A 17-year-old hiker has suffered significant burns while walking in a thermal area of Yellowstone National Park.

According to a news release by the National Park Service, the unidentified male hiker was in the vicinity of Lone Star Geyser near Old Faithful on the morning of Monday, July 28, when the incident occurred.

"His foot broke through the thin crust and he suffered burns to a lower extremity. Emergency medical staff responded and transported the patient to a hospital for further treatment," states the NPS.

This is the first known thermal injury in Yellowstone in 2025, though there have been many incidents of tourists sustaining severe burns by getting too close to thermal features at the Wyoming park.

The Park Service doesn't mention whether the teenager was hiking off the boardwalks, which have been put in place to protect visitors, saying only that the incident remains under investigation. They did take the opportunity to remind all park visitors to remain on boardwalks and to keep a good distance from all thermal pools and geysers. If you're planning on visiting the park this year, you can learn more in our article on hot spring safety at Yellowstone.

Lone Star Geyser erupts up to 45 feet (13.7 m) from a 12-foot (3.6 m) cone approximately every three hours.

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Scientists at Yellowstone National Park have uncovered a large, underground magma cap that is likely crucial to containing one of Earth's largest volcanic systems.

Hidden 2.4 miles (3.8km) beneath Yellowstone's northeast caldera, the cap acts as a lid for the intense heat and pressure below it, which could otherwise cause large-scale eruptions.

Its discovery paints a vivid picture of the magma reservoir beneath Yellowstone's surface and offers insight into how it's likely to behave.

Geologists at Rice University uncovered the cap using a 53,000lb (24,040kg) vibroseis truck, which sent small seismic waves into the ground to map beneath the surface. They revealed their findings in a paper published in Nature.

"For decades, we’ve known there’s magma beneath Yellowstone, but the exact depth and structure of its upper boundary has been a big question," co-author Professor Brandon Schmandt said in a statement.

"What we’ve found is that this reservoir hasn’t shut down - it’s been sitting there for a couple million years, but it’s still dynamic."

Magma activity in underground volcanic systems can cause gases like water and carbon dioxide to form bubbles, which can accumulate and fuel dangerous eruptions.

Thankfully, the research indicates that this isn't the case at Yellowstone.

"Its bubble and melt contents are below the levels typically associated with imminent eruption,” Schmandt continued.

“Instead, it looks like the system is efficiently venting gas through cracks and channels between mineral crystals, which makes sense to me given Yellowstone’s abundant hydrothermal features emitting magmatic gases.”

Located beneath the bubbling hot springs and geysers of America's oldest national park, the ancient Yellowstone caldera is one of the largest volcanic systems on Earth. Any eruption would be catastrophic, covering the surrounding 1,000 miles (1,609km) in multiple feet of molten ash.

It last erupted more than 640,000 years ago, spraying over 240 cubic miles (1000km³) of molten rock, dust, and volcanic ash into the atmosphere and wrecking the existing habitat.

Scientists at the Yellowstone Volcanic Observatory have previously said an eruption is unlikely in the near future.

In February, chief scientist Dr. Michael Poland used the metaphor of a boiling pot of water to describe Yellowstone's volcanic activity to KPAX-TV.

“If you know how hot the burner is, how much water there is, that calculation is possible. Well, right now for Yellowstone, the burner's not on," said Poland.

"I think that's also a reassuring bit that, you know, the stove isn't on in Yellowstone. So we're not worried about a volcanic event there in the near future. It would take a while for the water to get to boiling."

More than four million people visit Yellowstone National Park each year to hike, camp, and climb in the stunning North American wilderness.

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The bears are waking up at Yellowstone National Park. Earlier this month, staff observed the first bear tracks of 2025, signaling the beginning of spring at America's oldest national park.

Unmistakable, large grizzly bear prints were observed in the northern part of the park on March 9.

The next day, local wildlife organization Jackson Hole Eco Tours posted a video to Instagram, filmed by one of their guides, showing a female black bear emerging from hibernation with several sleepy cubs.

Hibernation usually lasts three to four months. Most bears in the region shack up for the winter from mid-November to early December, depending on the weather and food availability.

Bears hibernate to combat their limited food options in the winter. While they may occasionally wake up, they seldom eat or drink during the dark winter months.

As a result, they emerge ravenously hungry, ready to feast on animal carcasses and berries that appear as the March snow melts.

How to stay safe

Although the chances of a bear attack are slim, they still kill between two and five people each year in North America, so it's important to stay safe.

If you're planning a trek through bear country in Yellowstone National Park, check out our top tips for avoiding danger.

Avoid a bear attack in the first place

• Stick to established trails - The safest way to deal with bears is to avoid them altogether. Most bears want to be left alone by humans so rarely stray onto established trails. They can usually be avoided altogether if you stick to established routes.
• Hike in groups - Hiking in large groups can deter bears. They'll be able to see, smell, and hear you coming, so are more likely to leave the area.

• If you encounter a bear, remain calm and remember it does not want to attack you. Speak in a loud, steady voice and slowly wave your arms, so the bear knows you're not a prey animal and to make yourself appear as big as possible.
• Do not run - Running may trigger a bear's predatory instincts, identifying you as a dangerous threat. Adult bears can run at speeds of up to 30mph (48kmph), covering 110 yards (100 meters) in only seven seconds, so you've got no chance of outpacing one.

What to do if a brown or grizzly bear attacks

Advice on how to interact with grizzly and brown and black bears differs in the unlucky circumstance of an attack.

If the worst-case scenario comes true, and you're attacked by a brown or grizzly bear, the best thing you can do is play dead.

Lay flat on your stomach with hands clasped around your neck and legs spread. This will signal that you’re not a threat and will make it harder for the bear to turn you over.

Only fight back when absolutely necessary.

What do to if a black bear attacks

If you're attacked by a black bear, try to escape to a secure shelter like a building or car. Do not play dead.

If you're unable to escape, fight back by attacking the bear's face with whatever you can find around you. If you have bear spray, this is the time to use it. This toxic spray releases a cloud of capsaicin vapor, which is extremely irritating to a bear's senses.

For more bear safety tips, check out our expert guide to staying safe in bear country.

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The National Park Service has announced that a record-breaking number of visitors came to America’s national parks last year.

In 2024, a whopping 331,863,358 people visited the 63 national parks to camp, trail run, and hike in the idyllic North American wilderness. This record number beats the previous high of 330,971,689, which was set in 2016, and is more than 6 million higher than the 2023 total.

The annual visitation data also lists the stats for individual parks. Last year, 28, including California's Sequoia National Park, hosted a record number of visitors.

Once again, the sprawling Great Smoky Mountains National Park claimed the top spot for the most visitors. 12.1 million people traveled to the south eastern park in 2024 to experience its dazzling scenery and miles of rugged hiking trails.

The top ten most visited U.S. national parks in 2024

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 12.1 million visitors
• Zion National Park - 4.9 million visitors
• Grand Canyon National Park - 4.9 million 
• Yellowstone National Park - 4.7 million 
• Rocky Mountain National Park - 4.1 million 
• Yosemite National Park - 4.1 million 
• Acadia National Park - 3.9 million 
• Olympic National Park - 3.7 million 
• Grand Teton National Park - 3.6 million 
• Glacier National Park - 3.2 million 

The record numbers come as anger intensifies over mass cuts to the National Park Service, which oversees and maintains the parks.

In the past few months, an estimated 2,000 temporary workers have had job offers rescinded while many more have been sacked or taken redundancy following mass federal cuts by the Trump administration.

Although the administration has rowed back slightly on temporary worker cuts, thousands who'd previously held temporary and full-time positions are now without work, leaving the parks potentially understaffed and unprepared for the busy summer season.

In response, former park workers and angry locals have rallied at protests up and down the country, demanding an end to the cuts.

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Yellowstone National Park is at a greater risk of wildfires than previously thought, according to a new report.

Forest Ecology researchers at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, assessed the park's vulnerability to wildfires due to standing dead trees, which pose an increased threat of blazes.

The study explains: "With increasingly dry and hot conditions, dead timber on a landscape increases the probability that a fire will occur."

They discovered that many flammable standing dead trees were clustered in popular areas in the park, and around the roadways which cut through it. Should a sizeable wildfire occur, much of the park's infrastructure would be at immediate risk.

The researchers compiled their findings from NASA satellite imagery and ground studies conducted at the park.

Dr. Mehmet Ozdes, who co-authored the report has warned that Yellowstone officials desperately need to address its findings.

He tells Montana News station KBZK: "What we didn't fully anticipate, for example, was the scale of infrastructure exposed and in specific locations where this danger is most pronounced. We need more investment in fire mitigation strategies.

"This means things like fire resistance, buildings, materials, more accessible evacuation roads.”

Minor wildfires are not uncommon in the park, which draws over four million visitors each year. On average, the park has 20 to 25 fires each year, most of which are caused by lightning strikes.

The last major spell of wildfires was in 1988 when an extremely dry summer spurred fires that burned almost 800,000 acres, equalling 36% of Yellowstone's wilderness. Over $120 million was spent fighting the fires which eventually came to an end following rain and snowfall that September.

Wildfires in the park can also be caused by humans and sometimes begin with simple acts like discarding a cigarette or leaving flammable camping equipment behind. If you're visiting Yellowstone or another National Park, make sure to practice wildfire safety and extinguish campfires properly.

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People visiting national parks in the US could face "overflowing trash, uncleaned bathrooms, and fewer rangers" this summer after a hiring freeze by the Trump administration.

That's the claim of the National Parks Conservation Association, which says the move has left park jobs in jeopardy.

Thousands of summer workers who run America's 63 national parks have had their job offers rescinded, according to the NPCA, an independent organization that advocates for national parks and conservation issues.

Each year, the National Parks Service hires an army of temporary workers to help manage the nation's wilderness areas through the busy summer months. About 8,000 seasonal workers provide varying essential services from fee collection to search and rescue coordination.

But last month, their future was thrown into doubt when US President Donald Trump signed an executive order stopping all new hiring of federal employees.

The same day, then Secretary of the Interior Walter Cruickshank signed a secretarial order exempting seasonal employees from the freeze.

However, despite the exemption, reports continue of seasonal workers being told they no longer have job offers. The NPCA claims that roughly 2,000 seasonal workers have had offers rescinded amid confusion over the hiring freeze.

In addition, permanent employees have been given the option to resign from their current posts and receive payment until the end of September 2025.

The Trump administration also ordered the NPS to declare all employees who haven't completed their one-year probationary period, as well as those employed with money from the Inflation Reduction Act, or thanks to programs related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

These measures come at a bad time for the National Park Service, which has lost 20% of its staff since 2010, while visits to America's national parks have simultaneously increased by 16%.

More than 300 million people visit national parks every year to hike, camp, and run in the unspoiled North American wilderness.

Kristen Brengel, the NPCA’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, believes fewer workers will mean a worse experience for visitors.

“Visitors from around the world come to our national parks expecting a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but instead could be met with overflowing trash, uncleaned bathrooms, and fewer rangers to provide guidance," she said on the NCPA website.

"These are not the memories we want people to take away from their experience at our parks.”

Advnture has approached National Parks Service for comment.

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The Yellowstone super-volcano is unlikely to erupt anytime soon, according to scientists at the Yellowstone Volcanic Observatory.

They’ve determined that current conditions aren't right for a major eruption, although sizable seismic activity can be expected in the coming decades.

Located beneath the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park, the ancient Yellowstone caldera is one of the largest volcanic systems on Earth. Any hypothetical eruption would be catastrophic, covering the surrounding 1,000 miles / 1,609km in multiple feet of molten ash.

