Michigan Man Banned From Yellowstone Park After Getting Severe Burns Walking Through Thermal Area Of Park While Under The Influence

Yellowstone National Park, also known as the world’s first national park, is a popular destination to visit during the summer months, boasting more geysers and hot springs than anywhere else on Earth. But not all places in this park are reported as safe to travel on foot.

Michigan resident Jason D. Wicks, 49, recently exited the park with extensive burns after walking through the dangerous hydrothermal regions of the park under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

Wicks was arraigned in federal court last week. He is facing “criminal charges of off-trail travel in a Yellowstone National Park thermal area and being under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the degree he was a danger to himself or others,” according to a press release.

Wicks has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Wicks is banned from Yellowstone National Park, as well as Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming as a temporary punishment. A trial date for this court case is still yet to have been set.

Yellowstone National Park officers reported that visitors must be sure to “remain on boardwalks and trails and exercise extreme caution” when visiting the thermal areas of the park. The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin,” and scorching hot water lies directly beneath the surface.

Yellowstone National Park’s website has distinctly declared that “hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature,” while also stating how the scalding water can be the cause of “severe or fatal burns.”