Park rangers aren't the only people who help to enforce rules at Yellowstone National Park.
When one tourist decided to ignore guidance that calls for visitors to stay on designated boardwalks around the park's hot springs, fellow visitors had to intervene and loudly warn them of the danger they had put themselves in.
Jerry Kromer (@jfkromer) posted a picture of the incident on Instagram, noting that it took place on Firehole Lake Drive.
"It took yelling and screaming at this touron to get him back on the boardwalk," they captioned the post. "So dangerous what he was doing."
A "touron" is a portmanteau of "tourist" and "moron," and while slightly harsh to make a point, it's hard to argue that what this individual did was particularly smart.
According to the National Park Service, Yellowstone has more than 10,000 hydrothermal features, including over 500 geysers. The water in these features can exceed the boiling point, and some are even acidic.
Get cost-effective air conditioning in less than an hour without expensive electrical work The Merino Mono is a heating and cooling system designed for the rooms traditional HVAC can't reach. The streamlined design eliminates clunky outdoor units, installs in under an hour, and plugs into a standard 120V outlet — no expensive electrical upgrades required. And while a traditional “mini-split” system can get pricey fast, the Merino Mono comes with a flat-rate price — with hardware and professional installation included. |
That's why Yellowstone requires visitors to stay on designated boardwalks and trails and pleads for tourists not to touch the thermal features or runoff. Sadly, more than 20 people have died from burns or after falling into hot springs at the park.
The geological features surrounding them are also extremely delicate, and walking on them can lead to unnecessary destruction of formations that have developed over millions of years.
🗣️ Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty?
🔘 Definitely 👍
🔘 Only in some areas ☝️
🔘 No way 👎
🔘 I'm not sure 🤷
🗳️ Click your choice to see results and speak your mind
It shouldn't have to be the responsibility of parkgoers to ensure fellow visitors are following rules. Taking time in nature should be a relaxing experience, and having to essentially police other parkgoers can lead to a lot of stress.
If more people can't seem to follow necessary guidance, it's likely Yellowstone could restrict viewing access to others in the interest of safety.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
"You can see that thermal behind him literally boiling," said one stunned Instagrammer.
"Follow the rules, Americans!" added another.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
