Of all the potential hazards tourists may face exploring the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone National Park, burns from thermal features are one of the most common causes of serious injuries in the park.
Visitors to Yellowstone have the unparalleled privilege to explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers but its is imperative to stay on designated footpaths for their safety and preservation of this delicate ecosystem.
As the tourism season begins to ramp up with the arrival of spring weather, Yellowstone issued a statement regrading safety while traveling through the parks thermal features and geyser basins reminding guests that foot travel must be confined to boardwalks or maintained trails that are marked by official signs.
“Our thermal features will definitely make an impression on you—please don’t leave an impression on them! Not only is it illegal to touch Yellowstone’s thermal features, it is also dangerous. Stepping off designated boardwalks and trails has hurt and killed people in the past.” -Yellowstone National Park
This warning is especially pertinent when the sun goes down as approaching or shortcutting through geyser basins after dark comes with greater danger of stepping into hot springs.
It should go without saying but it is illegal to swim or bathe in any water that is entirely of thermal origin. Yellowstone’s hot springs contain algae, bacteria, and fungi endemic to the park and soaking or wading in springs can destroy these life forms. Also throwing any objects, even naturally existing ones like rocks or sticks, into thermal features is prohibited since doing so can clog vents and alter the flow and temperature of the water.
Yellowstone National Park Thermal Areas Safety Guidelines:
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.
