Established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its stunning geothermal features. A critical aspect for tourists to experience these features safely and sustainably is the extensive network of boardwalks that criss cross the park’s thermal areas.
Yellowstone has over 15 miles of boardwalk that allow visitors to explore the delicate ecosystems surrounding hydrothermal features without damaging them and they are designed to adapt to the park’s ever changing geothermal landscape. Yellowstone’s boardwalks are in constant flux to conform to the thermal areas they surround and sections are built and rebuilt each year.
As you might imagine when park staff is building boardwalks in geothermal areas it’s not as easy as laying down some footers and hammering in planks, there is careful consideration to their locations. The layout planning includes botanists surveys to ensure rare plants won’t be disturbed and thermal imaging to detect heat signatures to lay to the best path.
Yellowstone’s boardwalks are in constant use by its 4 million annual visitors and they are also convenient way to get around for some of the park’s resident wildlife including grizzly bears and bison. Although these boardwalks are robustly built by skilled craftsmen, apparently a well placed hoof of a 2,000lbs bison can exceed their structural integrity.
YELLOWSTONE BOARDWALK SAFETY: Protect Your Park, Protect Yourself
- Stay on boardwalks and trails in thermal areas
Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature. Keep your children close and don’t let them run.