Incident Details
On the afternoon of May 4, 2026, two hikers were injured by one or more bears on the Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. National Park Service emergency services personnel responded to the incident. The names, ages, and severity of injuries of the hikers were not immediately released. The specific bear species involved was not disclosed, though Yellowstone is home to both grizzly and black bears. The incident remains under investigation.
Historical Context
This was the first incident of a bear injuring a person in Yellowstone in 2026. The last time a visitor was injured by a bear in the park was in September 2025. The last human fatality caused by a bear in Yellowstone occurred in 2015 in the Lake Village area of the park.
Park Closures
Following the incident, Yellowstone implemented temporary closures pending completion of the investigation. The closure area extends west of Grand Loop Road from the north end of Fountain Flat Drive to Black Sand Basin. Closed trails include Fairy Falls Trail north of the Grand Prismatic Overlook, Sentinel Meadows Trail, Imperial Meadows Trail, Fairy Creek Trail, and Summit Lake Trail. Backcountry campsites OG1, OD1, OD2, OD3, OD4, and OD5 are also closed, along with fishing along the Firehole River and associated tributaries within the closure area. The Midway Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail portions remain open.
Safety Recommendations
Park officials provided guidance for visitors on bear safety, including staying 100 yards away from bears at all times, carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it, hiking in groups of three or more people, avoiding hiking at dawn, dusk, or night when grizzlies are most active, and not running from a bear. Visitors are advised to be alert for signs of bears such as fresh tracks, scat, feeding sites, and other evidence of bear activity. 
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