Quick FactsOverview
About Flaming Geyser State Park
Flaming Geyser State Park, Washington is a free 480-acre day-use state park at 23700 SE Flaming Geyser Rd in Auburn, King County, on the Green River. The park is not a soaking spring. It is named for a methane gas seep accidentally ignited during early 1900s coal exploration in the Black Diamond area. When prospectors struck a gas pocket approximately 1,000 feet underground, the release shot water and flames 25 feet into the air. The spectacle was developed as a private recreational park from the 1920s until the 1960s, when it fell into bankruptcy and Washington State Parks acquired the land to prevent housing development.
As of approximately 2016, the Flaming Geyser no longer produces a flame due to methane depletion. Interpretive signage marks its location. The Bubbling Geyser nearby still produces faint bubbling from the same coal seam, visible from a viewing platform. The park is the western anchor of the Green River Gorge State Park Conservation Area, which covers 2,008 acres and 18 miles of river shoreline. Primary activities are summer river tubing and rafting, steelhead and salmon fishing, hiking on 4.3 miles of trails, picnicking, and model airplane flying in a designated area.
Location & Access
Getting to Flaming Geyser State Park
Flaming Geyser State Park is located at 23700 SE Flaming Geyser Rd in Auburn, Washington. From State Route 18, take the Auburn-Black Diamond Road exit and travel east approximately one-eighth of a mile to Green Valley Road. Turn right onto Green Valley Road and continue approximately nine miles to the park entrance. From Seattle, the drive takes approximately 45 minutes. From Tacoma, allow approximately 40 minutes. The park sits between the cities of Auburn and Black Diamond in King County.
The park is open year-round from 8am to dusk. A Washington Discover Pass is required for all day-use parking. A single-day pass costs $11.50 and an annual pass is $35. Passes can be purchased online in advance or at an automated payment station at the park entrance. There is no potable water at the park, so visitors should bring their own. There are restrooms and covered picnic shelters that can be reserved for groups of up to 50 people. For those visiting the Green River Gorge area or searching for geological curiosities near Seattle, Flaming Geyser State Park is the most accessible entry point to the Green River Gorge State Park Conservation Area and the only publicly accessible methane geyser site in Washington State.
Suitability & Accessibility
Suitability and Accessibility of Flaming Geyser State Park
Flaming Geyser State Park suits families, picnickers, anglers, river recreationists, and visitors interested in the intersection of Washington's coal mining history and natural geology. The park is a day-use facility only with no overnight camping. It is not suitable for visitors specifically seeking a soaking hot spring, as there are no thermal pools or soaking facilities of any kind. The methane geyser features are now largely depleted and visitors should not expect a dramatic flame or significant geyser activity.
The park has 4.3 miles of hiking trails and one mile of horse trails across varied terrain. The Salmon Interpretive Trail along the Green River is paved and ADA-accessible. Summer weekends draw large crowds for river tubing and rafting, and parking can fill early. The Green River is the main draw in summer. Water temperatures in the river are cold year-round, and the river can be hazardous for inexperienced paddlers in sections outside the immediate park area.
The park accommodates a range of group sizes. Covered picnic shelters with barbecues are reservable for up to 50 people each, and there are 200 unsheltered picnic tables on a first-come first-served basis. Model airplane enthusiasts require an Academy of Model Aeronautics card and solo permit sticker to fly at the designated field. Autumn is an excellent time to visit for salmon watching on the Salmon Interpretive Trail when salmon are running in the Green River.
Safety & Etiquette
Flaming Geyser State Park Safety Tips
Flaming Geyser State Park is a managed day-use park with park rangers on site during open hours. The park is open 8am to dusk year-round. Visitors should plan to leave before dusk and not linger after closing time. Alcohol is strictly prohibited in all areas of the park at all times. Violations are enforced by park rangers.
The Green River is the primary safety consideration at Flaming Geyser State Park. River temperatures are cold year-round. Hypothermia is a real risk for swimmers and tubers, particularly in spring when snowmelt raises water levels and lowers temperatures. The park posts cold water safety guidance and visitors are strongly encouraged to follow it. Wear a life jacket for all river activities. The river contains sections with submerged obstacles including rocks, tree snags, and shallow areas that can be hazardous for tubers and inexperienced paddlers.
The Bubbling Geyser viewing area involves a trail that can be muddy and slippery after rain. Use appropriate footwear. The viewing platform is above a small creek and the terrain is uneven in parts. Keep children supervised near the water features and creek edges throughout the park.
There is no potable water at the park. Bring sufficient drinking water for your entire visit, particularly in summer when temperatures can be high. Cell coverage in parts of the park along the river corridor may be limited. The nearest hospital is in Auburn. In an emergency, call 911 and provide your location within the park as precisely as possible.
