People travel from around the world to see the thermal pools and breathtaking geysers of Yellowstone National Park, but posted signs and warnings tell everyone visiting that these landmarks are to be seen, not touched.
A woman who visited the park on September 16 learned that lesson the hard way. A 60-year-old New Hampshire resident suffered second- and third-degree burns to her lower leg while walking in a thermal area near the iconic Old Faithful geyser, according to a press release from the National Park Service. The woman stepped on a thin patch of ground and fell into the boiling water while walking on the trail with her husband and dog, the NPS reported.
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He was taken to a park medical clinic for evaluation and then airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for further treatment. The NPS says this is the first known thermal injury in Yellowstone in 2024.
“Visitors are reminded to stay on trails and paths in hydrothermal areas and to exercise extreme caution. The ground in these areas is fragile and thin, and boiling water is just below the surface,” the NPS reiterated in the statement. It also noted that pets are prohibited on trails, in thermal areas and in park countryside.
It's probably safe to say that the woman and her family will follow all the rules the next time they visit the park.