Yellowstone National Park is home to one of the most extraordinary collections of hydrothermal features in the world. The park contains 10,000 hydrothermal features including fumaroles, travertine terraces, hot springs, mudpots, and geysers.
Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal features in Yellowstone. Hot springs begin as rain at the surface, with the water seeping through the underlying bedrock and becoming superheated by Yellowstone’s magmatic system. An “open plumbing system” allows this hot water to rise freely back to the surface unimpeded. Convection currents constantly circulate the water, preventing it from getting hot enough to trigger an eruption.
Yellowstone’s largest hot spring is Grand Prismatic Spring which measures 200-330 feet in diameter and more than 121 feet deep. Located in the Midway Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring is an extremely popular attraction for visitors and Yellowstone has taken great lengths to preserve it for future generations with the installation of an extensive boardwalk network allowing guests to experience the fragile ecosystem without damaging it.
There is ample signage posted throughout Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas reminding guests to stay on boardwalks and trails in thermal areas and ranger will tell you that that hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature. Despite clear instructions not to walk on hot springs, some tourists decide to break park policy and risk their welfare and the preservation of these precious features like this man who was filmed trudging across Grand Prismatic Spring in broad daylight and in full view of disapproving observers.
This man was confronted by the person who took the video and he freely admitted that the act was premeditated as he had coordinated with a friend to take pictures of his blatant trespassing from a distance. The footage was shared with Park Rangers who quickly track the man down and issued him a citation.
Tourists who trespass on protected areas in Yellowstone National Park can be penalized with fines, park bans and even jail time in certain instances. If you visit Yellowstone always stay on designated paths and boardwalks to help protect the park’s sensitive features. Learn more about Yellowstone hydrothermal guidelines below:
Yellowstone National Park Hydrothermal Areas Guidelines:
Use Caution in Hydrothermal Areas
- Stay on boardwalks and designated trails.
- Hydrothermal water can severely burn you.
- Never run, push, or shove.
- Supervise children at all times.
- Do not scratch hydrothermal mats.
You are responsible for your safety.
Think safety, act safely. Yellowstone is a dangerous place.