Two hikers were injured in a bear encounter on Yellowstone’s Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful on May 4, 2026. Yellowstone National Park reported on July 6 that the remaining temporary closures related to the incident had been lifted. That was the park’s status on July 6—not a guarantee that the trail is open today—so check current conditions before setting out.
What happened on the Mystic Falls Trail
The encounter occurred on the afternoon of May 4, 2026, near Old Faithful. Yellowstone National Park’s July 6 update said two hikers were injured by one or more bears and identified the involved animal as an adult female grizzly with cubs. The park said emergency services responded and initially described the incident as under investigation. It did not publish the hikers’ identities, detailed injuries, or a complete account of how the encounter unfolded. Yellowstone’s incident update
Is Mystic Falls Trail open after the bear encounter?
Yellowstone said it lifted the remaining temporary trail, backcountry campsite, and fishing closures imposed in response to the bear incident on July 6, 2026. Staff surveyed the trail and surrounding area and reported no recent bear activity, including fresh tracks, scat, or feeding sites. These findings explain the park’s decision at that time; conditions can change, so consult Yellowstone’s current trail and backcountry status reports before your hike.
The park also noted that the separate Biscuit Basin closure related to the 2024 hydrothermal explosion remained in place. It is not one of the bear-incident closures and should not be mistaken for a trail restriction imposed because of this encounter.
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What Yellowstone’s bear-injury figures do—and do not—show
In its July 6, 2026 update, the National Park Service called this the first incident of a bear injuring a person in Yellowstone in 2026. The park said the previous visitor injury by a bear occurred in September 2025, and the last human fatality caused by a bear in Yellowstone was in 2015. These are historical figures reported by the park, not a measure of an individual hiker’s odds or a prediction about future encounters. The update does not provide a quantified attack rate for hiking off trail. NPS incident and safety update
How to prepare for a Yellowstone hike in bear country
- Check conditions immediately before leaving. Closures and trail status can change; use the park’s current trail and backcountry reports rather than relying on an earlier update.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Yellowstone recommends carrying it. The park says bear spray is sold at park gift shops, outdoor stores, service stations, and bookstores, as well as in nearby communities. Follow the directions on your specific canister and review the park’s bear-spray instructions.
- Stay alert and make noise. Hike in a group of three or more when possible. Avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or night, and do not run from a bear.
- Keep at least 100 yards from bears. Yellowstone’s instruction is: “Stay 100 yards away from bears at all times.”
- Remain on maintained trails. NPS says Yellowstone research has found people are more likely to be attacked by a bear when hiking off trail, though the park passage does not identify the study or quantify the difference. See Yellowstone Backcountry Safety.
What to do if a bear charges
Yellowstone’s safety page advises removing the bear-spray safety clip, pointing the nozzle slightly down, accounting for crosswind, and spraying when the bear is 30–60 feet (9–18 m) away to create a wall between you and the bear. Review the park’s full instructions and your canister’s directions before your trip; spray guidance is not a guarantee of safety. Yellowstone bear-spray guidance
Quick Recap
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- PROTECTION FROM A SAFE DISTANCE: Powerful spray deploys a dense 6ft-wide fog with an effective range up to 40 feet (12 m), with 6-7 seconds of total spray time, giving you more time and space to react to a bear attack or deter a charging mountain lion
- FAST, RELIABLE ACCESS IN BEAR COUNTRY: Quiet quick‑draw elastic belt holster for a secure & accessible carry while hiking or camping, the glow‑in‑the‑dark safety clip helps locate the spray at night, the bell helps to warn bears that you’re in the area
- EVERY BATCH VERIFIED FOR PERFORMANCE: Manufactured in the USA and HPLC lab tested to verify strength and consistency in every batch. Features a glow-in-the-dark safety wedge for fast identification in low-light conditions
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- PROTECTION FROM A SAFE DISTANCE: Powerful spray deploys a dense 6ft-wide fog with an effective range up to 40 feet (12 m), with 6-7 seconds of total spray time, giving you more time and space to react to a bear attack or deter a charging mountain lion
- FAST, RELIABLE ACCESS IN BEAR COUNTRY: Quiet quick‑draw elastic belt holster for a secure & accessible carry while hiking or camping, the glow‑in‑the‑dark safety clip helps locate the spray at night, the bell helps to warn bears that you’re in the area
- EVERY BATCH VERIFIED FOR PERFORMANCE: Manufactured in the USA and HPLC lab tested to verify strength and consistency in every batch. Features a glow-in-the-dark safety wedge for fast identification in low-light conditions
- FIELD-TESTED & ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE: Federal EPA and Health Canada approved. Features eco-friendly 1234ze propellant and proven bear deterrent performance, delivering trusted protection without long-term environmental impact
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
