News Release
NPS / Jacob W. Frank
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Contact: Yellowstone Public Affairs, (307) 344-2015
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – On Monday morning, July 28, a 17-year-old male suffered significant thermal burns to his foot and ankle area in the vicinity of Lone Star Geyser near Old Faithful.The juvenile was on a hike in the thermal area when 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. This incident is under investigation and there is no additional information to share.
Visitors: Stay safe in thermal areas
Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations. Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs.
- Always walk on boardwalks and designated trails. Keep children close and do not let them run on boardwalks.
- Do not touch thermal features or runoff.
- Swimming or soaking in hot springs is prohibited. More than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone’s hot springs.
- Pets are prohibited in thermal areas.
- Do not throw objects into hot springs or other hydrothermal features.
- Toxic gases may accumulate to dangerous levels in some hydrothermal areas. If you begin to feel sick while exploring one of our geyser basins, leave the area immediately.
Editor’s note: No photos of this incident are available. Stock photos of Lone Star Geyser can be found on Flickr.
Learn More
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SafetyStay on boardwalks, keep a safe distance from wildlife, store food properly—Yellowstone safety tips to protect you and the park.
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Hydrothermal FeaturesLearn about hot springs, geysers, mudpots, and fumaroles.
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PetsActivities with pets are very limited in Yellowstone.
Last updated: July 29, 2025