Flaming Geyser State Park

Flaming Geyser State Park
Flaming Geyser
Image of the Flaming Geyser
The Flaming Geyser. It burned significantly higher before the 1960s.
Map showing the location of the park in Washington state
Map showing the location of the park in Washington state
LocationKing County, Washington, Washington, USA
Nearest cityBlack Diamond, Washington
Coordinates47°16′20″N 122°01′22″W / 47.27222°N 122.02278°W / 47.27222; -122.02278 [1]
Area503 acres (204 ha)
Elevation226 [1]
Governing bodyWashington State Parks and Recreation Commission
WebsiteFlaming Geyser State Park

The Flaming Geyser State Park is located on the Green River in southwestern King County, Washington, near the city of Black Diamond.[2][3] The park was named for a flame which burned through a concrete basin, fueled by a methane gas pocket 1,000 feet (300 m) below the surface. When the pocket was discovered by prospective coal miners in the early 1900s, the test hole hit gas and saltwater, shooting water and flames 25 feet (10 m) into the air. The same methane pocket seeps gas through a mud hole to create the "Bubbling Geyser" nearby. Both "geysers" can be found along a short hike, though as of 2016 the flaming geyser is no longer lit due to depletion of its methane source.[4][5][6]

Despite these unique features, the most popular park use is for summer tubing and rafting in the river. Flaming Geyser also has a specially designated area for flying remote-controlled model airplanes.[6]

  1. ^ a b "Flaming Geyser State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference seattlepi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference seattlepi-2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Flaming Geyser State Park". Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region. Washington Trails Association. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  5. ^ "Green River Gorge State Park Area Management Plan". Washington State Parks. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Complete park information". Flaming Geyser State Park. Washington State Parks. Retrieved January 24, 2016.