Describing Yellowstone's chances of eruption to KPAX-TV, Dr. Michael Poland, Chief Scientist at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, used the metaphor of a boiling pot of water.

“If you know how hot the burner is, how much water there is, that calculation is possible. Well, right now for Yellowstone, the burner's not on," said Poland.

"I think that's also a reassuring bit that, you know, the stove isn't on in Yellowstone. So we're not worried about a volcanic event there in the near future. It would take a while for the water to get to boiling."

Poland and his fellow scientists monitor Yellowstone's chances of eruption by tracking electronic currents flowing deep within the Earth.

This data allows the team to map the locations of magma pools beneath Yellowstone's surface. These pools of molten rock are disconnected and lack a deeper source of magma, so cannot fuel a sizeable volcanic eruption.

“In order to mobilize it to really feed a consequential volcanic eruption, you would need to re-melt some of that," Poland explained.

While volcanic eruptions are unlikely, Yellowstone remains at risk of earthquakes due to its location on the Intermountain Seismic Belt, a zone of high seismic activity.

Only last week, a 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit near the 150,000-year-old Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone's oldest and hottest area. The ancient park experiences about 2,000 earthquakes each year. Most are rated 2 and under on the Richter scale, and cannot be felt by people.

Yellowstone is the oldest National Park in the world. Situated largely in the western state of Wyoming, this vast, scenic park boasts millions of acres of pristine wilderness and rugged Rocky Mountain terrain.

More than four million people visit the park each year to hike, camp, and climb in the stunning North American wilderness.

Yellowstone last erupted over 640,000 years ago, spraying over 240 cubic miles / ,1000km³ of molten rock, dust, and volcanic ash into the atmosphere and wrecking the existing habitat.

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A historic area in Yellowstone National Park has been shaken by an earthquake.

The 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit near Mammoth, Wyoming, close to the ancient Norris Geyser Basin at about 6pm MST on Tuesday (January 28), prompting residents to report shaking.

Earthquakes of this size aren't unusual for Yellowstone, due to its proximity to the Intermountain Seismic Belt, a region of high seismic activity.

"The earthquake is typical of the Yellowstone region and not a sign of any significant unrest, and it was reported felt by a few people in the Yellowstone region," said the U.S. Geological Survey via a Facebook post.

Scientists rate earthquake impacts using a magnitude scale. Quakes with a magnitude under four are classified as minor, posing little risk to human life.

Yellowstone National Park experiences about 2,000 earthquakes each year. Most are rated 2 and under, and therefore can't be felt by people.

At 150,000 years old, Norris Geyser Basin is Yellowstone's hottest and oldest geothermal area. It's home to the tallest geyser in the world, Steamboat, which sprays hot water over 300ft / 90m into the air.

The hottest temperature ever recorded at Yellowstone, 459°F / 237°C, was measured in a drill hole 1,087ft / 331m below the surface at Norris. The area has multiple several geothermal features as it sits on the intersection between two rock faults.

Norris Geyser Basin is very popular with hikers and tourists alike, who come to marvel at the ancient geyser.

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The state of Montana is suing the iconic Yellowstone National Park over its plan to increase the number of bison in and around the park.

Loved by hikers and climbers alike, the 3,472 square-mile park wants to boost its sizeable bison population and increase tolerance for the animals leaving Yellowstone to roam around the surrounding area.

Specifically, the new plan directs wildlife managers to aim for herds of 3,500 to 6,000 animals, a slight increase over the previous target, established 20 years ago. It also calls for expanded bison hunting and establishes several structural changes to the ways in which the animals are managed.

Critics at the Montana state government have blasted the plan as ‘over-reaching’, asking the US District Board to halt its implementation and send planners back to the drawing board in a new lawsuit.

“The National Park Service has repeatedly and consistently failed to engage with the state in a meaningful and transparent manner,” argued Montana governor Greg Gianforte.

“NPS has not given us a fair shake and has ignored concerns raised by the state.”

Those against the latest plan are especially concerned about its impact on Montana livestock. Bison in Yellowstone are currently confined to the park boundaries due to concerns that they may spread brucellosis, a bacterial infection that can cause cattle to abort unborn calves.

Alongside greater freedom to roam, the new plan would drop a bison vaccination program, established 25 years ago to protect against brucellosis. Critics fear that these moves would put Montana domestic livestock at an increased risk.

Testing reveals that roughly 60% of female Yellowstone bison have been exposed to brucella bacteria. However, experts estimate that only 10% to 15% are capable of transmitting it to other animals.

Recent research also suggests that Yellowstone bison are extremely unlikely to transmit the infection to cattle. As noted in the latest plan, there’s not been a single recorded case of bison-to-cattle brucellosis transmission since the year 2000, while elk have been responsible for at least 25 transmissions in that time.

Alongside livestock concerns, Montana’s 51-page lawsuit takes aim at Yellowstone’s plans to increase the number of bison transferred to tribal governments and accuses officials of rushing through the planning process.

Those in support of Yellowstone’s plan appear puzzled by the lawsuit.

“Governor Gianforte is aiming to significantly reduce the bison population so very few, if any, remain to migrate onto millions of acres of national forest habitat,” Buffalo Field Campaign habitat coordinator Darrel Geist told the Montana Free Press.

“It’s about the state exerting control over Yellowstone National Park and diminishing the most significant population of wild bison population remaining in the United States.”

Michelle Uberuaga of the National Parks Conservation Association was equally unimpressed.

“The park’s plan balanced many competing interests and the state of Montana had ample opportunity to provide input,” she told the Montana Free Press.

Yellowstone’s disputed plan was developed over a year and a half and included a public consultation phase in which 27,000 people commented on it.

Just 3% of Yellowstone National Park is located in Montana. 96% of the ancient park is in Wyoming and a further 1% in Idaho.

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With the new year fast approaching, the National Parks Service has announced its six free admission days for 2025, when visitors can experience the stunning natural beauty of America’s finest wild spaces free of charge.

These free admissions days apply to some of the country’s best and biggest national parks, such as Californian gem Yosemite and the 3,471 square mile / 8,991 km2 Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

A standard daily pass to these parks usually costs $20, while annual passes can cost as much as $70, with discounts for military personnel and senior citizens.

Following the US public holiday schedule, the free admissions days are as follows.

• January 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 19 – First Day of National Park Week
• June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
• August 4 – Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day
• September 27 – National Public Lands Day
• November 11 – Veterans Day

With parks dotted around every state, there will be plenty of opportunities to experience the American wilderness for free next year.

Alongside public holidays, several less popular parks are free to visit all year round.

Spanning 120.3 square miles / 311.6 km2 of rugged Nevada backcountry, the iconic Great Basin National Park is always free to visit, as is the ancient forest of California’s Redwood National Park.

If remote desert is more your thing, the desolate Death Valley National Park is free to enter at all times, although best avoided during the day due to its unforgiving landscape and soaring temperatures.

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In Yellowstone National Park, signs everywhere tell hikers not to leave the boardwalk near thermal hot springs. But what could be the harm in straying just a little to get closer to these natural wonders? Quite a bit, as one Colorado man recently learned when he was slapped with jail time and a hefty fine for this common blunder.

According to the United States Attorney's Office District of Wyoming, Joseph Aita, 62, entered the protected area of Canary Spring in Mammoth Hot Springs with co-defendant Celia Aita and two children – the same area where Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan was caught trespassing a year ago.

Leaving the boardwalk is prohibited, according to Yellowstone's regulations and on October 31, Aita pleaded guilty to the violation. In response, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick handed him seven days of jail time. He also pled guilty to the charge of destroying a mineral resource in the park, which earned him a $3,000 fine and five years of probation, during which time he will be banned from entering the park. Attorney's Office has not released details on his co-defendant at this time.

No other details about the nature of the offense were given, but it could be an indication that the Attorney's Office is becoming more heavy-handed in its punishments for such violations, which are extremely common in the park.

Earlier this year, Brosnan was ordered to pay a comparatively light fine of $500 and make a further donation of $1,000 to Yellowstone Forever, a non-profit organization that supports the park. Then this summer, Viktor Pyshniuk of Lynwood, Washington was sentenced to seven days in jail for thermal trespass at Steamboat Geyser with two years of probation and a two-year ban from Yellowstone.

In that case, the same judge delivered the sentence, telling the defendant that the sentence was designed to deter him and the public from leaving the boardwalk in this area. Acting United States Attorney Eric Heimann said: “Trespassing in closed, thermal areas of Yellowstone National Park is dangerous and harms the natural resource.”

“In cases like this one where we have strong evidence showing a person has willfully disregarded signs and entered a closed, thermal area, federal prosecutors will seek significant penalties, including jail time.”

Why can't I leave the boardwalk at Yellowstone?

Wanting to get closer to remarkable sights is human nature, but doing so could land you in a lot more hot water than jail time. A hot spring may look like the bubbling hot tub back at your vacation condo, but it's actually warmed by the furnace otherwise known as the earth’s interior.

If you’ve read up on Yellowstone fascinating facts, you’ll recall that the entire place is a volcano – and its hot springs achieve a scorching temperature of nearly 200°F at the source, with steam vents up to 275°F according to the US Geological Survey.

Thermal springs in Yellowstone are unpredictable in nature and surrounded by possible weak ground layers. Boardwalks are in place to protect you from serious injury or worse, as well as the precious ecosystem the National Park was established to preserve. Staying on the trail could save your life and helps encourage other hikers to do the same.

If you're planning on a visit to Yellowstone National Park, read our article on hot spring safety before you go, and stay on the trail.

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If you've been procrastinating on packing up your hiking boots and getting to Yellowstone National Park this year, you'd better hurry – the famous National Park closes most of its roads to drivers on Thursday, October 31.

With the park already blanketed in snow last weekend and more snow forecast early next week, there's no doubt that winter conditions are here. After Thursday, the west, south and east entrances and nearly all roads will be closed to regular vehicle traffic to give park officials time to prepare for winter season, which begins on December 15.

The only roads that will remain open are between the north entrance in Gardiner and the northeast entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate.

If you plan to visit the park this weekend, the forecast looks good but check the weather forecast and road conditions before you set off. The National Park warns you to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions and to be flexible in your plans.

Of course, you can continue to visit Yellowstone through the winter months, but only if want to rent a snowmobile or explore on cross country skis or snowshoes.

Most of the roads transform into ski and snowshoe trails, which are supplemented by practically endless backcountry options so long as you’re experienced in backcountry snow sports. Another option is to take a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour with one of dozens of local companies.

If you are planning to explore the park without a guide, we recommend doing so with backcountry experience and gear. Carry a satellite communicator such as a Garmin InReach and know how to dress for winter hiking.

The west entrance normally reopens for vehicle travel and visitors at the end of April. The east entrance usually opens two weeks later and the south entrance at the end of May. All road openings are subject to conditions.

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Yellowstone National Park got its first snowfall of the season this weekend - a sure fire sign that winter is well and truly approaching. Visitors were surprised to see snowfall across the 3,472 square mile park, blanketing its iconic mountains and valleys.

With winter fast approaching, it’s crucial that hikers have all the right gear and information to continue braving the backcountry, safely and enjoyably in harsher weather. Here are our three key things to consider when preparing for a winter hike.

Appropriate footwear

The key to a good pair of winter hiking boots is versatility. Your chosen pair should be just as comfortable and secure tackling thick snow as they are on the odd sunny day on dry trails. This considered, picking the right pair for winter can be a tricky task.

