A New Hampshire woman suffered third-degree burns at Yellowstone National Park this week after accidentally breaking the crust of a hot spring pool and plunging her leg into the scalding water, according to the National Park Service.
It is the first known injury this year caused by Yellowstone's hot springs, which have claimed at least 22 lives since 1890, park officials said.
But these boiling pools of water aren't the only dangers lurking in the park: Bears have killed at least eight park visitors and more than 100 people have died in Yellowstone's lakes and rivers, according to park data.
Park officials said the hot pool incident serves as a reminder for visitors to review the 10 rules of what is called the Yellowstone Pledge to protect themselves from hot pools, bears, bison and other potential dangers in the park.
The 60-year-old woman was injured Monday while hiking off-trail near Mallard Lake Trailhead and the iconic Old Faithful geyser, park officials said. In doing so, she was breaking the second rule of the oath: “Stick to the beaten path.”
“In hot spring areas, boardwalks take you to amazing places, protect the park and keep you safe,” the pledge says. “People have suffered serious burns and died after stepping off the boardwalk or into hot water.”
Although the ground surrounding hydrothermal areas may appear solid, it is often fragile and boiling water lurks just beneath the surface. The woman broke through the crust and suffered second- and third-degree burns on her lower leg, park officials said.
The woman was evaluated at a park medical clinic and transported by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for further treatment, park officials said. The woman was visiting the park from Windsor, New Hampshire, along with her husband and dog, neither of whom were injured.
Park officials also reminded visitors that pets are prohibited on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the countryside and in hot spring areas.
These rules are intended to protect pets from predators such as bears and coyotes and from thermal burns. They are also designed to protect the park's wildlife from diseases transmitted by domestic animals.
Visitors should also be aware that toxic gases can reach dangerous levels in hot spring areas, and park officials suggest that visitors leave the area immediately if they begin to feel ill.
In addition to the deadly pools, bison, bears and elk have killed park visitors, according to the oath. In March 2022, a Montana hiker died after being attacked by a grizzly bear north of Yellowstone, officials said. On June 1, a bison gored an 83-year-old woman from Greenville, South Carolina, lifting her about a foot off the ground near Yellowstone Lake, park officials said.
Visitors are warned to stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards from all other animals, and to never feed any wild animal.
One of the most important bear safety tips is to always walk in groups.
According to park data, since 1970, 91 percent of people injured by bears in Yellowstone were hiking alone or with one other person. Only 9 percent of people injured by bears were in groups of three or more people.
All park visitors are encouraged to carry bear spray and store trash in the park's bear-resistant containers.
