Take the Yellowstone Pledge

Officials hope to make visitors more aware of Yellowstone’s lurking dangers.

In a concerted effort to keep visitors safe and aware of Yellowstone’s dangers, Yellowstone officials launched the Yellowstone Pledge in May 2017. The pledge is not a formal pledge, but a list of guidelines Yellowstone officials hope will remind people that a walk in the park can be dangerous. Here is the pledge.

Take the pledge. Tell a friend. Protect the park.

The Yellowstone Pledge is a personal promise you can make to yourself and the park. It can be taken anywhere: it doesn’t need to be taken out loud or in front of anyone. Tag #YellowstonePledge and encourage others to do the same.

To be a steward and help protect myself and the park, I pledge to:

• Practice safe selfies by never approaching animals to take a picture.
• Stay on boardwalks in thermal areas.
• Protect hot springs by not throwing anything into them.
• Park in designated areas and avoid blocking traffic.
• Stay with my car if I’m stuck in a wildlife jam.
• Follow speed limits and pull over to let cars pass.
• Travel safely in bear country by carrying bear spray, making noise, and hiking in groups.
• Keep my food away from animals.
• Recycle what I can and put my garbage in bear-proof containers.
• Report resource violations by calling 911 or talking to a ranger.