Durability is a key factor. Taking on the winter weather, your boots are sure to go through the ringer, so picking a reliable pair, which will keep your feet warm and dry over the winter season is essential.

It’s also important to consider how much traction you’ll need. Most hiking boots feature sizable lugs to grip onto uneven surfaces. But if you're thinking of heading up mountains and negotiating thick snow and ice, it’s worth getting a pair with crampon compatibility.

In our guide to the best winter hiking boots, we rated the Scarpa Manta Tech GTX as our favorite winter hiking boot. A comfortable, protective option, these boots are often referred to as the ‘benchmark’ for winter hiking boots, and commonly worn by mountain rescue and other outdoor professionals.

Keeping warm and dry

Keeping warm in the backcountry is crucial to a safe and enjoyable hike. Depending on your location, you may have to layer up in order to stay toasty.

Best paired with a fleece or down jacket for additional warmth, the right waterproof jacket will keep you snug and dry on the wet, cold winter hikes. For the best insulation, we recommend the Mount Si Down Waterproof Parka from Columbia.

For milder climates, a lightweight softshell jacket can be sufficient for the winter months. Soft-shells are a reliable option on days you’re unlikely to face a deluge, but still want to keep warm. Warm and reliable options like the Montane Dyno LT are a great choice for chilly winter treks.

Alongside the right jacket, appropriate hiking pants, a snug pair of gloves and an insulating hiking hat are amongst the other items that can keep you warm on the winter trails.

For more recommendations on the best kit to keep you warm and dry this winter, check out our waterproof jacket and softshell jacket buying guides.

Taking precautions

The backcountry can be a treacherous place in all seasons, but many dangers are exacerbated in winter, when tougher conditions increase the likelihood of accidents and emergencies. So hikers should always consider the risks before hitting the winter trails.

Checking the weather forecast is non-negotiable. Check as close to your hike as possible, at the specific location you’ll be trekking through, not a nearby town or general area.

Ensure you have ample supplies for the journey ahead. If embarking on a particularly long trek, make sure you’re prepared with enough food, water and basic medical supplies to maintain your energy and stay safe.

In the event of an emergency, make sure you’re prepared with a way of contacting emergency services. The most reliable emergency tech are satellite communicators, which allow injured or lost hikers to send SOS signals and location details regardless of how remote their location is. The Garmin InReach messenger Plus, for example, allows users to send images and voice recordings from signal-less summits and call for help in remote locations.

This tech can be life saving. More than 10,000 people have called for emergency support using a Garmin InReach device in the past decade. Just last month, a Canadian hiker who had been mauled by a bear was rescued thanks to his InReach communicator.

For more on how to prepare for winter hiking, read our ‘7 tips for hitting the trails when the days get shorter’, and ‘9 common winter hiking mistakes you really want to avoid’.

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A missing hiker who disappeared after climbing a mountain in Yellowstone National Park a month ago left a note at the summit detailing the harrowing journey he took to get there.

As we previously reported, 22-year-old Austin King was last heard from on Tuesday, September 17 when he called friends and family from the summit of Eagle Peak in a remote section of the park. King had been working as a concession employee in the park and the peak had been part of a seven-day backcountry backpacking trip where he had met with stormy weather.

In voicemails to friends and family from the summit, King described experiencing fog, rain, sleet, hail and windy conditions from the summit. He was reported three days later when he failed to arrive for his boat pickup on Yellowstone Lake.

King's disappearance prompted a large-scale search and rescue effort in the high mountain area, but after 11 days of intense searching, the National Park Service announced that the mission had moved from a rescue effort to a recovery effort.

Now, with winter weather on the way and snow forecast for this week, King's father has organized one more search effort and shared a note that his son left at the summit with Cowboy State Daily.

In the note left in the summit registry, King describes the treacherous conditions he overcame to reach the summit, writing:

“I can’t feel my fingers and my glasses are so fogged from the ruthless weather of the mountains. I truly cannot believe I am here after what it took to be here. I endured rain, sleet, hail and the most wind I have ever felt.”

He says that he could not see the mountain he was climbing for most of the day due to dense fog which led him off the correct trail.

“I free soloed too many cliffs to get here and walked up to the peak from the connecting peak – AKA not the right path."

Immediately following his disappearance, the NPS reported that search crews were experiencing accumulations of snow and ice and six-foot drifts on Eagle Peak, and it was unclear whether King was prepared for winter conditions, though descriptions had him in a black sweatshirt and gray pants.

King signs his note triumphantly at 6 p.m. writing "I will never forget today (for) the rest of my life. Life is beautiful, got out and LIVE IT!” Within an hour, he would have been in darkness.

King is described as 6-foot tall, weighing 160 lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing glasses, a black sweatshirt and gray pants. Park officials are appealing to anyone who was traveling in the area and think they may have seen King to get in touch with the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at (307) 344 2643.

Backcountry safety

Backcountry backpacking trips can be some of the best adventures you can have in the wild, but it's important to be prepared with the following safety procedures, especially if you plan to hike alone:

• Research your route properly and carry navigational aids such as a map and compass, as well as GPS devices.
• Always tell some where you are going, and leave detailed plans including your route and timings.
• Check the mountain weather forecast using a reliable weather app, and avoid high elevation areas if there is rain, fog or high winds in the forecast.
• Carry a satellite communicator such as a Garmin InReach so that you can signal for help even if there is no cell service.
• Pack the hiking essentials, including a first aid kit, water and extra layers.
• Wear proper hiking boots or shoes with good traction.

Finally, always hiking within your ability level, know when to turn back and even have a Plan B in mind for when the weather doesn't play ball with your plans.

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Two proposed wildlife overpasses in Yellowstone National Park, designed to minimize animal collisions, are moving forward after receiving funding government funding.

In the works for four years already, the overpasses would provide a safe way for animals to cross over a highway near Yellowstone’s Dome Mountain, an area of frequent animal collisions. Between 2012 and 2021, there were 74 reported instances of wildlife being hit by vehicles and 149 animal carcasses found in the five mile stretch between Livingstone and Gardiner, where the proposed overpasses would be.

Surrounded by public land and forests, the five mile stretch is a common spot for animal crossings, and with lots of crossings come lots of collisions. In the past decade, elk, deer and even a grizzly bear have been killed, with 50% of all crashes there involving an animal. Supporters hope that the two new overpasses will all but eliminate these accidents.

“When successfully implemented, wildlife crossing structures and the fencing that accompanies them can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by more than 90 percent,” conservationist Blakeley Adkins, told Newsweek. “They keep wildlife alive, their migratory pathways viable, and our families safe.”

Championed by ‘Yellowstone Safe Passages’, a coalition of non-profit organizations, the overpass project has received state funding for a feasibility study, which will determine whether or not the project can ultimately go ahead.

If successful, the project will need to secure an estimated additional $35 million in construction funding, which is likely to take place in around a year or so. Despite the lengthy process, the YSP are hopeful that the overpasses will begin construction in the next two years. If all goes smoothly, the new overpass could be completed and in use by 2027.

“YSP is set up for success,” Adkins said via the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. “Progress is slow but we are ready to clear this next hurdle and keep going until we get to the finish line.”

Animal collisions in Yellowstone have increased in recent years as more and more people visit the ancient park. Last year alone, Yellowstone welcomed 4.5 million visitors, a whopping 36% increase on the previous year.

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Officials at Yellowstone National Park have launched an urgent appeal after one of their employees disappeared while hiking a mountain in stormy weather in a remote section of the park. 

According to a news release from the National Park Service, Austin King, 22, was last heard from on Tuesday, September 17, when he called friends and family from the summit of Eagle Peak in the southeast corner of Yellowstone. The report states that King is working as a concession employee in the park and the peak had been part of a seven-day backcountry backpacking trip. 

He reportedly described experiencing fog, rain, sleet, hail and windy conditions from the summit, and was reported overdue on Friday afternoon when he failed to arrive for his boat pickup on Yellowstone Lake. A search and rescue effort launched the following morning in the high mountain areas of Eagle Peak and surrounding areas. Rescuers discovered King’s camp and personal belongings Saturday evening in the upper Howell Creek area. According to an update from the NPS, searchers are reporting accumulations of snow and ice and six-foot drifts on Eagle Peak.

King is described as 6-foot tall, weighing 160 lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing glasses, a black sweatshirt and gray pants. Park officials have released an information poster which you can view below with two photographs of King. They are appealing to anyone who was traveling in the area and think they may have seen King to get in touch with the Yellowstone Interagency Communications Center at (307) 344 2643.

Backcountry safety

Backcountry backpacking trips can be some of the best adventures you can have in the wild, but it's important to be prepared with the following safety procedures, especially if you plan to hike alone:

• Always tell some where you are going, and leave detailed plans including your route and timings.
• Check the mountain weather forecast using a reliable weather app, and avoid high elevation areas if there is rain, fog or high winds in the forecast.
• Carry a satellite communicator such as a Garmin InReach so that you can signal for help even if there is no cell service.
• Pack the hiking essentials, including a first aid kit, water and extra layers.
• Wear proper hiking boots or shoes with good traction.

Finally, always hiking within your ability level, know when to turn back and even have a Plan B in mind for when the weather doesn't play ball with your plans.

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A formerly missing cat has returned home after traveling almost 900 miles / 1448km from Yellowstone National Park to California. 

‘Rayne Beau’ had scurried into the dense Yellowstone wilderness in early June, spooked by something on a camping trip with his owners. Despite days of searching, Benny and Susanne Anguiano were unable to track down their adventurous pet, fearing the worst as they returned home. 

Yet just two months later, the Anguianos were reunited with Rayne after he was miraculously found in Roseville. Seemingly unaided, the mischievous feline had managed to trek to the California town where he was rescued by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Despite the gargantuan length of his trip, the Anguianos, who are now nursing Rayne back to health from their home in Salinas, California, believe their determined feline made the trip without human help.

“I believe truly that he made that trek mostly on his own," Mrs Aguiano told Associated Press. “His paws were really beat up. He lost 40% of his body weight, had really low protein levels because of inadequate nutrition. So he was not cared for.”

Unable to attempt any more great escapes, Rayne has now been fitted with a GPS global tracker and will presumably be practicing camping in the garden before embarking on any more grand adventures.

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A hiker in Yellowstone National Park was airlifted to hospital on Monday afternoon after sustaining third-degree burns while walking off-trail at one of the park's most popular thermal areas.

According to a news release from the National Park Service, the 60-year-old park visitor was walking with her husband and dog near Mallard Lake Trailhead at Old Faithful. Dogs are not permitted in thermal areas of the park, and boardwalks are in place to keep visitors safe. However, the trio left the trail and the woman "broke through a thin crust over scalding water and suffered burns to her leg."

The woman reportedly suffered second and third-degree burns to her lower leg in the incident. The husband and dog were not injured. The incident is currently under investigation with no further details given.

Though we have reported on hikers getting too close to the hot springs in the past – including that notorious Pierce Brosnan incident  – this is the first known thermal injury in Yellowstone in 2024. Nonetheless, officials took the opportunity to remind park visitors of some important safety protocols.

"Stay on boardwalks and trails in hydrothermal areas and exercise extreme caution. The ground in these areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface."

Hot springs safety

Yellowstone is home to some 500 erupting hot springs, known as geysers, the most famous of which is Old Faithful, which has erupted every 44 minutes to two hours since 2000. 

A bubbling pool might not look that different to the hot tub back at your cabin, but the reality is something else altogether. Your hot tub is probably around 100°F, which feels super toasty after a long day of hiking or cross country skiing, but is actually only a degree or three warmer than your normal body temperature.

