Natural Geysers

14 Natural Geysers Around the World That Erupt on Regular Schedules

Mother Nature can put on a show—sometimes right on schedule! Geysers are the superstars of hot springs, shooting boiling water and steam into the air like they’re punching holes in the sky. Unlike volcanoes that can lie quiet for centuries, some geysers keep a pretty tight calendar. If you’re ready to witness this wild waterworks without camping out for days, here’s your go-to list. Each of these natural wonders erupts often enough that you can plan a visit without much guesswork (and still get those bucket-list photos).

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Old Faithful (Yellowstone National Park, USA)

Old Faithful
Image Credit: DayTripper

Old Faithful earns its name every single day. Shooting boiling water up to 180 feet high about every 90 minutes, this geyser is Yellowstone’s reliable crowd-pleaser. Park rangers even predict eruption times, so you can arrive just before showtime and not miss out. If you want to know more or plan a stop, the National Park Service keeps current eruption windows updated at their official page—timing your visit is a breeze!
Check the latest Old Faithful eruption info.

Strokkur (Iceland)

Strokkur Maridav
Image Credit: Maridav

Set right near Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route, Strokkur erupts every 6 to 10 minutes, sometimes even more often. Watching this geyser is pure magic: It bubbles, forms a blue bubble dome, then blasts water as high as 65 feet. You’ll probably see several eruptions without moving from your spot. For those craving a quick window into Iceland’s geothermal secrets, Strokkur’s near-perfect reliability is unbeatable.
Curious about how often? Researchers have even tracked tens of thousands of eruptions.
Read an eruption monitoring study on Strokkur.

Lady Knox Geyser (Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand)

Lady Knox Geyser DmitryPichugin
Image Credit: DmitryPichugin

Lady Knox stands out in New Zealand’s volcanic wonderland. It erupts every day—typically at 10:15 AM sharp, thanks to a little help from rangers adding a soap compound (which lowers the water’s surface tension and starts the show on cue). A tall, foamy column jets up to 65 feet, all surrounded by stunning mineral terraces. Consistency? You bet. It’s practically a scheduled performance, perfect for travelers on a tight itinerary.

El Tatio Geysers (Chile)

El Tatio Geysers Getty Images
Image Credit: Getty Images

High in Chile’s Atacama Desert, El Tatio boasts dozens of geysers that bubble and erupt each morning, with some shooting up to 20 feet. While not every vent erupts on a perfect clock, enough do each dawn that there’s almost always action before sunrise. With steam rising in the frosty air, this place looks like another planet. Dress warm, arrive early, and your patience will almost always be rewarded!
Want to get inspired for your sunrise trek? Check out highlights from world’s most spectacular geysers.

Great Geysir (Iceland)

Great Geysir Getty Images
Image Credit: Getty Images

This famous Icelandic geyser rarely erupts now, but its younger sibling Strokkur picks up the slack next door. When Geysir does perform, the event is legendary—sometimes blasting water up to 230 feet. Historically, it used to erupt much more often, earning its spot as the original namesake for “geyser.” These days, it’s worth stopping by while you’re catching Strokkur’s near-guaranteed shows.

Castle Geyser (Yellowstone National Park, USA)

Castle Geyser Getty Images
Image Credit: Getty Images

Castle Geyser gets its name from the stone fortress-style mound that has built up over ages. Eruptions happen every 10 to 14 hours, leading to dramatic, 90-foot blasts followed by a long steam phase. The anticipation can build as you wait, but park guides post predictions for eruption windows, making it one of Yellowstone’s must-see timed geysers.

Daisy Geyser (Yellowstone National Park, USA)

Daisy Geyser Getty Images
Image Credit: Getty Images

Daisy runs a tight schedule, erupting roughly every 2.5 to 3 hours. Its geyser cone is smaller, but Daisy puts out a powerful, angled jet (up to 75 feet) that goes sideways—different from most straight-up geysers. It’s a favorite for those who want a reliable and speedy eruption cycle. Park staff help keep visitors posted on when to gather for the next show.

Riverside Geyser (Yellowstone National Park, USA)

Riverside Geyser Getty Images
Image Credit: Getty Images

Riverside is as scenic as its name promises. Right beside the Firehole River, this geyser puts on a dramatic display every 5 to 7 hours, arching water nearly 75 feet across. The location adds a little magic, especially at sunset. Timing is updated daily by rangers, so you’re not just guessing—or waiting all day.

Geyser of Herľany (Slovakia)

Geyser of Herlany Wickipedia
Image Credit: Wikipedia

Herľany’s geyser brings a European twist. It erupts about every 32 to 36 hours, sending cold water up to 49 feet in the air—a rarity among geysers, which are almost always hot. The event lasts around 30 minutes, and, with a little planning, you can catch it as part of a relaxed tour around Slovakia’s mineral springs.

Andernach Geyser (Germany)

Andernach Geyser Getty Images
Image Credit: Getty Images

Germany’s Andernach is the world’s highest cold-water geyser. Every two hours, it erupts up to 200 feet, powered by naturally occurring carbon dioxide rather than heat. There’s even a visitor center and a boat ride to the eruption site—super convenient for families. If you’re traveling in Europe, this one’s easy to schedule and impresses with its height and power.

Waimangu Geyser (New Zealand, currently dormant)

Waimangu Geyser Getty Images
Image Credit: Getty Images

Waimangu once erupted on a nearly clockwork schedule in the early 1900s, blasting water up to 1,500 feet (yes, really). While it’s dormant now, the site still features plenty of geothermal activity and other small, bubbling geysers on regular cycles. It’s a must-see for history buffs and those who love the wild stories behind our world’s natural wonders.

Crystal Geyser (Utah, USA)

Crystal Geyser S.J. Jessie Quinney Library Flickr
Image Credit: S.J. & Jessie Quinney Library | Flickr

Unlike many others, Crystal isn’t in a geothermal hotspot. It’s a cold-water geyser driven by carbon dioxide, not steam. Eruptions aren’t as predictable, but on average, Crystal shoots skyward every 8 to 22 hours, with minor burbling happening between big blasts. The landscape around the Green River adds even more reason to visit.

Great Fountain Geyser (Yellowstone National Park, USA)

Great Fountain Geyser Getty Images
Image Credit: Getty Images

Great Fountain is Yellowstone’s only major predictable geyser found on the park’s Firehole Lake Drive. You can check prediction times and, if you’re lucky, see one of its 100-200-foot eruptions. The time between blasts is about 9 to 15 hours, but those who plan ahead get a front-row seat to something stunning.

Giant Geyser (Yellowstone National Park, USA)

Giant Geyser Getty Images
Image Credit: Getty Images

Giant doesn’t erupt as often as Old Faithful or Strokkur, but when it does, it’s spectacular. Eruptions can launch water up to 250 feet. While unpredictable in recent years, there are periods when it will erupt on a roughly 8-to-12-day cycle. The anticipation is half the fun—if you do catch it, you’ll tell the story forever.

Spotting a geyser right as it lets loose is unforgettable. Timing it right so you don’t miss the show takes the stress out of your trip and brings a little magic to your day. Whether you’re road-tripping through Yellowstone or soaking in the sights of Iceland or New Zealand, these natural geysers give you front-row seats to Earth’s most impressive waterworks—no guesswork needed. Pro tip: Check eruption schedules before you go (many national parks and tourist centers update them daily), pack your camera, and get ready for a show you’ll talk about for years!

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