Two Hikers Injured in First Bear Attack of 2026 at Yellowstone, Prompting Widespread Closures

Key facts

• Attack occurred Monday afternoon on Mystic Falls Trail, a popular route near Old Faithful.
• Two hikers were injured; their conditions and whether they were together have not been released.
• This is the first bear attack resulting in injuries in Yellowstone in 2026.
• Last similar incident was in September 2025 on Turbid Lake Trail northeast of Yellowstone Lake.
• Last fatal bear attack inside the park was in 2015.
• Yellowstone hosts both grizzly and black bears; species involved is under investigation.
• Closures include multiple trails, six backcountry campsites, and fishing along the Firehole River.
• Park receives over 4 million visitors annually; bear attacks remain rare.

Attack on a Popular Trail

Two hikers were attacked by one or more bears Monday afternoon on the Mystic Falls Trail, a heavily traveled route just miles from Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful geyser. The trail features a loop to a 70-foot waterfall and is near the Midway Geyser Basin, making it a frequent destination for visitors. Emergency crews from the National Park Service responded quickly after the encounter. Officials described the event as a single incident involving one or more bears, but have not yet identified the species — whether grizzly or black bear — as part of the ongoing investigation. The attack marks the first bear attack resulting in injuries in Yellowstone in 2026. The last such incident occurred in September 2025, when a 29-year-old man was attacked on the Turbid Lake Trail near Yellowstone Lake’s Mary Bay.

Widespread Closures and Safety Measures

In response to the attack, park officials have temporarily closed a large swath of the area west of Grand Loop Road, from the north end of Fountain Flat Drive to Black Sand Basin. The closures affect multiple trails, including Fairy Falls Trail north of the Grand Prismatic Overlook, Sentinel Meadows Trail, Imperial Meadows Trail, Fairy Creek Trail, and Summit Lake Trail. Six backcountry campsites — OG1, OD1, OD2, OD3, OD4, and OD5 — are also closed, as is fishing along the Firehole River and its associated tributaries within the closure zone. The Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail is closed beyond the overlook, though the Midway Geyser Basin, Black Sand Basin, and the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail from Fairy Falls to the overlook remain open. Park officials urge visitors to stay at least 100 yards away from bears at all times, carry bear spray and know how to use it, and remain alert for signs of bear activity such as fresh tracks, scat, and feeding sites. Hiking in groups of three or more people and avoiding dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours — when grizzlies are most active — are strongly recommended.

Investigation Underway

The National Park Service is investigating the incident to determine what went wrong and to identify the bear or bears involved. Officials have not released details about the hikers’ conditions or whether they were traveling together. A park press release stated that no additional information is available at this time. Determining the species of bear — grizzly or black bear — is a key part of the investigation. Grizzlies are generally larger and more aggressive than black bears, and the distinction could influence management decisions. The last fatal bear attack inside Yellowstone occurred in 2015, underscoring the rarity of such events despite the park’s high visitation.

Rarity of Attacks in a High-Visitation Park

Yellowstone attracts more than 4 million visitors each year, yet bear attacks resulting in injuries remain extremely rare. The 2025 incident on Turbid Lake Trail was the most recent before Monday’s attack. That event involved a 29-year-old man who was injured but survived. The park is home to both grizzly and black bears, with an estimated 150 grizzlies and 500 black bears residing within its boundaries. Encounters are common, but attacks are infrequent, often linked to surprise encounters or defensive behavior when bears are protecting cubs or food sources.

What Comes Next

The closures will remain in effect pending completion of the investigation. Park officials have not provided a timeline for reopening the affected areas. Visitors are advised to check the park’s website or contact Yellowstone Public Affairs for updates. As the investigation continues, questions remain about the specific circumstances of the attack, the species involved, and the condition of the two hikers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in recreating in bear country, even on well-traveled trails.

The bottom line

• Two hikers were injured in a bear attack on Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful on Monday, the first such incident in Yellowstone in 2026.
• The National Park Service has closed multiple trails, six backcountry campsites, and fishing areas in the vicinity as it investigates.
• The species of bear involved — grizzly or black — has not yet been determined.
• Bear attacks in Yellowstone are rare despite over 4 million annual visitors; the last fatal attack was in 2015.
• Park officials emphasize safety measures: maintain 100-yard distance, carry bear spray, hike in groups of three or more, and avoid active times at dawn, dusk, and night.
• The investigation is ongoing, and no additional details about the hikers’ conditions or the bear(s) have been released.