A hot spring is warmed by the furnace otherwise known as the earth’s interior. If you’ve read up on Yellowstone fascinating facts, you’ll recall that the entire place is a volcano and its hot springs achieve a scorching temperature of nearly 200°F at the source, with steam vents up to 275°F according to the US Geological Survey.

Getting too close to hot springs can result in serious injury or death. It's important to stick to the designated trail, don't try dipping even a finger in, and if you drop your phone or anything else into the geyser, just wave it goodbye. Learn more in our article on hot spring safety at Yellowstone National Park.

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Bison-created traffic jams are nothing new in Yellowstone, but this great little vid adds an extra dimension of entertainment. Because in this case it’s a gang of bikers who’re being held up by herd of the slow moving beasts, and made even better by a slightly nervous-sounding commentary: “We’re now in the middle of this mess. We’re surrounded.”

And also – it’s a very big herd of bison.

Amazingly, the vid – even though it was shot in Yellowstone National Park – didn’t come from our usual source for wild animal encounters, Tourons of Yellowstone. Though, to be fair, although one biker does get a little close at one point, no one actually appears to be acting like a touron here – they appear to manage as best and safely as they can under the circumstances.

The vid was posted to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Facebook group last month by Cindy Bartlett, who we assume is the person providing the commentary (“Super sketchy! I don’t like this!”) and comes your way via Outdoors.com.

Bison don’t exactly lust for human blood and they’re certainly not predators, but they’re known as unpredictable beasts that can stampede without provocation and charge at people, gore them and toss them up into the air. Like many animals, they attack when they feel threatened, so under certain circumstances, they do pose a danger to humans.

The best thing to do is keep your distance, but you can read more about bison and avoiding being gored by one here.

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Yellowstone National Park officials have issued a warning for visitors to stay away from bull elk during fall mating season, which is now in full swing.

Their language of love is not the same as ours – no whispering sweet nothings or taking the softly, softly approach. They are unpredictable and much more aggressive during this time of year – they can run quickly and may change direction without warning.

Attacks can be unprovoked and unpredictable and officials have reminded visitors that they are responsible for their own safety. They suggest following this advice:

• Always keep at least 25 yards (23m), or the length of two full-sized buses, from elk.
• If an elk approaches you, back away immediately.
• Look around corners before exiting buildings or walking around blind spots.
  
  And if an elk charges or runs towards you:
  
• Find shelter in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible.
• If nearby shelter is not available, run away.

What not to do

Despite advice, these tourists were filmed blocking the path of a bull elk as it tried to cross the road at Yellowstone.

Officials understand that visitors want mementoes of their trip and have offered the following recommendations for taking photos:

• Give them room, use your zoom.
• Never approach or pursue animals to take their picture.
• Lenses with focal lengths of 300mm or greater are recommended for adequate reach.

Learn more in our guide, how to enjoy elk rutting season safely.

Visit the National Park Service website for information on planning your visit.

A massive hydrothermal explosion near Old Faithful yesterday (July 22) that shut down parts of Yellowstone was caught on camera by a visitor to the National Park – and it looks apocalyptic.

The footage shows tourists fleeing the boardwalk at Biscuit Basin with the huge plume of water erupting behind them.

Amazingly – and thankfully – nobody was hurt.

According to a press release from the National Park Service (NPS), the eruption took place at about 10:19am local time,  near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful.

Biscuit Basin, including the parking lot and boardwalks, were temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remained open. The extent of the damage caused by the hydrothermal explosion was unclear at the time the press release was issued, but the person who posted the video to Facebook, Vlada March, says, “boardwalk completely destroyed,” and that, “This has never happened in the history of the park.” 

Given that there's been a volcanic system here for about two million years, we can't substantiate that claim - we're just glad no one was injured.

The precise trigger for the eruption is a mystery so far. “No other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region,” says the NPS. “Today’s explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity. This is an evolving incident, and additional details will be shared as more facts are known.”

Park staff and staff from USGS (US Geological Survey) are monitoring conditions to decide when it’s safe to reopen the area.

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A man has been caught at Yellowstone National Park giving a picture-perfect demonstration of how not to photograph the local wildlife, squatting down right beside a herd of bison to take close-ups at dangerously close range.

The man, wearing swim shorts and slides, completely ignored advice from the National Park Service (NPS) to stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) from bison and elk at all times, and to ideally watch them from the safety of a vehicle.

A video of the encounter, which you can see below, was shared online by park visitor Scott Hansen, and was posted this week on Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone – a page that calls out bad behavior at US National Parks (often involving wildlife).

The NPS frequently reminds visitors to keep their distance around wildlife, particularly when taking photos. Earlier this year, Park Rangers warned visitors explicitly about the dangers of getting caught up in the excitement of seeing animals and wanting to capture the moment for posterity,

"If you want to take a picture of the animals, use a zoom lens on your camera," wrote officials in a blog post in February. "If you are close enough to take a selfie, you are wayyyy too close. If you see an animal, you are responsible for backing up to a safe distance, even if the animal moves toward you."

Be bison aware

Like all wild animals, bison can be unpredictable, and although they may seem docile at first, their mood can change quickly. Females (cows) are more likely to be aggressive when defending calves during the spring, while males (bulls) can be short-tempered during the breeding season in late summer.

"Approaching bison threatens them, and they may respond by bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, or snorting," advises the NPS. "These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent."

For more advice, take a look at our guides how to avoid being gored by a bison and wildlife safety: eight tips for surprise encounters.

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A group of tourists driving in Yellowstone National Park literally ended up in hot water when their car crashed into a hot, acidic pond created by a geyser.

The car swerved off the road and ended up fully submerged in nearly nine feet of water in the Semi-Centennial Geyser thermal feature, which is located near Roaring Mountain between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction in Yellowstone National Park. The temperature of the water in the thermal pond ranged around 105° Fahrenheit.

The incident happened around 10.40am last Thursday, and all five occupants managed to get out of the the car, and they were all later transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, none with life-threatening injuries (though some minor ones).

Park officials could not remove the car from the geyser until Friday. Park crews closed the roadway temporarily while crews lifted the sport-utility vehicle out of the  water, which took about two hours. The US Water Rescue Dive Team helped with the process, according to the press release.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and park officials have not released the names of those involved.

The geyser – or “thermal feature” as it’s since been redefined – was discovered in 1922, when it sent eruptions of water as high as 75 feet. Since then, no further eruptions have been witnessed, though there has been some “intermittent bubbling.”

In a press release, officials at Yellowstone thanked, “Hanser’s Automotive; US Water Rescue Dive Team; HK, Contractors; Resource Technologies Incorporated and Yellowstone Park Service Stations for their collective expertise and professionalism in removing the car from the thermal feature in such an expeditious manner.”

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Lots of Americans grow up taking family ski vacations in Colorado. Then they move to the Centennial State as soon as they can, inspired by the romance of their early mountain adventures. Colorado native Bo Welden went against the flow when he left his home state for Jackson Hole to teach environmental education after researching conservation and natural resources in Rwanda and at home. 

Welden had grown up visiting friends in Western Wyoming and fell in love with Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Today, as a wildlife naturalist guide with Jackson Hole Eco Tour Adventures, he gets to show others around these world-famous landmarks in search of wildlife viewing opportunities.

“As a guide I take people to really scenic places, and let them take a picture, and I have some of those similar photos of me as a kid.”

“We’re pretty spoiled to be able to go from town to northern Grand Teton and hang out with grizzly bears for a couple of hours, and then drive just an hour or so south, and be back in town," he says of the area he's called home since 2017.

Needless to say, Welden's work includes some major perks, spending time in some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes and getting up close and personal with some fantastic creatures among them. His access to Yellowstone wildlife has led him to share some extraordinary footage on his Instagram account, Bo Knows Outside, and it was his recent video of a wolf regretting its decision to chase elk that introduced me to his page. 

Welden recently agreed to chat to me about his experiences as a wildlife guide at Yellowstone and share what he’s learned so far so if you’ve got your hiking boots, trekking poles and best binoculars packed and are heading west for a wildlife tour this summer, you’ll want to keep reading.

1. It’s not all Hakuna Matata

If you grew up in the same era as me, you might have thought that a time machine would come in the form of a DeLorean, but according to Welden, standing in Yellowstone’s wildlife mecca, the Lamar Valley, is just like stepping back in time.

“This area is arguably the last intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states of the US,” says Welden.

And that means that what you get to see can be, well, primal. Sticker warning: your trip to Yellowstone probably won’t involve dancing, singing warthogs, but it could entail a wolf pack taking down a bison calf for supper. Watching wildlife can be awe-inspiring, memorable and hugely exciting, but it can also be extremely brutal.

“I've watched things sometimes that folks don't love to watch, and it's hard,” muses Welden.

“You know, watching wolves or bears take down prey, which is quite exhilarating and powerful to see but at the end of the day there is also an animal losing its life.”

Though it can be sad, Welden says, the beauty lies in the fact that there are still places in the world where that can happen.

2. Bison are not just fluffy cows

Some of the most stunning shots of Yellowstone, besides it’s glorious geysers, are of herds of bison grazing in the park. In fact, Yellowstone’s bison herd which can grow to as many as 6,000 bison, is so massive that some visitors get bored of them

“A lot of people are like, I don't want to see any more bison. Okay, we won’t show you any more of those,” he laughs.

But in seriousness, the sheer number of bison in the park perhaps in addition to their friendly appearance is what leads to so many careless tourists getting too close, posing for selfies and occasionally getting gored in the park.

“Bison are kind of funny because people get these false positive feedback loops where they say, ‘hey? You know what Bo? I got close to that one, that one and that one. So I'm gonna get close to one more.’ And the first three, you kind of got away with it. And then, because bison just look like strange, fluffy cows, it's like that thing can't hurt me. But they can.”

In fact, when they want to, bison can sprint at speeds of over 30 miles per hour, and they weigh between 1,300 and 2,100 pounds. There’s no chance that you won’t see any bison on your trip to Yellowstone, but you’re going to want to stay at least 25 yards away from them, and it’s your responsibility to move away if they move towards you.

“You would never want to get close to that,” warns Welden.

3. There’s more to Yellowstone than bears, bison and wolves

The most common question Welden gets asked?

“Are we gonna see a grizzly today?”

Answer: maybe, and yes, your guide has bear spray. And you’re definitely going to see a lot of bison, and perhaps even wolves. But there’s a lot more to Yellowstone than the big three, according to Welden. In addition to the park’s 67 different mammals, he says that Yellowstone’s incredible avian population (nearly 300 species of birds have been documented there to date including raptors, songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl) are worth dipping into some bird watching.

“I like getting folks interested in different waterfowl or the really complex behaviors of songbirds that cheat on their partners while they're building nests, there's all these really amazing dynamics that happen. But they're just not like the big and sexy charismatic species,” he says, which is why they get overlooked.

They’re also smaller and more difficult to spot, so bring your binoculars and be patient.

When he’s not looking to the skies, Welden is drawn to smaller mammals like badgers and weasels, which he captures on his Instagram page, as well as the pronghorn antelope.

“They look like they belong in Africa but they’re the fastest land animal in North America. They have this cool social structure. So I do try to get folks to dive in a little more on those versus being just so worried about about seeing a bear or a wolf.”

4. Your momentary visit can have a lasting impact

As a guide, Welden says he spends a lot of time with folks who don't realize that getting too close or leaving trash lying around can have an impact, because they’re usually only here once. Sometimes, your behavior has a big impact – a bear gets habituated to humans, becomes aggressive and is euthanized. Often, however, it’s more like “ death by a thousand cuts,” and it can be hard to realize the impact of your visit when you’re only there for a day.

