A Texas man will have to spend five days in jail for walking on the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.

Eric Bedient, 50, of Frisco, Texas, received the sentence on March 31, during a roughly two-hour hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick.

According to federal prosecutors, Bedient and his 18-year-old son “walked directly on several fragile and dangerous hydrothermal features” on Nov. 8. The pair left footprints in a large area around Canary Spring, Mound Terrace, Palette Hot Spring and Jupiter Terrace. Park officials say that included walking up to the edge of the pools at Canary Spring, where the men’s shoes sunk as much as 4.7 inches into the earth.

Bedient pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of thermal trespass as part of a deal with prosecutors.

“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,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office wrote in a news release.

Park rangers also cited Bedient’s son for thermal trespass, and prosecutors initially indicated that they wanted jail time for the teen as well. However, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said it ultimately agreed to drop the son’s charge as part of its deal with Bedient, who accepted responsibility for the violation and damage.

In a report presented in court, Park Geologist Jefferson Hungerford said the damage to the terraces was “significant and will remain until hydrothermal waters flow over them, which could be months to decades away.”

He added that the carbonate terrace structures can be very fragile and easily destroyed by foot traffic.

“If more people were to walk in these prohibited areas, these terrace features would cease to exist,” Hungerford wrote.

In the news release, U.S. Attorney Darin Smith noted both the irreplaceable nature of Yellowstone’s landscapes and the dangers of its thermal features.

“Mr. Bedient’s disregard for the law could have cost him his life,” Smith said. “Prosecuting crimes like this deters others from similar conduct — and from risking becoming thermal soup.”

Bedient has until the end of October to serve his five-day sentence at a facility near his hometown.