Tourists Encounter A Herd Of Bison On Wintery Yellowstone Tour

Lisa Long Giles / Storyful Rights Management / YouTube

A group of tourists got more than they bargained for while snowmobiling through Yellowstone National Park.

During the winter months, Yellowstone bans regular traffic. Instead, the park offers large tours while guests ride snowmobiles in an organized line. During each visit, guests are asked not to stray from the given path. Still, on a recent tour, several snowmobilers were probably tempted to break the rules.

In a shared video, a long line of tourists came within feet of a herd of bison. While the bison remained relatively calm around the snowmobiles, the engine’s roar did appear to spook a few of the closest animals. Later in the video, multiple bison are also seen crossing the tourists’ line to reach another part of the herd.

While the bison might seem harmless, the large mammals have caused more injuries than any other animal at Yellowstone. Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run up to 30 miles an hour. Typically, it is recommended that guests keep their distance from the animals.

Watch the tourists’ experience in the video below.

For more on the incredible animals that roam Yellowstone National Park, check out the next video.