In recent months, numerous tourists at Yellowstone National Park have been caught on video dipping their hands into scalding thermal pools despite multiple warnings about the dangers involved. This alarming trend has garnered attention on social media, primarily through the infamous Instagram account known as TouronsOfYellowstone, which publicly shames visitors for flouting park rules and putting their own safety at risk.
Yellowstone is a stunning but perilous natural environment, fraught with various hazards, including encounters with wildlife, treacherous fast-flowing rivers, and steep cliffs. However, one of the gravest threats within the park is the hot springs. The National Park Service (NPS) emphasizes that visitors should recognize that Park Rangers cannot ensure their safety and that it is their personal responsibility to comply with park regulations and exercise common sense.
According to the park’s visitor safety guidelines, “Boardwalks and trails have been carefully constructed to protect both visitors and the delicate thermal formations. Hot springs contain water that can cause severe or even fatal burns, and beneath the thin, seemingly solid crusts around these hot springs lies scalding water.”
While the video compilation shows that the individuals involved escaped serious injuries, not everyone who ventures too close to thermal pools is as fortunate. Over the years, numerous individuals have suffered severe burns from hot springs at Yellowstone, whether due to deliberate entry or accidental mishaps.
In a heartbreaking incident in 2016, Colin Scott tragically lost his life after accidentally falling into the Norris Geyser Basin while seeking a warm pool to relax in. This basin, known as the park’s oldest and hottest water feature, claimed Scott’s life almost instantly.
Similarly, in 2021, Laiha Slayton endured excruciating burns when she leaped into Maiden’s Grave Spring to rescue her dog. Her ordeal included enduring a staggering 18 surgeries at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, and she was only released from the hospital four months later to continue her recovery at home.
These tragic incidents underscore the gravity with which Park Rangers view trespassing near thermal features. In August of the current year, a man faced misdemeanor charges after straying off the boardwalk while intoxicated, resulting in a painful burn in a hot spring. According to a spokesperson for the US Attorney’s Office, while his injury was considered “non-life-threatening,” it served as a stark reminder of the perils associated with disregarding safety regulations in Yellowstone National Park.
In summary, the thermal pools at Yellowstone National Park pose a significant and potentially deadly danger to visitors. Despite numerous warnings, some individuals continue to risk severe burns and even their lives by approaching or entering these scalding hot springs. Yellowstone’s unique geothermal features are mesmerizing, but they demand utmost respect and adherence to safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.