“The biggest misconception is maybe thinking that your momentary visit won't have a long, lasting impact,” says Welden, recalling an event that took place only the previous night where he went out at sunset only to find visitors walking in an enclosure for birds, with their dogs off leash, hunting for antlers – all of which is illegal in a National Park.

It’s hard to go a day without reading a news story about a tourist doing something foolish in Yellowstone, whether it’s walking off the boardwalk onto fragile ecosystems for a better photo or approaching bear cubs for a closer look. 

“That very well could be the end of the animal's life. The wildness of this place at some level is constantly under threat by our presence.”

As for advice to help keep the wilderness wild, Welden’s is the same as visiting any outdoor space – leave no trace, secure your food and keep your distance.

5. Find the intimate moments

Welden is the first to admit that if he’s driving through the park with guests and comes upon a bear jam, he’s going to feel compelled to pull over and allow visitors time to watch that grizzly, wolf or bison that’s drawing crowds. But as a guide, he considers it his duty to try to steer people away from the crowds.

“If I were on my own time I would probably not stop and I try really hard as a guide to find more intimate moments for guests where it's just you and that animal in the landscape.”

And while it truly is rewarding to take that perfect shot and post it on Instagram for all to see, when you’ve done that he recommends bringing a scope like a pair of binoculars and spending some time zooming in on wildlife without worrying about documenting the experience for later.

“Stick your own eye through the spotting scope. Take this larger mental picture of where you're standing right now. If I can get folks that experience it feels worth it.”

When you can have a moment with wildlife that’s not at a zoo, Welden says, there's an important glimpse of what our world used to be like in its entirety that benefits us, even when you get back home to Cinncinati and you’re shopping at Target remembering the wolf you saw in Yellowstone.

“I think there's a certain level of importance for people to see these wild places. It just feels good to know that there's a place where wolves just get to do their thing, and they just get to be wild animals. I think there's something good for our psyche that there are still places that that we can only be visitors to.”

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Yellowstone's grizzly bear population got a boost this year when one sow birthed a litter of five cubs – and one lucky guide recently got a perfect shot of the family while out with guests.

In an Instagram video which you can watch below, wildlife naturalist guide Bo Welden captures the moment the so-called grizzly bear "supermom" crosses a felled tree in the woods. Moments later, her first cub follows her, then each adorable sibling crosses the log in turn, much to the delight of the spectators who you can hear squealing with delight behind the camera.

"Seeing the mother bear with the five cubs will always be a highlight moment for my guiding career!" writes Welden with the post.

Though a litter of five bear cubs isn't unheard of, a typical bear litter is two or three cubs, according to the American Bear Association, and getting to see such a large family out in the wild is extremely special, as Welden summed up in his post.

"When you have great days looking for wildlife you want what I call “the gravy”. It’s when you have already had such magical moments and your luck seems to be endless so you want all the next moments to be even more amazing!"

On that morning in Yellowstone, it looks like Welden and his guests indeed got the gravy.

Bear safety

As you can see from this post, the spectators are positioned at a safe distance from the bears and watching them through a scope, which is the best way to view wildlife. It is recommended that you always remain at least 100 yards away from grizzly bears and enjoy them through your binoculars.

If you are venturing into bear country, always carry bear spray and if you do come face to face with a grizzly bear in the wild, don't run as this may trigger its instinct to chase you. If it charges you and you're unable to deploy your bear spray, throw yourself face down on the ground and interlace your hands behind your neck (keep your bear spray in your hand as the bear may bite into it, which saved one hiker in Grand Teton National Park recently). Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to flip you over. If the attack continues, fight back.

Learn more in our article on what to do if you meet a bear.

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A man visiting Yellowstone National Park has given a perfect demonstration of how not to photograph the native bison. Upon encountering a herd on the road, rather than staying within the safety of his vehicle as recommended by the National Park Service (NPS), the visitor got out and approached the animals, using his iPad to snap pictures at dangerously close range.

The man continued to draw nearer while other drivers stuck in a growing traffic jam watched in disbelief, and only moved when a Park Ranger intervened and told him to back off. A video of the encounter, shot by photographer Jackie Boesinger Meredyk and shared via infamous Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone this week, shows just how close the man managed to get to the powerful animals.

"He reaches the herd of bison, who were being nudged forward by park law enforcement, and fearlessly stepped right up to the herd to get his shots," explained Boesinger Meredyk. "Stunned law enforcement officer says, 'You need to get 25 yards away' at which point the man ends his filming and so pleased with himself, returns to his car.”

Getting up close and personal with the wildlife is one of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Yellowstone. Although bison and elk may seem docile at first, they are unpredictable and their behavior can change in an instant, particularly if they feel threatened. 

The National Park Service (NPS) warns visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from elk and bison at all times, and 100 yards (91 meters) away from wolves and bears. The safest place to watch wildlife is from inside your car (though pierced bodywork and punctured tires are still a risk if you're unlucky).

"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," says the NPS.

"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."

Bison attacks

Bison, like all wild animals, generally prefer to avoid close contact with people, but females can be particularly aggressive in the spring when defending their calves (also known as 'red dogs' for their ginger-colored fur), and males can be more prone to attack during the rutting season in late summer as they compete for dominance and the right to mate.

Last summer two people were gored by bison at US National Parks within a week, both of whom suffered abdominal injuries. The first victim was charged while walking near the north shore of Lake Yellowstone, while the second was attacked at Painted Canyon Trailhead in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

"Bison are large, powerful, and wild," said the NPS in a statement at the time. "They can turn quickly and can easily outrun humans. Bulls can be aggressive during the rutting (mating) season, mid-July through August. Use extra caution and give them additional space during this time."

For more advice, see our guides how to avoid being gored by a bison and wildlife safety: eight tips for unexpected encounters.

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With their magnificent antlers and bugling calls, bull elk are at their most impressive during the rutting season, so it may be tempting to get close for a better look at them, but as these tourists learned, it's much safer to give them space and watch from a safe distance.

A video shared this week via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone shows a large group of people who have gathered to watch a group of elk at the roadside. One has stopped their truck in the middle of the road, causing traffic to back up, while others have left their vehicles for a better view.

As you can see in the clip, which is embedded below, one particular bull elk reacts to this intrusion by charging the stopped truck, sending those on foot sprinting back to the safety of their cars.

Elk generally prefer to avoid close encounters with people, but males (bulls) are more likely to show aggression during the rut in the fall, while females (cows) are prone to charging when protecting their young calves in the spring.

Usually elk will begin with a bluff charge intended to drive the potential threat away, but they are powerful animals and can cause serious injuries if they knock a person down. Last month, people in Estes Park, Colorado (a town famous for its elk population) were warned to take care after several elk attacks were reported within a week.

In one incident, a four-year-old boy was injured after accidentally getting too close to a pair of elk calves that were hidden near a playground. A family member scared the animal away and the child was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment before being released.

Rangers later found several cow elk near the playground and drove them away using non-lethal beanbag rounds.

Elk safety

The National Park Service (NPS) warns people visiting Yellowstone to always give animals plenty of space, and never deliberately approach or distract them. Visitors should stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) from elk and bison, and 100 yards (93 meters) from predators like bears and wolves.

The NPS says the safest place to watch wildlife is from within your car, but you should always respect the animals and other road users. 

"Use pullouts to watch wildlife and let other cars pass," say officials. "Stay with your vehicle if you encounter a wildlife jam."

If you're planning to visit a National Park this fall, our guide how to enjoy elk rutting season safely is packed with advice to help you enjoy watching these impressive animals without disturbing them.

• The best binoculars: enjoy watching wildlife from a safe distance

It's rutting season for bison at Yellowstone National Park, with hormones running high and tempers fraying, but it seems some visitors just can't resist the opportunity to get up close to the huge animals, regardless of the danger.

The latest example, shared via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone this week, involves a woman who decided to approach a particularly large specimen for some close-up photos, then turned her back to pose for pictures with it. According to  Aimee Lopez, who snapped some shots of the incident from the safety of her car, the visitor then went even further and tried to stroke the animal.

"These were taken in Yellowstone yesterday," Lopez wrote online. "It got worse, she tried to pet it. At that point, I drove up the road and got a ranger."

According to the National Park Service (NPS), bison are the most dangerous animals at Yellowstone, responsible for more injuries than predators like bears and wolves. Just a few weeks ago, an 83-year-old woman suffered serious injuries when she was gored by a bison at the park. According to rangers, the animal was acting in self-defence when it lashed out.

"The bison, defending its space, came within a few feet of the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns," said an NPS spokesperson after the incident.

Officials also took the opportunity to remind the public to respect animals at the park. "Visitors: it’s your responsibility to respect safety regulations and view wildlife from a safe distance," they said. "Move away from wildlife if they approach you."

Be bison aware

Approaching or distracting wildlife at US National Parks is a federal crime, and those found guilty may face hefty fines or even jail time.

The NPS warns visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from bison and elk at all times, and 100 yards (93 meters) from wolves and bears.

The safest way to watch wildlife is from within your car, using a zoom lens or a pair of binoculars to get a good view. If you're driving, only stop in dedicated pullouts to watch animals. Don't stop in the road and hold up traffic.

For more advice, take a look at our guides how to avoid being gored by a bison and wildlife safety: eight tips for surprise encounters.

• The best binoculars: enjoy watching wildlife from a safe distance

How could you make Yeti's super tough camping coolers even better? By adding adorable wildlife from Yellowstone National Park, of course! 

Yellowstone General Stores, which stocks a wide array of park-themed mementoes and apparel, has some particularly adorable designs available right now, as spotted by a user in the YetiCoolers subreddit. Redditor wwb1990 spotted the three options on a recent visit to the park, and shared a photo to the delight of other Yeti fans.

Yellowstone National Park offerings from r/YetiCoolers

If you can't make it to the park yourself, you'll be pleased to know that the three special Tundra coolers are also available to buy online (though the bear design is sadly sold out). We have no affiliate relationship with Yellowstone General Stores and receive no commission – we just wanted to share the adorable news.

If you're looking for something else, we'll be rounding up all this year's best Amazon Prime Day Yeti deals later this month, so stick with Advnture to make sure you don't miss out.

Yellowstone National Park is a fantastic destination for a family vacation, but the risks posed by wildlife and the park's geothermal features mean parents should keep a close eye on their kids at all times. They certainly shouldn't follow the example of a couple who were filmed at the park recently risking their children's safety by snapping photos of a particularly angry bison as the animal bears down on them.

The video, which was shared via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone this week, shows a bison approaching the family in a parking lot with its tail flicking side to side – a classic sign that the animal is agitated and likely to charge. Rather than get inside their vehicle as soon as possible, the adults take this as an opportunity to snap some close-up photos.

As you can see below, this time the family was lucky and managed to escape without injury, but not everyone is so lucky. Each year, there are reports of visitors being attacked and gored by bison at US National Parks after getting too close.

Earlier this month, an 83-year-old woman was gored by a bison at Yellowstone, suffering serious injuries.

"The bison, defending its space, came within a few feet of the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns," said a representative for the National Park Service (NPS) in a news report. The incident remains under investigation, but the NPS took the opportunity to remind visitors that they are responsible for their own safety.

Be bison aware

The NPS advises always staying at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from large herbivores like bison and elk, and 100 yards (91 meters) from wolves and bears.

"Approaching bison threatens them, and they may respond by bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, or snorting," says the NPS. "These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent."

