Which is More Dangerous in Yellowstone: Animals or Hot Springs?

If you asked the average person what causes the most injuries in Yellowstone National Park, they'd likely say animal attacks. Surprisingly, that's not the case.

Elk, bears, bison, and wolves all roam the park, and with over 4.5 million visitors in 2023, there's no shortage of tourists making risky choices—like trying to pet fluffy cows. But while wildlife encounters make headlines, the real danger lurking in Yellowstone is something far less expected: its the beautiful hot springs.

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Here's a surprising fact you might find interesting. Since 1872, only 2 people have been killed from bison and 8 from bear attacks in the park. Hot spring related injuries are in the 100's and 22 people have died from the boiling water.

Yellowstone's hydrothermal springs are responsible for twice as many deaths as animal attacks.

What would happen if you fell into a Yellowstone Hot Spring?

The gorgeous hot pools of turquoise and emerald green may look like a fantastic place for a dip, but the result would be death. Though some pools are hotter than others, some stay around 185°F. So if you fall in, you would feel an excruciating amount of pain until your nervous system is destroyed.

The acidity of the pools varies as well, but pools like the Norris Geyser Basin are incredibly acidic, with a PH value of around 2. A man did fall into this particular pool recently, and his body was dissolved.

Stay on trails!

When visiting Yellowstone, stay on the trails! One woman learned this the hard way while hiking with her husband and dog—she stepped on what looked like solid ground but fell through a thin crust into scalding water below. She survived but suffered severe burns and had to be airlifted to the hospital.

If you're heading to Yellowstone this year, remember—while the wildlife deserves respect, the real danger lies in the park’s deceptively beautiful hot springs.

Staying on marked trails and following park guidelines isn’t just about rules—it’s about making sure you live to tell the tale.

Credit: USGS.gov , eastIdahoNews , forbes