Yellowstone National Park offers visitors truly exceptional opportunities to view wildlife but sometimes people end up in the wrong place at the wrong time and things can get hectic.
Yellowstone is home to the oldest and largest public bison herd in the United States, with an estimated population of 5,400 individuals as of 2024. There are many challenges to maintaining a wild, migratory population of bison in a modern landscape including keeping bison admirers safe from these animals which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run at 30mph. The first and foremost rule for bison safety at Yellowstone National Park is always maintaining at least 25 yards away from them at all times.
Yellowstone has strict regulations about getting too close to bison but in some cases encounters cannot be avoided like this one that happened on a bridge over the Yellowstone River on the Northeast Entrance Road. The couple had exited their vehicle to walk the bridge when a herd of bison came out of the trees and charged in their direction. With no other available option to avoid the approaching bison, the couple hightailed it across the bridge to safety.
With the bison fast approaching, the couple in the car considered offering the fleeing tourists safe haven in their vehicle but in the end it wasn’t necessary as they made it off the bridge just in the nick of time. If you are planning on visiting Yellowstone National Park please remember to abide by park wildlife safety policies. The safety of the animals, as well as visitor safety, depends on visitors following the simple commonsense rules laid out by Yellowstone. Learn more staying safe around bison 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.