If you're planning a visit to a US National Park over the coming weeks, take a look at our guide wildlife safety: eight tips for unexpected encounters. Our list of wildlife photography tips from a pro will also come in handy, giving you expert advice to help you capture natural animal behavior while keeping you and them safe.

• The best binoculars: enjoy watching animals from a safe distance

A car is the safest place to watch wildlife, according to the National Park Service, but even then it pays to take time and give the animals space, as one driver learned at Yellowstone National Park. 

In a video shared via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone at the weekend, a visitor can be seen becoming impatient at the head of a large bison jam and trying to drive around the animal rather than wait for it to finish crossing. The bison (a particularly large specimen) doesn't take too kindly to this intrusion and uses its powerful horns to rip off the vehicle's rear bumper like it's made of paper.

This incident probably happened during the animals' mating season (known as the rut) during the late summer or fall. As you can see in the clip below, the bison is exhibiting a flehmen response, using its tongue to draw air to an olfactory organ in the roof of its mouth to help it detect whether there is a female nearby that is ready to mate.

"Bison do not pose a threat to people unless you get too close," explains the NPS. "Many bison-related injuries in Yellowstone result from people approaching them to take a picture. Use a camera with a telephoto lens to take photos from more than 25 yards away."

Always keep an eye out for changes in the animal's behavior that suggest it might be unsettled by your presence. Stopping what it's doing and turning to face you, swinging its head back and forth while staring at you, pawing the ground or hooking the ground with its horns, and making short bluff charges are all signs that you're still too close for comfort.

"Always have an escape plan by identifying nearby protective cover like trees and cars," advises the NPS. "If there’s no cover, turn around or wait for the bison to leave the area. Bison don’t like dogs, so keep dogs leashed when bison are in the area (leashes are required in Yellowstone). Finally, bear spray can be effective at deterring an aggressive bison."

For more advice, see our guides how to avoid being gored by a bison and wildlife safety: eight tips for surprise encounters.

• The best binoculars: enjoy watching wildlife from a safe distance

Most days, we find ourselves reporting on humans regretting their decision to chase, pet or otherwise get too close to big mammals in places like Yellowstone National Park – take the Wyoming hiker who recently tried to get a moose to pose for photos, for example. Today, however, it's one of Yellowstone's famous wolves that got too close for comfort.

In a video posted to Instagram by wildlife guide Bo Welden, which you can view below, a hungry wolf is seen chasing a solo elk. Though much larger than a wolf, elk make up most of Yellowstone's wolf population's prey in winter months.

However, the fleeing elk is soon seen meeting up with its herd, where it recruits a couple of buddies and in a show of force, the three elk quickly turn the tables on the retreating wolf.

One elk very nearly catches up to the wolf before giving up chase and allowing it to scurry off into the brush with its tail between its legs.

"Have you ever tried to catch and kill your food with your face? Plus your food runs 30+ miles an hour, one stomp from a powerful hoof kills/injures you, and has a fierce motherly instinct! It’s no easy task," writes Welden with the post.

Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995 and as of January this year, the park reports there are 10 packs with at least 124 wolves in total. They largely prey on elk, deer and even bison. Meanwhile, there are an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 elk in the park, so you can't blame the wolf for having a go.

Wolves and elk are just a few of the amazing wildlife viewing opportunities on display at Yellowstone, and while it's worth going there to spot these creatures in the wild, it's important to remember to view them like this guide did – from a safe distance, through a lens like that on your best binoculars.

• Wolves returned to Isle Royale five years ago, and they’re thriving

A man from Washington has been sentenced to seven days in jail, banned from Yellowstone National Park for two years, and ordered to pay $1,550 in fines and fees after he was found guilty of trespassing in one of the park's geothermal areas.

According to a release issued by the NPS, a park employee spotted 21-year-old Viktor Pyshniuk was spotted wandering off the boardwalk near Steamboat Geyser, in the Norris Geyser basin. The employee took a photo of Pyshniuk, who had crossed a fence and ignored warning signs to reach the geyser, and called a law enforcement officer. 

When he arrived, the officer spoke with Pyshniuk, who said he had left the boardwalk to take photos of the geyser. The officer then pointed out the various signs spread throughout the area, explaining that leaving the boardwalk is both illegal and dangerous.

Not only could a person suffer serious burns if they accidentally fall into a thermal pool (in 2016 a man died and his body was dissolved after he fell into a pool in the Norris Geyser basin), there is only a thin, fragile crust covering the area's scalding hot groundwater. There is also the danger of hot steam, and the erratic nature of geothermal features.

Steamboat is the world's tallest active geyser, and major eruptions are unpredictable. Major eruptions can last just three minutes, or continue for over half an hour, sending steam and debris over 300ft in the air. So far there have been three major eruptions in 2024, which took place on February 26, April 3, and May 30. Even minor eruptions can reach heights up to 40ft, and last up to four minutes. 

"Significant penalties"

Magistrate Judge Stephanie A Hambrick explained that the sentence was meant to deter Pyshniuk from future trespassing, and as an example to anyone else who might be tempted to wander off established trails for a closer look. She expressed concern that other visitors who saw Pyshniuk might have assumed what he was doing was all right.

“In cases like this one where we have strong evidence showing a person has willfully disregarded signs and entered a closed, thermal area, federal prosecutors will seek significant penalties, including jail time," said Acting United States Attorney Eric Heimann.

Earlier this year, actor Pierce Brosnan was also fined for trespassing in a geothermal area near Mammoth Terraces. Brosnan initially pleaded not guilty, but later changed his plea. He was ordered to pay a fine of $500 and make a donation of $1,000 to Yellowstone Forever, a non-profit organization that supports the park.

"I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area," Brosnan wrote on Instagram later. "Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy.”

• Get a free 148-page ebook celebrating the world's greatest national parks

As hiking season gets underway, a pair of tourists at Yellowstone National Park have given a perfect demonstration of how not to enjoy watching and photographing the wildlife. The duo were spotted in Hayden Valley taking it in turns to pose with a particularly large bison, seemingly oblivious to how dangerous these powerful creatures can be. According to the National Park Service (NPS), they are responsible for more injuries than any other animals at Yellowstone, including bears, wolves and snakes.

A video of the incident, which you can watch below, was shared via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone this week. It was shot by wildlife biologist Jeremy Jacobs, who explains that it was recorded during the rut last fall, when male bison are particularly aggressive as they compete for dominance and the right to mate.

This particular animal appears calm, but a bison's mood can change in a second, which can have serious consequences.

"The animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be," says the NPS in its safety guidance for visitors. "The safest (and often best) view of wildlife is from inside a car."

It's a lesson that one hiker learned the hard way in 2022, when she encountered a small bison herd while hiking alone in Caprock Canyons State Park, Texas. Rather than taking an alternative route and extending her hike, Rebecca Clark decided to carefully creep past the animals. At first they seemed to tolerate her presence, but when she was nearly past, one bull charged and gored her, leaving her with a serious puncture wound to her back

Clark later admitted she was too close, and shared a video of the attack online as a warning to other hikers who may encounter bison on their adventures.

Bison safety

"Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans," warns the NPS. "Always stay at least 25 yards (23m) away from bison."

You may see the animals near developed areas or on trails, which often provide the easiest route for them to get around the park. If necessary, you should turn around and head back the way you came to avoid coming into close quarters with them.

Bluff charging, bellowing, snorting, and pawing the ground are all signs that a bison is agitated and is likely to make a serious charge. According to the NPS, you should never try to stand your ground in such a situation. Instead, walk or run away, and use your bear spray if the bison follows (our guide how to use bear spray explains everything you need to know about carrying and deploying it).

• The best binoculars: enjoy watching bison and other animals from a safe distance

Lakes, rivers and waterfalls offer some spectacular hiking opportunities, particularly during the summer, but don't make the same mistake as this hiker at Yellowstone National Park, who discovered the hard way just how slippery wet rocks can be.

In a video shared this week via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone (which you can see below), a woman can be seen slowly sliding down a slick bank into a lake, unable to grip anything to stop her descent. It's not clear why she wandered onto the wet stone, but with only flip-flops for footwear, she is unable to get any purchase on the slippery ground (our guide can you go hiking in flip-flops explains why this is a bad idea).

The dangers of straying too close to Yellowstone's thermal pools are well publicized, but falling into a lake can also be extremely serious. Yellowstone Lake in particular is cold all year round, with an average temperature of just 41°F (5°C). In such cold water, a person is only likely to survive for 20-30 minutes.

"More than 100 people have died in Yellowstone’s lakes and rivers," says the National Park Service. "Cold water makes hypothermia a year-round risk, and spring snow melt makes rivers dangerous to cross."

To keep yourself safe around water, make sure you stick to established trails and don't be tempted to get closer to the water for a better look. Erosion can cause steep drop-offs around bodies of water, and banks can be surprisingly soft or slick. Also make sure you wear proper hiking boots or hiking shoes with deep treads (our roundup of the best hiking boots includes lots of lightweight options that will work well for summer adventures).

Water safety

Crossing rivers is best avoided if possible – even relatively shallow water can be powerful enough to knock you off your feet. If there's no bridge or other way across, and you've checked your map to be sure you've not missed anything, consider the width, speed, and depth of the river, the visibility and appearance of the riverbed (you don't want to get stuck or tangled in anything), and any potential hazards downstream that you may be swept towards. Depending where you are, you may also need to think about whether there might be wildlife like crocodiles and alligators in the area.

If you must cross, look for an area where the water is shallow and slow-moving. It might be tempting to look for the narrowest point, but the water here is likely to be deeper and faster-moving. 

For more advice, check out our article how to cross a river safely – and when not to.

• The best water shoes: footwear for aquatic adventures tested and rated

Despite repeated warnings from Park Rangers, a man visiting Yellowstone National Park was spotted taking a break and sitting in a field occupied by a herd of bison and their calves. Predictably this proved a bad idea, and he was forced to flee when one adult took exception to the intrusion and chased him away. Like all mammals, bison are fiercely protective of their young, so he was lucky to escape without injury.

A photo of the incident (which you can see below) was shared this week via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone, which calls out careless behavior at US National Parks, often involving elk, bison, and even bears and wolves. The picture was shot by wildlife photographer Ben Bluhm, who spotted the man from the safety of his vehicle.

Every year people are seriously injured after getting too close to bison, accidentally or on purpose. Just a few days ago, an 83-year-old woman was seriously injured after being tossed a foot in the air by one of the animals.

2015 was a particularly bad year, with five attacks at Yellowstone. As the BBC reports, one victim, a 43-year-old woman, had stopped to take a selfie with her daughter in front of a bison when the animal charged. 

"When they turned their backs to the bison to take the picture, someone warned that they were too close," said the NPS in a statement after the attack. "They heard the bison’s footsteps moving toward them and started to run, but the bison caught the mother on the right side, lifted her up and tossed her with its head."

The NPS issued another warning the following year after a woman was filmed trying to take a selfie with an elk, which became distressed and charged at her.

"People generally are just so excited to be in a park, and the next cool thing is if they can get a picture of wildlife, and then the third thing is 'Can I get a picture of me and the wildlife?'" NPS spokesperson Jeffrey Olson told ABC News at the time.

Rangers warns visitors that visiting a National Park is not like going to the zoo; there are few barriers, if any, to separate you from the animals, and you are in their territory. 

"Animals may appear to be calm and docile, but are unpredictable and can easily be startled," says the NPS. "Remember that you, the visitor, are responsible for your safety and for the safety of the animals, too."

