The body of a missing hiker was discovered Wednesday in Glacier National Park, Montana, with authorities suspecting a bear attack as the cause of death. The remains were found approximately 2.5 miles up the Mt. Brown Trail, about 50 feet off the trail in a densely wooded area with downed timber. Officials stated the injuries were consistent with those sustained in a bear encounter. The park has closed the trail as wildlife and law enforcement assess the area for ongoing bear activity. The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
In a separate incident, two hikers in Yellowstone National Park were seriously injured in a bear attack earlier this week. The hikers, possibly brothers, were airlifted to a nearby hospital, with one listed in serious condition and the other in critical condition. The attack occurred on the Mystic Falls Trail, which had been closed until 2024 to reduce conflicts with grizzlies. The last fatal bear attack in Yellowstone was in 2015, when a solo hiker was killed by a grizzly bear with cubs.
Both incidents highlight the risks of bear encounters in national parks, where black bears and grizzlies are common. Experts recommend hikers carry bear spray and know how to respond if they encounter a bear, such as lying down and playing dead in certain situations. The last reported bear-related injury in Glacier National Park occurred in August 2025, when a female hiker was attacked by a grizzly with cubs near Lake Janet.