On the morning of July 28th, 2025, a 17-year-old male sustained significant thermal burns to his foot and ankle near Lone Star Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, close to Old Faithful. The incident occurred when the juvenile, hiking in the thermal area, broke through a thin crust, exposing his foot to scalding water. Emergency medical staff responded promptly, transporting him to a hospital for further treatment. The incident is under investigation, with no additional details available at this time.Yellowstone officials are urging visitors to prioritize safety in thermal areas, where scalding water and fragile ground pose serious risks. The park emphasizes the following guidelines:
- Stay on boardwalks and designated trails to protect yourself and delicate thermal formations.
- Keep children close and prevent them from running on boardwalks.
- Do not touch thermal features or their runoff.
- Swimming or soaking in hot springs is prohibited, as more than 20 people have died from burns in Yellowstone’s thermal waters.
- Pets are not allowed in thermal areas.
- Avoid throwing objects into hydrothermal features.
- Leave areas immediately if feeling ill, as toxic gases can accumulate in geyser basins.
This is the first reported thermal injury in Yellowstone in 2025, following the last incident in September 2024. For more information on staying safe in thermal areas, visit nps.gov/yell.
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