MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY- Two hikers were injured by one or more bears on the afternoon of May 4 along the Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.
The National Park Service says emergency personnel responded to the incident, which remains under investigation. No additional details are available at this time.
This marks the first bear-related injury in Yellowstone in 2026. The last reported injury occurred in September 2025, and the most recent fatal bear attack in the park was in 2015 in the Lake Village area.
Several areas are temporarily closed while the investigation continues, including the area west of Grand Loop Road from the north end of Fountain Flat Drive to Black Sand Basin. Closures also include multiple trails and backcountry sites such as Fairy Falls Trail (north of the Grand Prismatic Overlook), Sentinel Meadows Trail, Imperial Meadows Trail, Fairy Creek Trail, Summit Lake Trail, and campsites OG1 through OD5. Fishing is also closed along the Firehole River and nearby tributaries within the closure zone.
Open areas include Midway Geyser Basin, Black Sand Basin, the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail up to the overlook, and portions of the Firehole River outside the closure area.
Park officials are reminding visitors to stay safe in bear country by following these guidelines:
- Stay at least 100 yards away from bears
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it
- Stay alert and watch for signs of bears such as tracks, scat, digging, overturned rocks, and disturbed ant hills
- Make noise while hiking
- Hike in groups of three or more people
- Avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or night when bears are most active
- Never run from a bear