Wyoming is home to some of the nation’s most breathtaking National Parks. Perhaps most famous of all is Yellowstone National Park. It’s certainly the most famous national park to visit in Wyoming. Each year, this park welcomes millions of visitors from all over the world. Unfortunately, even though it’s one of the best parks in Wyoming, it’s also the site of tragic accidents. While the natural geysers and hot springs are mesmerizing, they’re equally unforgiving and make for a harsh climate. If you’re looking for things to do outside in Wyoming, or for hiking trails in Wyoming, this park has it all – but be careful and be wise when visiting, too. Read on to learn more.

Jeremy Thies/flickr
Yellowstone National Park is considered to be one of the world’s earliest national parks, as it was signed into existence in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant. While the park is mostly in Wyoming, parts of it extend into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone is roughly 3,460 square miles in size.
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flickr/Clint Losee
From as early as the park’s existence, there have been many injuries in the grounds of this pristine wilderness. In total, there are over 10,000 hot springs and geysers. Visitors who get too close to these hot spots put themselves in danger, often underestimating the power of such immensely concentrated heat. One of the first deaths in the park happened when a 7-year old boy fell into a hot spring in 1890.

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Another young boy suffered the same cruel fate in 1970. Walking alongside his parents on a boardwalk, he tripped and fell into the nearly-boiling waters of Crested Pool. In 1980, a 24-year-old visitor from California suffered fatal third-degree burns after attempting to rescue a dog that had fallen into the Celestine Pool, whose waters reach a scalding 202 degrees.
Mark Kaletka/flickr
Not all burns experienced in the park are deadly, although they can cause serious damage. In the past 10 years, at least 16 visitors who were burned by hot springs or geysers were immediately flown out of the park and into Salt Lake City for intensive care.
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screaming_monkey/flickr
While Yellowstone has witnessed incredibly tragic fatalities, it is also important to remember that these incidents happen quite infrequently when you consider the amount of visitors to the park each year. That being said, it's always best to exercise extreme caution and take heed of the park's paved walkways and any advice or warnings from rangers.

As you can see from the above photographs, Yellowstone National Park is a breathtaking landmark and is a must-visit for anyone in Wyoming. Learning about its tragic history can ensure that visitors of the future have a safer and more informed experience. We want you to have a good time! Just know the dangers and be careful and you will.

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National Park To Visit In Wyoming

Christy Articola | July 24, 2022

Is Yellowstone the only dangerous national park to visit in Wyoming?

Actually, no. Grand Teton National Park is also quite dangerous. In fact, both parks have been named two of the most dangerous parks in the country. However, don't let that sway you. If you're wise and careful, you shouldn't have any problems. Millions of people visit these parks and have zero dangerous experiences. There's a very, very good chance that you won't either. Read more in this post: Wyoming Is Home To Two Of The Most Dangerous National Parks In The Country, According To A Study

The national parks are the only dangerous places in Wyoming though, right?

Actually, no, again. This state is big. You're often quite far from other humans and hospitals. There is a lot of dangerous wildlife in Wyoming, and also a lot of dangerous natural features. Wyoming can be dangerous! But again, just use your noggin and in most cases you'll be just fine. Check out this post, too: Here Are The 9 Most Dangerous, Deadly Places In Wyoming

What other dangers might I experience in the great state of Wyoming?

On a less serious note, there are a number of dangerous things in Wyoming that you should be aware of. Check out this list to learn about them: Here Are The 12 Biggest Risks Living In The State of Wyoming

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