Four million annual visitors navigate Yellowstone's wildlife safety protocols
Four million annual visitors create complex safety management demands in Yellowstone's bear habitat.
Event / Disaster
Yellowstone Bear Attack
Two hikers were injured in a bear attack on the Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park on Monday afternoon. Park officials closed multiple trails and backcountry campsites in the Midway Geyser Basin area while investigating. This is the first bear-related injury in the park in 2026.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 6 May, 00:37 UTC
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What happened
Two hikers injured in bear attack on Mystic Falls Trail in Yellowstone
Two hikers sustained injuries in a bear attack on Monday afternoon on the Mystic Falls Trail near the Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, approximately two miles northwest of Old Faithful geyser. The attack involved one or more bears, with the specific species not yet determined. The National Park Service responded quickly to the incident.
First bear-related injury in Yellowstone National Park in 2026
The bear attack marks the first incident resulting in injuries from a bear in Yellowstone National Park during 2026. The previous bear-related injury in the park occurred in September 2025 on the Turbid Lake Trail northeast of Yellowstone Lake, when a hiker suffered injuries to his chest and arm.
Yellowstone National Park closes trails and campsites following bear attack
Park officials temporarily closed a large area of Yellowstone National Park including multiple trails and backcountry campsites near the Midway Geyser Basin while investigating the bear attack. The closure encompasses at least five trails and several backcountry campsites as officials determine the circumstances of the incident.
Yellowstone National Park receives over 4 million visitors annually
Yellowstone National Park attracts more than 4 million visitors each year. Despite the high volume of tourism, bear attacks in the park are rare occurrences.
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2 alternative perspectives
Yellowstone closes trails and campsites after bear attack incident
Yellowstone closes trails and campsites following bear attack to protect visitors and manage wildlife.
Two hikers injured in bear encounter on Yellowstone trail
Two hikers injured in bear encounter on Yellowstone's Mystic Falls Trail, first 2026 incident.