• The best binoculars: enjoy watching wildlife from a safe distance

Yet another hiker has been spotted with his phone out, posing for photos with a bison at Yellowstone National Park. Bison are powerful and unpredictable wild animals, and according to the National Park Service (NPS) are responsible for more injuries at Yellowstone than any other animal – including wolves, bears, and snakes.

This particular incident was recorded by another park visitor who wisely stayed inside his own vehicle. The selfie-taker eventually moved when warned, but the bison was clearly agitated by his close proximity, turning to face him and sending a nearby woman running.

The clip was shared via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone, which highlights careless behavior at US National Parks and other sites of natural beauty. These all too often involve wildlife, and previous incidents have included a bare-chested man chasing a wolf, a visitor petting a bison, and a man taunting a bull elk by bugling at it.

Distracting or harassing wildlife at National Parks is a federal crime, and if found guilty, visitors face bans, fines, and even jail time. 

The rules exist to protect people as well as animals. Just a few days ago, an 83-year-old woman suffered serious injuries when she was gored by a bison at Yellowstone and lifted about a foot in the air. Her current condition is unknown, and the NPS says the incident is being investigated.

"Wild animals can be aggressive if people don't respect their space," warned an NPS spokesperson in a statement after the attack. "When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot or in a developed area, give it space. It is your responsibility to stay more than 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes – and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves."

If necessary, you should turn around or take a different route to avoid invading an animal's space. Last year, a young woman was gored while hiking in Caprock Canyons State Park after she tried to sneak past a herd of bison rather than take a detour to avoid them. Rebecca Clark, who suffered a puncture wound to her back, posted a video of the attack online as a warning to others.

• Get a free 148-page ebook celebrating the world's greatest National Parks

A man found himself in a sticky situation at Yellowstone National Park after wandering up to a herd of bison to snap photos and finding himself surrounded on all sides.

A video of the incident, which you can see below, was shared this week via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone. The account calls out irresponsible behavior at US National Parks, all too often involving wildlife like bison, bears, and elk.

Bison are the most dangerous animals at Yellowstone according to the National Park Service (NPS), responsible for more injuries than any other creatures, including bears and wolves. Last summer, two women were gored by bison at US National Parks within the space of a week, and just a few days ago an 83-year-old woman suffered serious injuries when she was gored.

"The bison, defending its space, came within a few feet of the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns," said a spokesperson for the NPS in a report after the incident.

This particular man remained on the boardwalk, but bison can easily hop up onto the path, even if doing so causes the wood to splinter. It's always best to give the animals plenty of space and use a telephoto lens to take pictures of them engaging in natural behavior from a safe distance.

Wildlife safety at Yellowstone

The (NPS) warns visitors to stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) from bison and elk at all times. If you're not sure how far that is, try holding out your arm, closing one eye, and giving the animal a thumbs-up. If you can hide it completely behind your thumb, you're at a safe distance to keep watching with a pair of binoculars, a monocular, or your camera's zoom.

"The animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be," says the NPS. "The safest (and often best) view of wildlife is from inside a car."

• Get a free 148-page ebook celebrating the world's greatest National Parks

Bear 815 at Yellowstone National Park, also known as Obsidian Sow, has become something of a local celebrity after giving birth to three cubs last year. Unfortunately, the family's popularity has led some members of the public to endanger themselves in the hopes of getting a photo of the four at close range.

Last month, professional photographer Stacy ONell found herself stuck in a bear jam as Obsidian and her three yearlings crossed a road, and could only watch as over a dozen people piled out of their cars, cameras and phones in hand, for a closer look. She recorded the incident from inside her vehicle, and captured the moment Obsidian Sow changed direction and ran towards the assembled crowd to drive them away from her cubs.

Grizzly bears prefer to avoid encounters with people, but can lash out if their or their young are threatened. Luckily for these photographers, her charge was only a bluff and once the people moved she changed course and led her three cubs to safety.

Her video (which you can see below) was shared this week via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone, which calls out bad behavior at US National Parks, often involving wildlife.

Emma Jacobs, professional wildlife photographer and panel judge for the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards, explains that patience and care are essential for photographing wild animals.

"Only photograph natural behaviors and always avoid making animals do anything to cause them harm or distress," she explains in our guide six wildlife photography tips from a pro. "That means no startling birds to get them to take flight or tempting a marmot closer with trail mix. You’re a guest in their house, so be quiet, still and let them be wild."

Be bear aware

Distracting or harassing wildlife at US National Parks is a federal offence, and visitors caught breaking the rules can expect a hefty fine, or even a brief spell in jail.

"The animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be," warns the National Park Service (NPS) "The safest (and often best) view of wildlife is from inside a car."

You should always stay at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 meters) from bison and elk. A telephoto camera lens or a pair of binoculars will help you get a good view from a safe distance. For more advice, check out our guide wildlife safety: eight tips for surprise encounters.

• The best binoculars: enjoy watching wildlife safely

An 83-year-old woman has sustained serious injuries after being gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park over the weekend. The news comes just two weeks after we reported on a herd of bison charging a crowd of tourists in the park.

The woman, who has not been identified, was visiting from South Carolina when she was attacked near the Storm Point Trail at Yellowstone Lake on Saturday. Though details on the incident are sparse, it's not uncommon for park visitors to get too close to bison, who are not naturally aggressive but can be defensive when they feel threatened.

"The bison, defending its space, came within a few feet of the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns," writes the National Parks Service in a news report.

Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal, according to the NPS, who describe them as "unpredictable" and reveal that they can run three times faster than humans.

Emergency responders from the park transported the woman to the Lake Medical Clinic where she was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. The incident remains under investigation, but park officials were unequivocal in their warnings to visitors, writing: "Visitors: It’s your responsibility to respect safety regulations and view wildlife from a safe distance. Move away from wildlife if they approach you."

Park officials remind all visitors to stay more than 25 yards away from big mammals like bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes. If they move towards you, it is your responsibility to move out of their space to avoid being gored by a bison.

• Wildlife safety: 8 tips for surprise encounters

A family has been caught posing two young children for photos among elk at Yellowstone National Park – much to the frustration of  Park Rangers, who swiftly intervened upon spotting the children dangerously close to the animals.

Ty Mixon, who shared photos of the incident via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone, said he was surprised to see people acting so carelessly around the local animals just two days into his stay at Yellowstone, but commented that a Park Ranger handled the situation quickly. Mixon's first photo (which you can see below) shows the children being encouraged to stand right in front of an elk, while the second shows a  Ranger striding purposefully towards them to deliver some strong words.

Elk attacks are rare, but they do happen and sometimes result in serious injury. In 2020 a man was gored by an elk on a Colorado golf course, and in 2019 two people were injured in an elk attack in the town of Estes Park. In 2018, two people were hospitalized after being attacked by a particularly protective cow elk at Yellowstone.

Cows are particularly likely to attack at this time of year, when they are likely to be defending their calves. Even if a calf appears to be alone, it's important to never approach it; the animal is unlikely to have been abandoned, and its mother is probably foraging nearby.

Touching wild animals can put them in serious danger. Last spring, two people put a baby elk in their car at Yellowstone National Park, believing it to be abandoned, and drove it to a nearby police station. When they arrived, the young animal jumped out of the vehicle and ran into nearby woods. Its fate is unknown, but without its mother, it may not have survived.

Wildlife safety

Elk are at their most impressive during the rut in the fall, and it's spectacular to witness if you're careful and respect the animals' space. If you're planning to check it out next year, take a look at our guide how to enjoy elk rutting season safely.

The NPS advises staying at least 25 yards (23 meters) from elk at all times. If you're not sure what that looks like, hold out your arm, close one eye, and give the elk a thumbs-up. If you can't hide the whole animal behind your thumb, you need to back up. It's wisest to appreciate them from the safety of your car, or use a pair of binoculars or a long lens. 

• The best binoculars: our top recommendations for wildlife and astronomy

Tourists at Yellowstone National Park are facing harsh criticism after wandering into a bison herd to take photos of themselves with the animals. The people were caught on camera posing with bison at a parking lot in one of the park's geothermal areas.

A video of the incident, recorded by Yellowstone tour guide Katie Milesky, was shared this week via infamous Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone, which calls out bad behavior at US National Parks and implores visitors to take care around wildlife.

"As a Park Ranger/EMT for the National Park Service I can tell you **** like this happens way [too] often," wrote one commenter. "People then complain why is Park Ranger blank so mean... well **** like this forces us to be stern."

Other commenters were more candid, with one writing "I’m cheering for the assault cows."

Stay safe around bison

According to the NPS, bison are responsible for more injuries at Yellowstone than any other animal, including wolves and bears, and each year there are reports of people being seriously injured after getting too close. In 2023, two women were gored by bison at US National Parks within the space of a week. Both survived, but were hospitalized with abdominal injuries.

Selfie-taking is particularly risky; turning your back to the animal means you are likely to miss changes in behavior like pawing the ground and raising the tail, both of which signal that the animal is distressed and liable to charge.

Five people were attacked by bison at Yellowstone in 2015, including one woman trying to take selfies with her daughter in front of an animal.

"When they turned their backs to the bison to take the picture, someone warned that they were too close," said the NPS in a statement after the attack. "They heard the bison’s footsteps moving toward them and started to run, but the bison caught the mother on the right side, lifted her up and tossed her with its head."

Approaching or distracting wild animals at US National Parks is illegal, and punishable by a fine or jail time. The NPS advises staying at least 25 yards (23 meters) from bison and elk at all times. If you're not sure how far that is, close one eye, hold out your arm, and give the animal a thumbs-up. If you can completely hide it behind your thumb, you can carry on watching, being mindful of any behavioral changes.

For more advice, see our guides how to avoid being gored by a bison and wildlife safety: eight tips for unexpected encounters.

• The best binoculars: enjoy watching wildlife from a safe distance

An adult moose can weigh over 2,000lb and move at speeds up to 25mph, so you don't want to get on their bad side. On a recent visit to Yellowstone National Park, one hiker filming a herd of moose in Round Prairie was surprised to spot two of the huge animals chasing after a park visitor who had chosen to get a little too close, and was sprinting to escape.

Moose attacks are rare, but the animals can charge if they or their young are threatened, and are particularly likely to lash out if dogs are nearby since they cannot differentiate between a domestic dog and a wolf.

This particular incident was captured by Leah Hilton and shared this week via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone, which calls out careless behavior at US National Parks, often involving wildlife. Other close calls have included people taunting elk, harassing bison, and even chasing bears, all of which are federal crimes punishable by a hefty fine or even jail time.

The National Park Service (NPS) warns visitors that animals at Yellowstone are wild and can be unpredictable, no matter how calm they may seem in the moment. The best and safest place  to view them is from within a car, and you should always stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from bison, moose and elk.

Stay safe around moose

Moose are naturally more inclined to be inquisitive rather than aggressive, but they can attack people if they feel threatened, with serious consequences. They tend to react particularly strongly around dogs, which they see as wolves.

Last year, a woman was charged and knocked down by a cow moose while walking her dog in the Rocky Mountains. As Associated Press reported, the animal headbutted and trampled her as she walked her pet on a wooded trail. She was taken to hospital for treatment, having been stomped on "several times".

"If a moose thinks a dog is a threat it’s going to react to it, and that’s normal for a moose," said Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

• The best binoculars: enjoy wildlife from a safe distance

There’s a tourist sitting on a bench who looks like he’s way too close to a herd of bison for comfort at the start of this video. But it turns out he’s not the one in danger. 

