Two hikers were injured in a bear attack on Monday on the Mystic Falls trail near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, according to park officials. The National Park Service said the hikers were attacked by “one or more bears,” though the species has not been confirmed. The area is home to both grizzly and black bears.
Emergency services responded to the incident, which remains under investigation. No further details have been released. The attack is the first bear-related injury to a visitor in Yellowstone this year; the previous incident occurred in September 2025. The last fatal bear attack in the park was in 2015.
Craig Lerman, a tourist from Maryland, told Cowboy State Daily that he encountered one of the injured hikers on the trail. He heard the man calling for help and found him with a bloody hat and a torn-off watch. Lerman called 911, stayed with the hiker, and gave him his T-shirt to keep warm until first responders arrived. A helicopter later evacuated the injured hikers to a hospital.
In response to the attack, the park service temporarily closed several trails and areas near Old Faithful.
