A young explorer suffering severe burns occurred during a hike within Yellowstone's thermal region
Yellowstone National Park: A 17-year-old Suffers Thermal Injury near Lone Star Geyser
In a concerning incident, a 17-year-old hiker sustained severe burns to his lower extremity while walking in Yellowstone National Park on July 28, 2025. The incident occurred near the Lone Star Geyser, near Old Faithful, marking the first thermal injury reported in the park this year.
The National Park Service (NPS) has emphasized the importance of safety around thermal features in Yellowstone, given the fragile ground and extremely hot water beneath the surface. Visitors are strongly advised to adhere to safety protocols to prevent such incidents.
Key safety recommendations include walking on designated boardwalks and trails, keeping children close and not letting them run on boardwalks, never touching thermal features or runoff, and strictly prohibiting swimming or soaking in hot springs. Pets are banned from thermal areas, trails, and boardwalks to reduce the risk, and visitors are advised not to throw objects into hot springs or other hydrothermal features. Toxic gases can accumulate in geyser basins, so if visitors feel ill, they should immediately leave the area.
The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, which can give way unexpectedly, exposing scalding water just beneath the surface. This was tragically demonstrated in the latest injury, reinforcing the importance of adhering to established safety protocols.
The NPS is currently investigating whether the teenager was hiking off the boardwalks, which have been put in place to protect visitors. The hiker's identity remains unidentified, and the Park Service has not yet mentioned whether the teenager was wearing appropriate hiking gear, such as boots or trekking poles.
Emergency medical staff responded to the incident, and the hiker was transported to a hospital for further treatment. The Lone Star Geyser, which erupts up to 45 feet (13.7 m) from a 12-foot (3.6 m) cone approximately every three hours, remains open to visitors.
If you're planning on visiting the park this year, you can learn more about hot spring safety at Yellowstone in our article. The NPS urges all park visitors to remain on boardwalks and to keep a good distance from all thermal pools and geysers to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
- The incident at Yellowstone National Park serves as a reminder of the significance of workplace-wellness education, emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety protocols in unfamiliar environments.
- In the aftermath of the thermal injury, health-and-wellness advocates are calling for increased awareness about the dangers of climate change, specifically the potential rise in hazardous conditions in natural habitats.
- Fitness-and-exercise enthusiasts can help mitigate the risks associated with such incidents by ensuring they are physically prepared for the challenges presented by outdoor recreational activities.
- With the increasing reports of sexual-health issues among teenagers, it's crucial to promote comprehensive sex education and address the stigma surrounding discussions about reproductive health.
- Mental-health professionals are watching the case closely, analyzing the psychological impact of such accidents on the affected individual and his family, to better understand and support victims of traumatic events.
- In the realm of mens-health, various organizations are working tirelessly to combat stereotypes and encourage open conversations about issues like prostate cancer and mental health.
- Skin-care experts advise using sunscreen and protective clothing while visiting parks like Yellowstone to prevent sunburns and other skin-related issues caused by prolonged sun exposure.
- Therapies-and-treatments, such as physical therapy and counseling, have become essential components in the recovery and coping process for those affected by accidents like the one that occurred in Yellowstone.
- As the global community grapples with aging populations, the importance of proper nutrition in maintaining both physical and mental wellbeing becomes increasingly apparent.
- In the realm of womens-health, parenting, medicare, and environmental-science, hard conversations are being had about the implications of car-accidents and general-news incidents on a broader scale, and what steps can be taken to ensure a safer, healthier world for future generations.