If fact, he’s the sensible one here, keeping as still as possible and hoping the bison walk on by. But then something else attracts their attention. 

A bunch of tourists just casually wandering for too near the herd. They’re not casual for much longer

This video shot by Adella Gonzalez last Wednesday captures the moment the herd started charging straight at the foolhardy trekkers, who really need to learn how to avoid being gored by a bison

Gonzalez told online news service Storyful that she was on vacation at the park with her family when she noticed the group of bison ambling near a walkway. Keeping a safe distance away, Gonzalez used her phone camera video the herd. But then she noticed the group of tourists “getting very close to the bison… The pack of bison began to get agitated and started running.” 

The bison can be seen in the video giving chase as the group scatters and skidaddles. It’s not the first time tourists have got far, far too close to bison.

“I don't think that's wise. Oh my heavens… Oh no! Don’t run! Holy cats! Oh my god! They’ve got the zoomie zooms!” a woman’s voice can be heard saying on the video (adding a somewhat Looney Tunes touch to the proceedings).

Thankfully, according to Gonzales, nobody was hurt and the bison calmed down, resuming their original path.

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Most wolves in the wild only live about three or four years, but one Yellowstone wolf has entered her 11th year – and just brought another litter of pups to the famous National Park.

Wolves were first reintroduced to Yellowstone nearly 20 years ago in 1995 and according to the National Parks Service, there are at least 124 wolves over 10 packs today. Some years, that number drops as low as 80, and wildlife officials expect older wolves to die, but this female keeps defying expectations.

According to a report in Wyoming's Cowboy State Daily, the one-eyed wolf known as 907F from the Junction Butte Pack isn't just surviving year after year, she birthed yet another litter of pups around two weeks ago.

“Any day, I kind of expect we’ll hear her tracking collar signal a mortality. But I’ve thought that before, and she’s always kept going, so maybe she’ll keep going,” says wolf researcher Kira Cassidy in the article, adding that the wolf had her first litter back in 2015.

Wolf pups stay in the den for a few weeks after birth, so Cassidy says that researchers haven't yet set eyes on them, and don't know the size of the litter. They have seen 907F leaving the den to find water and she reportedly looks to be in good health, despite her advanced age.

Wolves are often killed in fights with rival packs or stomped to death by larger prey such as elk and moose, while some are killed by traffic and hunters, but 907F managed to keep avoiding this fate and seems to grow wiser each year.

“An older wolf can know even simple things, like where it’s safest to cross a river during flood stage,” explains Cassidy.

Wolf safety

If you're traveling to Yellowstone this summer, or any area that has wolves, the chances are still low that you'll meet a wolf in the wild. If you're lucky enough to see one, secure your dog first and foremost. If the wolf shows signs of interest in you, stand your ground, make yourself appear big and make some noise. Learn more in our article on what to do if you encounter a wolf on the trail.

• Best hiking boots: hit the trails

A new Instagram account set up by Yosemite park rangers isn’t quite the big wall climbing equivalent of a live departures app for trains or buses, but it’ll do for now. And it’s also curiously browsable if you have a head geared for pattern-spotting.

What are we talking about? The Yosemite Big Wall Traffic instagram account, which began relaying daily data about rock climbing in Yosemite a week ago.

It shows how many climbers have started up the major Yosemite climbing routes every day. The information is based on the number of climbers who’ve received a wilderness climbing permit.

“This is a valuable tool to see how busy popular routes in Yosemite are,” said a spokesperson for the park’s rangers. “Daily updated posts will have information for yesterday, today and tomorrow. The more community buy-in that we have for the self-registration permits, the more accurate the data we can share with the people will be.”

Yosemite National Park has said that all climbers staying overnight on big wall climbs in Yosemite must have a wilderness climbing permit. If you are doing a day climb, you don’t need a wilderness climbing permit.

“Permits are issued using a 24-hour self-registration kiosk at El Cap meadow located right by the shuttle stop,” note the rangers. With a permit, climbers can bivouac on any vertical cliff, face, or wall in Yosemite provided that they are at least one pitch off the ground on a route that is Grade V or higher. 

So over the first week of the account’s operation you can see that El Capitan’s The Nose was by far the most popular, though there was a sudden rush on Triple Direct last Wednesday and Lurking Fall was popular the day before that.

Although communicating this data via social media is hardly utilizing the latest tech (and we’d assume Live Climbing Apps will be the next step if the site proves useful / popular) it’s still an interesting, easily accessible record of trends.

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Tourists often court danger by getting too close to bison at Yellowstone National Park, but one visitor has been caught taking it to another level (quite literally) by squatting in the tall grass to pose for selfies with one of the animals.

The incident was caught on camera by David Spady and shared on Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone this week. As we enter hiking season, it serves as a timely reminder to give wildlife plenty of space to avoid causing them distress, or provoking them. 

Each year, there are reports of people being seriously injured by bison after getting too close, and in 2023, two women were gored by bison within the space of a week at US National Parks. Both survived, but were hospitalized with serious abdominal injuries.

Bison might bear a passing resemblance to domestic cattle, but they are seriously powerful and their behavior can change in an instant if they think that they or their young are in danger. As the National Park Service (NPS) warns visitors, "The animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be."

Visitors are warned to stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from bison at all times, and Park Rangers recommend watching these magnificent animals from the safety of a vehicle.

Approaching, distracting, or touching wildlife at National Parks is illegal, and punishable by a fine or jail time. Last year a well-meaning visitor was fined after trying to help a newborn bison calf that had become separated from its herd. The man, Clifford Walters of Hawaii, pushed the calf up from a river bank, but it was rejected by the other animals and Rangers took the difficult decision to euthanize it after it began approaching people and cars.

A spokesperson for the park explained that some calves do die, but it's part of the natural cycle of life, and provides food for other animals.

"Those deaths will benefit other animals by feeding everything from bears and wolves to birds and insects," the spokesperson said on Twitter. "Allowing this cycle of life to play out aligns most closely with the stewardship responsibility entrusted to us by the American people."

For more guidance, take a look at our guides how to avoid being gored by a bison, and wildlife safety: eight tips for surprise encounters.

• The best binoculars: enjoy watching wildlife from a safe distance

Feeding elk at US National Parks is illegal, and for good reason – doing so is dangerous for both the animals and your fingers.

As the summer hiking season gets underway, a video posted this week on Instagram account TouronsOfNationalParks is a timely reminder to leave elk and other animals well alone, no matter how tame they may appear to be. In the clip, which you can see below, a group of visitors are enthusiastically petting and feeding a cow elk at the roadside.

The animal seems unfazed, but according to wildlife photographer Vic Schendel, who recorded the incident at Rocky Mountain National Park, "Just moments after taking this video, the cow elk bit off the end of a young boy's finger as he was feeding it."

People may think they're helping wild animals by feeding them, but it can actually be very harmful. Not only is there a risk of being attacked (even seemingly docile animals can become aggressive if they feel threatened), being fed by visitors means they are more likely to seek out human food in future, increasing the odds of a dangerous close encounter.

They can also lose their natural wariness of humans – a phenomenon called habituation. If a habituated or food-conditioned animal is deemed to be a risk to public safety, it may need to be put down.

Being hand-fed also means animals are less likely to seek out their natural diet, which can have disastrous effects on their health.

"Most animals have very specific natural diets and therefore specific kinds of digestive bacteria," explains the National Park Service (NPS). "Being fed human food causes the wrong type of bacteria to become dominant in their stomachs. Soon these animals are no longer able to digest their natural foods.

"They end up starving to death with stomachs full of what they should have been eating all along. What could be crueler?"

Elk safety

When it comes to wildlife, the NPS advises that the best relationship is a long-distance relationship. Visitors should stay at least 75ft (23 meters) from elk and bighorn sheep, and at least 120ft (36 meters) from moose, mountain lions, and bears. People should never try to distract animals or get a reaction from them.

"The popularity of selfies and capturing any moment through photographs or video is posing a new threat to wildlife and humans," warns the NPS.

"Trigger-happy tourists have started to provoke animals, and in some instances, alter their behaviors as a result. Quietly watching from a distance can be even more rewarding than getting the perfect shot."

• Best binoculars and monoculars: enjoy wildlife watching from a safe distance

Roads at Yellowstone National Park are beginning to reopen to regular traffic as the summer hiking season approaches. Most guests take care to treat the local wildlife with respect, but sadly there are always a few exceptions, as the video below demonstrates.

The video, which was shared via Instagram account TouronsOfYellowstone last week, shows a man strolling up to a particularly large bison grazing near a restaurant. Rather than enjoying watching the animal from the safety of a nearby terrace, he stands just a couple of meters away, risking his own safety to record it on his phone.

In this case the animal chose to ignore him, but not all visitors who get too close are so lucky. Every year people are seriously injured by bison, and in 2023 two people were hospitalized within a week after being gored by the animals at US National Parks. Both survived, but suffered serious abdominal injuries.

Around 5,400 bison were counted at Yellowstone in 2021, and they can be seen year-round in the Hayden and Lamar valleys. In the winter, they can also be spotted seeking warmth in the park's hydrothermal areas. and along the Madison River. Blacktail Deer Plateau, Tower, and the Gardiner Basin.

Males (known as bulls) can weigh up to 2,000lb, and females (also called cows) can weigh as much as 1,000lb. They can move at speeds up to 30mph and are surprisingly agile for their size, so it's wise to give them plenty of space.

The National Park Service recommends staying at least 25 yards (23 meters) away at all times, and using a long camera lens or binoculars to appreciate the animals from a safe distance. For more advice, see our guide how to avoid being gored by a bison.

Visiting Yellowstone

If you're planning a visit to Yellowstone soon, West Entrance to Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Junction to Canyon Village, Canyon Village to Lake Village and the East Entrance are all open for the summer season. Additional park roads will open throughout this month, weather permitting.

Looking for ideas for what to do when you arrive? Our guide to the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park will get you started on the right foot.

• Get a free 148-page ebook celebrating the world's greatest National Parks

A drunken tourist from Idaho who kicked a Yellowstone bison that then attacked and injured him has been arrested and could face thousands of dollars in fines and / or jail time.

Yellowstone National Park has issued a statement saying on April 21 rangers responded to call reporting that a man was harassing a herd of bison seven miles east of the park’s west entrance.

Witnesses claimed 40-year-old Clarence Yoder, of Idaho Falls, reportedly kicked one bison in the leg then the bison turned on Yoder and gored him. (If you’re not drunk, here’s how to avoid being gored by a bison.)

Yoder had already left the scene in a car driven by another man, but rangers caught up with the car and stopped the  in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Yoder was arrested and charged with being under the influence of alcohol, disorderly conduct, approaching wildlife and disturbing wildlife. The driver of the vehicle Yoder traveled in, 37-year-old McKenna Bass, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was also arrested for driving under the influence, interference for failure to yield to emergency light activation and disturbing wildlife.

The exact nature of Yoder’s injury was not revealed but described as “minor”. Rangers took him to a medical facility where he was medically evaluated, treated and released from medical care before being transported to the Gallatin County Detention Center. 

Yoder and Bass appeared in court on April 22 and pleaded innocent to the charges. If found guilty, Yoder could face fines of up to $5,000 and six months in jail.

This is the first reported incident of a visitor being injured by a bison in Yellowstone in 2024 (the last happened in July last year) which is pretty amazing considering how foolishly some tourists act around bison, despite warnings to keep their distance. 

The National Park Service (NPS) warns visitors to always stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from bison and elk, and 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves. The safest place to watch animals is from inside your vehicle – though a bison can still do serious damage to a car if aggravated.

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