Texas Man Sentenced To Jail Time For Walking On Fragile Hydrothermal Features At Yellowstone National Park
A Texas man was sentenced to five days behind bars after he pleaded guilty to walking off the designated boardwalk in a thermal area in Yellowstone National Park.
Eric Bedient, 50, of Frisco, Texas was sentenced to 120 hours of incarceration on March 31, 2026, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick. According to court documents, Mr. Bedient disregarded park rules and walked directly on several fragile and dangerous hydrothermal features in the Mammoth Hot Springs area.
Those features included Canary Spring, Mound Terrace, Palette Hot Spring, and Jupiter Terrace. The sentence reflected the extensive nature of violation, the damage Bedient’s footprints left behind, and Bedient’s failure to educate himself about Yellowstone National Park’s regulations.
“Yellowstone’s thermal areas are among the most dangerous natural features in the world. Mr. Bedient’s disregard for the law could have cost him his life. Prosecuting crimes like this deters others from similar conduct—and from risking becoming thermal soup. We will continue to hold individuals accountable to protect lives and preserve this unique, irreplaceable landscape when their actions threaten these national treasures for future generations.” -U.S. Attorney Darin Smith
The crime was investigated by Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Reminder For Yellowstone National Park Visitors:
- Stay on boardwalks
Always walk on boardwalks and designated trails. Keep children close and do not let them run on boardwalks.
- Don’t touch thermal features or runoff
Even thermal runoff can be extremely hot and cause burns. Hot springs also contain algae, bacteria, and fungi found nowhere else in the world; coming in contact with these life forms can destroy them. Resist the temptation to touch!
- Swimming or soaking in hot springs is prohibited
More than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone’s hot springs. For your safety and for the protection of thermal features in Yellowstone, it is illegal to swim or bathe in any water that is entirely of thermal origin.
- Pets are prohibited in thermal areas
Pets are not allowed in thermal areas or on boardwalks, even if they’re on a leash or carried in arms, strollers, or backpacks. This policy exists to protect our pets from being burned or killed in hot springs. Trained service animals that perform tasks directly related to a person’s disability are allowed throughout the park and in all park facilities. They must be leashed at all times.
Yellowstone Hydrothermal Safety FAQ:
Is it really dangerous to walk off the boardwalk in geyser basins?
Yes. Geyser basins constantly change, making it impossible to identify a safe path. The ground may be a thin crust over boiling water or scalding mud, and some pools are acidic enough to burn through boots. Many people have been injured after breaking through the surface, and some have died after falling into hydrothermal features.
Why can’t I bring my dog on geyser basin trails?
Dogs do not recognize the danger of hot water and have died after jumping into hot springs. They can also disturb wildlife and are not allowed on park trails.
Why can’t I smoke in the geyser basins?
Litter, including cigarette butts, can clog hydrothermal vents and damage these features. Sulfur deposits in these areas are also highly flammable and can produce dangerous, sometimes deadly fumes if ignited.
Why isn’t swimming allowed in the hot springs?
Water in hydrothermal features can be extremely hot and highly acidic. It may also contain microorganisms that can cause serious or fatal illnesses, including meningitis or Legionnaires’ disease.
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