WATCH: Upstate New York’s “Ice Volcano” Is A Sight To Behold

There's probably nothing cooler to me than a volcano. You mean this unambiguous mountain can explode at any moment? That's awesome.

Unfortunately, New York isn't exactly a volcanic activity hub, but we do have one volcano, and it's unlike any other in the world.

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An Ice Volcano?

Typically, we expect volcanoes to spew molten rock and lava when they erupt. In Upstate New York, they erupt with ice. One of the state's most incredible semi-natural wonders is Letchworth's Ice Volcano.

The volcano itself only forms when the temperature drops below freezing, and starts with a simple fountain. Made without pumps or motors back in 1860, this simple garden fountain freezes in midair, creating a hollow cone of ice crystals. When the fountain goes off after the structure has completely frozen, it "erupts" with water that freezes in midair, creating an almost artificial snow.

Where Can You See This Phenomenon?

The volcano is located in Letchworth State Park, roughly an hour southeast of Buffalo. The structure itself is next to the Glen Iris Inn, which sits around 2 miles south of the Castile entrance.

Unfortunately, this isn't exactly a year round attraction. It takes a substantial amount of criteria for it to form, which means it's only up and active around two months out of the year, from January until early March. Even that isn't a guarantee. It could be a warmer year and not be available at all, or it could freeze from October to June. You never really know until you're there!