Yellowstone National Park’s 2.2 million acres are home to more than 10,000 thermal features, including the world’s greatest concentration of geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and steamvents. These fragile hydrothermal areas are the primary reason Yellowstone was established as the first National Park back on March 1, 1872, by Act of Congress in an effort to protect and preserve them for future generations.
Yellowstone has a vast network of boardwalks and trails designed to protect both tourists and delicate thermal formations. There is ample signage throughout Yellowstone making it crystal clear that visitors should not wander off paths in geothermal areas but some chose to willfully disregarded the rules like this pair of idiots. It’s one thing to break a rule in a spur of the moment bonehead decision, but this man’s actions were clearly premeditated as he brought an egg and a frying pan to Yellowstone with bad intentions.
As a warning to anyone who might be thinking of disregarding the rules of regulations of Yellowstone National Park for their own personal enjoyment, thermal trespass is a serious crime which can be punished by fines and even jail time.
Yellowstone Thermal Areas Rules:
Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations. Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs.
- Always walk on boardwalks and designated trails. Keep children close and do not let them run on boardwalks.
- Do not touch thermal features or runoff.
- Swimming or soaking in hot springs is prohibited. More than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone’s hot springs.
- Pets are prohibited in thermal areas.
- Do not throw objects into hot springs or other hydrothermal features.
- Toxic gases may accumulate to dangerous levels in some hydrothermal areas. If you begin to feel sick while exploring one of our geyser basins, leave the area immediately.