The Geysers (Beowawe Geysers)
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Directory data reviewed September 2026
This is the Beowawe Geysers geothermal field in Whirlwind Valley, Eureka County NV (~10 km west of Beowawe, ~20 mi south of Battle Mountain) — a BLM roadside thermal area with steaming vents and a big sinter terrace that was North America's second-largest geyser field before geothermal drilling killed most natural geysers in the 1960s; water is near-boiling (~200F) and it is strictly a look-at site, NOT a soaking spring.
Field notes — checked September 2026
- Hazard: Near-boiling water and steam (94-95.5C documented)
- Hazard: Toxic geothermal gases (H2S) and unstable thin-crust ground around vents
- Hazard: Unfenced scalding features — keep children and dogs far back
- Hazard: Active geothermal industrial plant and wells nearby
- NOT soakable — thermal features run ~94-95.5C (202-208F); boiling water, toxic gases, and unstable ground
- Most natural geysers stopped erupting after geothermal exploration drilling began in 1959; sinter-terrace geysering died out in the 1960s
- Active 16.7 MW Beowawe dual-flash geothermal plant (online 1985, Terra-Gen/Beowawe Power) plus a new Ormat 29 MW geothermal + 6 MW solar plant commissioned 2024 operate in the field
- Uncontrolled steam wells have historically discharged ~100 ft high and are visible from I-80
- Real winter snow at 4,800 ft; high desert basin site with no facilities, no fees, no camping info on record
Current status
Checked September 2026 · verified against an official sourceThis is the Beowawe Geysers geothermal field in Whirlwind Valley, Eureka County NV (~10 km west of Beowawe, ~20 mi south of Battle Mountain) — a BLM roadside thermal area with steaming vents and a big sinter terrace that was North America's second-largest geyser field before geothermal drilling killed most natural geysers in the 1960s; water is near-boiling (~200F) and it is strictly a look-at site, NOT a soaking spring.
Sources: USGS Bulletin 1998 — 'The Beowawe Geysers, Nevada, before geothermal development' (D.E. White): 2nd-largest geyser field in N. America, 12-27 active geysers 1945-57, drilling began 1959 (official · 1998) · Nevada Bureau of Mines & Geology — Beowawe geothermal site description (temps 94-95.5C, Eureka/Lander Co, power plant history, Whirlwind Valley location) (official · 2014) · BLM/Nevada historical marker — Beowawe Geysers KGRA (well temps >400F, steam wells visible from I-80) (community · 2024) · Nevada Division of Minerals — Geo 1584 Beowawe Power project permit page (active geothermal development, May 2024) (official · 2024-05) · renewablesinfo.org — Beowawe plant listing (Ormat Nevada Inc, 29 MW geothermal + 6 MW solar, operating since 2024, coords 40.5547,-116.6175) (community · 2024)
This is the Beowawe Geysers geothermal field in Whirlwind Valley, Eureka County NV (~10 km west of Beowawe, ~20 mi south of Battle Mountain) — a BLM roadside thermal area with steaming vents and a big sinter terrace that was North America's second-largest geyser field before geothermal drilling killed most natural geysers in the 1960s; water is near-boiling (~200F) and it is strictly a look-at site, NOT a soaking spring.
Fact Sheet & Geothermal Specifications
| Source Temp (Historical) | Not reported |
|---|---|
| Trail Access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access Fee | Reported Free — Verify Locally |
| Geothermal Data Reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check Land Status | USGS Bulletin 1998 — 'The Beowawe Geysers, Nevada, before geothermal development' (D.E. White): 2nd-largest geyser field in N. America, 12-27 active geysers 1945-57, drilling began 1959 |
Detailed Description
A broad sinter-terrace geyser field in Whirlwind Valley ~4 mi southwest of Beowawe, Nevada — before geothermal drilling in 1959 it was the second-largest active geyser field in North America. Now hosts a geothermal power plant. VIEW-ONLY: vents up to ~208°F, thin crust over scalding water — not soakable. NOTE: Nevada's 'The Geysers' — not the famous Sonoma County CA power field. Boiling water, thin unstable crusts, toxic gases — view from solid ground only. The famous Beowawe geysers largely stopped erupting after geothermal power operations began ~1985 — sinter terraces remain but natural geysering is gone. View-only industrial-area site.
