Yellowstone National Park features over 15 miles of boardwalks which serve a critical function of park’s infrastructure providing visitors a chance to connect with geothermal features while preserving their fragile ecosystems. Yellowstone’s boardwalks range from short loops under half a mile to vast networks covering several miles offering diverse experiences of Yellowstone’s 10,000+ hydrothermal features including hot springs, geysers, mudpots, travertine terraces, and fumaroles.
Yellowstone’s boardwalks require constant maintenance to conform with the ever changing landscape of ongoing thermal activity. Every year over 2,000 feet of boardwalks are moved, rebuilt, or replaced to adapt to shifting ground. Some of this work can be describe as routine upkeep and then there are cases of acute failures that require immediate response like this one caused by a bison ambling through the Norris Geyser Basin.
While Yellowstone National Park makes sure they build robustly constructed boardwalks to accommodate the enormous foot traffic created by its over 4 million annual visitors, the pressure created by North America’s largest land dwelling mammal (adult bison can weigh up to 2,200lbs) proved too much for a single plank to support.
If you plan on exploring the hydrothermal features at Yellowstone National Park remember to always 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). Learn more about Yellowstone National Park hydrothermal area safety below.
Yellowstone National Park Hydrothermal Safety Guidelines:
-Stay on all boardwalks and trails in hydrothermal areas and keep children within reach.
-Pets are not allowed in hydrothermal areas.
-Swimming or bathing is prohibited in hydrothermal pools or streams where water flows entirely from a hydrothermal source.
-Be aware that toxic gases exist in some hydrothermal areas. If you feel sick, leave the location immediately.
