A 12-year-old visitor was injured by a bison at Yellowstone National Park on June 26, the National Park Service said. The encounter occurred around 9:15 a.m. near Mud Volcano, just north of Fishing Bridge. Emergency medical personnel transported the child to a nearby hospital following the incident.
The child’s condition has not been released publicly. The incident remains under investigation and marks the first reported bison-related injury in Yellowstone in 2026. Park officials renewed warnings about wildlife safety in response to the encounter.
Encounter Occurred Near Popular Thermal Area
The Mud Volcano area, located just north of Fishing Bridge, sits along one of Yellowstone’s most visited thermal corridors and draws large numbers of visitors during the summer season. Bison frequently graze near roadways and trails in the area, increasing the likelihood of close encounters with park visitors. The National Park Service has not released additional details about how the encounter unfolded.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported the injured child to a hospital near the park for treatment. The National Park Service confirmed the incident in a statement and said the matter remains under review. No further updates on the child’s condition or the investigation have been issued.
Yellowstone draws millions of visitors annually during its peak summer travel season, and wildlife encounters involving bison, elk and other large animals typically increase during this period. Traffic congestion caused by roadside wildlife sightings, sometimes referred to as “bison jams,” is common throughout the park in June and July. Park rangers regularly patrol high-traffic wildlife areas to manage visitor behavior around animals.
Bison Injure More Visitors Than Any Other Yellowstone Animal
According to the National Park Service, bison have injured more visitors in Yellowstone than any other animal in the park’s history. Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans despite their large size. The animals will defend their space when they feel threatened, according to park officials.
Visitors are required to stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals in Yellowstone, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes. Yellowstone requires an even greater distance of at least 100 yards from bears, wolves and cougars. Park officials reiterated these distance requirements following the June 26 incident, as detailed in a CBS News report.
Yellowstone is home to one of the largest public bison herds in the United States, and the animals roam freely throughout the park’s roads, trails and geothermal basins. The National Park Service continues to advise visitors to view wildlife from a safe distance and to never approach animals for photographs. The agency said additional safety information is available on its official park website.
