Yellowstone reports grizzly attack Mystic Falls

Yellowstone National Park said two hikers were injured on May 4 in a bear attack on the Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful, the first reported incident in 2026 in which a bear injured a person in the park. Emergency responders, including law enforcement, emergency medical personnel and interagency partners, reached the scene and flew the hikers out by helicopter, the National Park Service said. A May 7 park update said the injured hikers were two males, ages 15 and 28. Park staff said evidence collected so far indicates a female grizzly bear with two or three cubs-of-the-year was involved. ### Where did the attack happen, and what has Yellowstone closed? The National Park Service said the attack happened on the Mystic Falls Trail, a popular route near the Old Faithful area in Yellowstone’s western section. In response, the park closed trails, backcountry campsites and fishing areas northwest of Old Faithful while the investigation continues. Yellowstone’s May 7 update said the closure area includes trails west of the Grand Loop Road from the north end of Fountain Flat Drive to Black Sand Basin. (nps.gov) The park listed closures on the Fairy Falls Trail north of the Grand Prismatic Overlook, Sentinel Meadows Trail, Imperial Meadows Trail, Fairy Creek Trail and Summit Lake Trail, along with backcountry campsites OG1 and OD1 through OD5 and fishing along the Firehole River and tributaries within the closure area. ### Who was injured, and what do officials say about the bear? Yellowstone said the injured hikers were ages 15 and 28 and were transported from the area by helicopter after responders provided aid. The park has not publicly identified them and said the incident remains under investigation. Park staff said evidence suggests a female grizzly bear with two or three cubs in their first year of life was involved in the encounter. (nps.gov) Officials have not released further details about the circumstances of the contact or whether the bear remained in the area after the attack. ### How unusual is this for Yellowstone this year? The National Park Service said this was the first incident in 2026 in which a bear injured a person in Yellowstone. (nps.gov) The agency said the last time a visitor was injured by a bear in the park was in September 2025. Yellowstone’s May 7 update said the last human fatality caused by a bear in the park occurred in 2015 in the Lake Village area. (nps.gov) The park did not characterize the May 4 injuries as life-threatening in the release. ### What does Yellowstone tell visitors to do in bear country? Yellowstone says all of the park is grizzly and black bear country, including trails, boardwalks and parking lots around Old Faithful. (nps.gov) The park tells visitors to follow posted closures and warns that entering closed areas can put both visitors and responders at risk. National Parks Traveler, citing Yellowstone’s guidance after the incident, said visitors are encouraged to stay at least 300 feet away from bears, carry bear spray and hike in groups of three or more. (nps.gov) The park’s safety page also says visitor safety cannot be guaranteed in Yellowstone’s backcountry and thermal areas. (nps.gov) ### Why are the closures still in place? The National Park Service said the temporary closures remain in place to allow investigators to examine the area and manage visitor safety near the Old Faithful region. The agency said there were no known visitors within the closed backcountry areas as of the May 7 update. Yellowstone said geyser basin boardwalk areas remain open even as the backcountry restrictions continue. (nationalparkstraveler.org) The park directed visitors seeking trail and campsite status to its Backcountry Conditions information and current park alerts while the investigation remains open. (nps.gov)