The parking area is on the right side NFSR #535 (this is a new trailhead). The trailhead is 2.2 miles south of the town of Dunton.

Community Contributors

Added By

hwalker587

Edited By

erjeffery, WhiskeyBristles, Kerry Wolfe, asabry...

  • erjeffery
  • WhiskeyBristles
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • asabry
  • colleencourtney c93b920e

Published

June 28, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5203359.pdf
  • https://rootsrated.com/cortez-co/hiking/geyser-spring-trail-hiking
  • https://the-journal.com/articles/20665
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/recarea/?recid=42932&actid=104
Geyser Spring Trail
9650 Road 38
Dolores, Colorado, 81323
United States
37.757174, -108.12873
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Memorial Rock

Dolores, Colorado

miles away

Mahr Building

Telluride, Colorado

miles away

Christ of the Mines Shrine

Silverton, Colorado

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Dolores

Dolores

Colorado

Places 2

Nearby Places

Memorial Rock

Dolores, Colorado

miles away

Mahr Building

Telluride, Colorado

miles away

Christ of the Mines Shrine

Silverton, Colorado

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Dolores

Dolores

Colorado

Places 2

Related Stories and Lists

Colorado Winter Wonderland

railroads

Sponsored by Visit Colorado

Related Places

  • Krushuna Falls

    Bulgaria

    Krushuna Falls

    These cascading falls resonate throughout the Bulgarian forest.

  • Cascade Falls.

    Duck Creek Village, Utah

    Cascade Falls

    An improbable waterfall springs from an orange-white cliff face, tumbling into the headwaters of the Virgin River above Zion National Park.

  • Cascada El Chiflón.

    San Cristobalito, Mexico

    Cascada El Chiflón

    This series of waterfalls tumble into a radiantly blue river.

  • Chapel Rock on the shore of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

    Shingleton, Michigan

    Chapel Rock

    This lone tree and dramatic sandstone outcropping are so beloved by Michiganders they can be found on one of the state’s coins.

  • Wadi Qelt Canyon.

    Almon, Israel

    Wadi Qelt

    A serene desert oasis speckled with ancient artifacts.

  • Ses Fonts Ufanes

    Campanet, Spain

    Ses Fonts Ufanes

    This "flat geyser" bubbles up out of the ground periodically like a disappearing river.

  • Proxy Falls (technically, Lower Proxy Falls)

    McKenzie Bridge, Oregon

    Proxy Falls

    This frequently-photographed waterfall takes only a short hike to visit.

  • Spouting Horn Park

    Koloa, Hawaii

    Spouting Horn

    This blowhole is supposedly caused by a trapped monster.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.