Flaming Geyser State Park

Flaming Geyser State Park is a nature reserve in Black Diamond that spans roughly 480 acres along the Green River. The area offers riverbank access, forest trails, and two geological formations with bubbling effects where methane from underground chambers rises through water.

The area began as a private recreational space in the 1920s. It passed into state ownership in the 1960s when financial troubles forced a transition.

The park connects to Black Diamond's coal mining past, with underground methane deposits coming from extensive coal seams beneath the surface.

The grounds have multiple entry points and are open during daylight hours for foot traffic. Visitors should wear non-slip footwear and prepare for wet terrain, especially near the river and geyser areas.

The geysers form from a rare geological condition where methane from coal seams naturally pushes to the surface and creates bubbles in water basins. This is not like traditional thermal geysers but rather a cold gas phenomenon that only a handful of places on Earth share.

Location: Washington

Operator: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Email: flaming.geyser@parks.wa.gov

Website: https://parks.wa.gov/504/Flaming-Geyser

GPS coordinates: 47.27220,-122.02300

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:23