Soda Springs
The town of Soda Springs, Idaho sits atop a carbonated aquifer that produces thousands of mineral springs, a geological oddity that made it a landmark on the Oregon Trail. The Soda Springs Geyser, created when a well was drilled into this pressurized system, erupts on a controlled timer from the roadside.
Standing at 5,779 feet elevation along Geyser Loop, visitors watch the geyser shoot mineral-laden water skyward at regular intervals. The water emerges at 82 degrees Fahrenheit, warm but not hot, carrying 494 mg/L of calcium and 198 mg/L of magnesium that leave thick mineral deposits on surrounding rocks. The town spreads across a high valley in Caribou County where winters bring 88 inches of snow and average air temperatures hold around 41.8 degrees year-round.
The geyser sits right off Geyser Loop road and is fully accessible without any walking. Visit the nearby mineral springs scattered through town for a fuller picture of the area's unusual hydrology. The water is not suitable for soaking. Free to view. Eight Mile Guard Station, a historic 1962 cabin available for rental, sits about 14 miles away for those wanting to stay overnight in the area.
Oregon Trail emigrants noted these effervescent springs in their journals, comparing the naturally carbonated water to commercial soda water. The underlying geology involves deeply circulating groundwater picking up carbon dioxide from volcanic sources before rising through faulted limestone. The geyser itself is an artificial creation from a 1937 well drilling that tapped the pressurized aquifer, but the thousands of natural springs surrounding the town are entirely natural features.
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Overview Eight Mile Guard Station is a short drive from Soda Springs, Idaho. It was established as early as 1908. Several buildings have appeared on this site, although most were replaced or relocated. The current cabin was built in 1962. The guard station only accessible by snowmobile in winter, and guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. Many conveniences are provided, especially in the warmer months, but additional supplies and gear may be needed to ensure a co...
Soda Springs sits at 5,779 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Soda Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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