About The Geysers (Beowawe Geysers)
Before geothermal development, the Beowawe Geysers in Whirlwind Valley were the second-largest geyser field in North America behind Yellowstone — at least 28 geysers were observed across a broad sinter terrace about 4 miles southwest of the town of Beowawe. First described in 1869, the field was studied by USGS geologist Donald White between 1945 and 1957; most geysers erupted on intervals under an hour, and the tallest — Vent 29, the 'Beowawe' Geyser — reached 8–10 m. Named features included the Teakettle, Spitfire, White Flame, Orange Spouter, Pincushion, and Frying Pan geysers.
The system sits where the northern Nevada rift intersects the Malpais fault; NBMG reports initial reservoir temperatures of 213–216 °C in fractured Paleozoic Valmy Formation rock more than 2,040 m deep — among the highest well temperatures in Nevada. Drilling began in fall 1959, and by September 1960 discharge from uncapped wells had dried up the springs and stopped the geysers; water levels fell 87–93 m below ground by 1962, and dormant vents were backfilled with sinter. A geothermal power plant now occupies the terrace.
Nevada Geothermal Context
Nevada has more hot springs per square mile than any other state — Basin and Range faulting brings deep thermal water to the surface across nearly every valley. Most sites are primitive seeps and tubs on public BLM land reached by long, unmaintained dirt roads. Carry extra water, and watch for flash floods in desert washes during storms.
What a primitive site means here
Primitive springs have no facilities: no changing rooms, no trash service, often no maintained road to the pool. Expect natural rock or gravel bottoms, water temperature that varies by spot and season, and other visitors who may treat the site informally. Pack out everything you bring, test the water before entering, and leave the pool cleaner than you found it.
Directions & Trailhead Access
Access is restricted; do not use historical directions to plan a visit.
Sources & References
- USGS Bulletin 1998 — 'The Beowawe Geysers, Nevada, before geothermal development' (D.E. White): 2nd-largest geyser field in N. America, 12-27 active geysers 1945-57, drilling began 1959 — official · 1998
- Nevada Bureau of Mines & Geology — Beowawe geothermal site description (temps 94-95.5C, Eureka/Lander Co, power plant history, Whirlwind Valley location) — official · 2014
- BLM/Nevada historical marker — Beowawe Geysers KGRA (well temps >400F, steam wells visible from I-80) — community · 2024
- Nevada Division of Minerals — Geo 1584 Beowawe Power project permit page (active geothermal development, May 2024) — official · 2024-05
- renewablesinfo.org — Beowawe plant listing (Ormat Nevada Inc, 29 MW geothermal + 6 MW solar, operating since 2024, coords 40.5547,-116.6175) — community · 2024
Additional references for this record; a source link does not guarantee current conditions.
Current access has not been independently confirmed for this visit. Check the linked sources before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction
Frequently Asked Questions: The Geysers (Beowawe Geysers)
Is The Geysers (Beowawe Geysers) open right now?+
This is the Beowawe Geysers geothermal field in Whirlwind Valley, Eureka County NV (~10 km west of Beowawe, ~20 mi south of Battle Mountain) — a BLM roadside thermal area with steaming vents and a big sinter terrace that was North America's second-largest geyser field before geothermal drilling killed most natural geysers in the 1960s; water is near-boiling (~200F) and it is strictly a look-at site, NOT a soaking spring. (Status verified against an official source, last checked September 2026.)
Can I soak at The Geysers (Beowawe Geysers)?+
This is the Beowawe Geysers geothermal field in Whirlwind Valley, Eureka County NV (~10 km west of Beowawe, ~20 mi south of Battle Mountain) — a BLM roadside thermal area with steaming vents and a big sinter terrace that was North America's second-largest geyser field before geothermal drilling killed most natural geysers in the 1960s; water is near-boiling (~200F) and it is strictly a look-at site, NOT a soaking spring.
Where can I check access to The Geysers (Beowawe Geysers)?+
Check USGS Bulletin 1998 — 'The Beowawe Geysers, Nevada, before geothermal development' (D.E. White): 2nd-largest geyser field in N. America, 12-27 active geysers 1945-57, drilling began 1959: https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/1998/report.pdf