Flood Geyser Area ~ Yellowstone National Park

The Flood Geyser Area is located in the Midway Geyser Basin, which is a vast showcase of these geothermal oddities. Massive amounts of steam rises up from the many hot spring pools and geysers in the entire valley, which imparts a visual experience that compares to a prehistoric land of the lost Hollywood movie. This grassy valley definitely is not an average mountain meadow and even the local wildlife tends to not get closer than the outskirts because this can truly be a dangerous place to be. The unstable ground is very thin in the Midway Geyser Basin and boiling hot water lies just beneath the surface, so visitors are restricted to the boardwalks and roadside scenic overlooks. One of the best spots to get an overview of the geo thermal action in this valley is the Flood Geyser Area, which is a roadside overlook on the high ground. The Flood Geyser is located just below the scenic overlook next to the Firehole River, which is where all the hot water from this geyser field drains into.

For those who might expect a big geyser eruption, the Flood Geyser will likely be a disappointment. The Flood Geyser does build up enough pressure for a full eruption on rare occasions, but because of the high volume of water the vertical blast usually is not much of a show. Just like the name suggests, this geyser steadily pumps out a massive amount of hot water, just like a flood. Even though the eruptions are rarely seen, the Flood Geyser does produce billowing clouds of steam, which definitely adds a dramatic effect to this strange volcanic landscape. Views of the Flood Geyser Area will certainly create a dreamlike state,  so be sure to set some extra time aside to take it all in!