Every summer millions of tourists pour through the gates of Yellowstone National Park to experience the incredible natural wonders of America’s oldest National Park. From the sweeping landscapes of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone to iconic geothermal areas like Old Faithful, there is much to explore. While hiking is a great option to make a visceral connection with Yellowstone’s pristine ecosystems, many of these visitors opt to tour the park from the comfort of their vehicles.
Of all the large mammals that roam Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, bison are among the most common species that can be observed from the park’s 347 miles of paved roadways. Getting up close and personal with one of North America’s largest land mammals can be as easy as pulling over your car and rolling down the window but some decide to take it a step further and disregard park policies about approaching wildlife.
The following footage was captured during a spring day in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley and shows a group of tourists who correctly used a designated pullout to park their minivan but ended up breaking Yellowstone protocols when they exited the vehicle to snap photos.
Yellowstone park rangers eventually showed up to the scene and reprimanded the tourists who followed their instructions to return to the safety of their vehicles. Thankfully no one was injured. It should be noted that although bison may seem like docile lumbering wooly cows, they are in fact responsible for injuring more people at Yellowstone than any other animal.
With males weighing in at over 2,000 pounds and capable of speeds up to 35mph, bison are surprisingly agile and can become aggressive in a split second when provoked. The best way to stay safe around bison is maintain a minimum 25 yards away at all times. Learn more about bison safety at Yellowstone National Park below.
Yellowstone Bison Safety Guidelines:
Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans. Always stay at least 25 yards (23 m) away from bison.
- Give bison space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity. 
- Approaching bison threatens them, and they may respond by bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, or snorting. These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent.
- Do not stand your ground. Immediately walk or run away from the animal. Spray bear spray as you are moving away if the animal follows you.