Idaho's Unique Attraction Rivals Yellowstone With Guaranteed Eruptions And Fewer Crowds

Of all America's many natural wonders, none stand out in the global imagination quite like Yellowstone National Park. Not only was Yellowstone America's (and, by some accounts, the world's) first true "national park," but it is also one of the most popular outdoor destinations in North America. Lying atop a massive volcanic caldera, and preserving one of the world's most unique ecosystems, Yellowstone boasts some of the most breathtaking and unique views on the planet. Add the park's abundant wildlife, amazing hiking trails, and memorable outdoor activities, and you'll quickly see why Yellowstone is high on most people's camping bucket lists.

Unfortunately, Yellowstone's global fame also means huge, annoying crowds, especially at its most popular sights. No Yellowstone landmark is quite as famous as the world-renowned Old Faithful geyser. At the same time, no spot in the park draws quite as many tourists to such a small area. While getting a glimpse of the iconic geyser is a worthwhile experience, travelers who aren't too keen on having to navigate large crowds may want to seek out alternatives.

The good news is that there are a few less crowded and equally great alternatives to Yellowstone's touristy Old Faithful. In fact, the geothermal features in the area surrounding Yellowstone offer stunning alternatives within a day's drive of the park! Perhaps the best example of this is the epic geyser in the appropriately named town of Soda Springs. Located in Southern Idaho, just a few hours away from Yellowstone, Soda Springs' Geyser Park features unforgettable scenes, guaranteed eruptions, and much smaller crowds.

At first glance, Soda Springs Geyser is a near-perfect replica of Yellowstone's famed Old Faithful. Each eruption shoots a powerful jet of water up to 100 feet into the air, nearly reaching Old Faithful's maximum height of around 130 feet. While both geysers are impressive spectacles, Soda Springs has one clear advantage. Old Faithful, despite its name, still depends on underground pressure and other natural forces outside of human control. As a result, the geyser's full displays are not entirely predictable, nor consistent in their intensity. 

In contrast, the Soda Springs Geyser has reliable eruptions every hour on the hour. This consistency is certainly convenient for visitors, but also speaks to the geyser's unique nature. Unlike Old Faithful, which is a fully natural phenomenon, the Soda Springs Geyser arose from both natural geothermal activity and human-made ingenuity.

Specifically, the Soda Springs Geyser is a great example of a "captive geyser." The water shooting through the geyser is indeed natural, erupting from underground aquifers of naturally carbonated water from the region's abundant hot springs and carbon dioxide gas. However, the geyser itself is the result of historical happenstance. In 1937, locals who were drilling into the aquifer to create a new bathhouse instead got hit with a massive "geyser" of hot, carbonated water erupting from the depths below. Seeing an opportunity, the town eventually installed a valve and timer that regulates that geyser's eruptions every hour. Thanks to a little help from human technology, the Soda Springs Geyser is now as powerful as Old Faithful and even more reliable. This setup also helps visitors avoid making Yellowstone's dumbest tourist mistake by trying to take a dip directly into the geyser's boiling springs. 

Getting to see the towering spray of Geyser Park in person is certainly enough to justify a trip to Soda Springs. But the town and its attractions (both natural and artificial) are also major historical sites that are sure to intrigue history-minded visitors. Soda Springs was a key stop on both the Oregon and California Trails in the 19th century. Today, Geyser Park is part of the multi-state Oregon National Historic Trail and California National Historic Trail, both administered by the National Park Service.

Soda Springs is also a terrific gateway to some of the most amazing (if underrated) sights across South Idaho. Less than three hours away by car is Idaho's magnificent Shoshone Falls, AKA the "Niagara of the West." Closer to town are the worthwhile Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the gorgeous Formation Springs Preserve (which includes its own mineral springs, unique geological formations, and even caves). With such rich resources of flora, fauna, and epic Western landscapes, Soda Springs and its surrounding areas are a near-perfect doppelganger of Yellowstone National Park. Even better, the photogenic geyser at the heart of this Yellowstone alternative is completely free to visit!