Missing Hiker Found Dead After Suspected Bear Attack in Montana’s Glacier National Park
The body of a missing hiker has been discovered in Montana’s Glacier National Park, with officials suspecting he may have been attacked by a bear.
The victim was found in the park by search and rescue crews at around 12 p.m. On Wednesday, May 6, according to a news release from the National Park Service posted on Thursday, May 7.
The man, who has not been named, was located around 2.5 miles up the Mount Brown Trail in a “densely forested area with downed timber,” around 50 feet off the path.
The park stated that his injuries were “consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Wildlife and law enforcement personnel are presently assessing the area for bear activity and any ongoing public safety concerns,” the release continued.
The National Park Service said it was withholding the identity of the victim until 72 hours after his next-of-kin had been informed.
The section of the trail where the suspected incident occurred has been temporarily closed off while authorities continue to investigate the incident. “The investigation is ongoing,” officials noted.
“Park staff are working to determine next steps based on field assessments and wildlife behavior monitoring,” the release continued, along with urging visitors to stay off closed trails.
The last deadly bear attack in the park occurred in 1998 in the Two Medicine Valley. A 34-year-old female hiker was hurt by a brown-colored bear in August 2025.
The bear, who had two cubs, charged toward the woman, causing her to dive off the trail while covering her head, per a Glacier National Park press release at the time.
The animal swiped at her, injuring her shoulder and arm, while the other hiker she was deployed with bear spray, causing the animal to run away.
There are two species of bears at Glacier National Park—black bears and grizzly bears.
Nearly 1,000 bears live within the gates of the park, including around 600 black bears and 300 grizzlies, also known as brown bears, per the glacier park collection website.
Glacier National Park in Montana was contacted for further comment by PEOPLE, but did not immediately respond.
Search-and-rescue crews found the hiker’s body around afternoon, the park said in a statement. His identity was not released.
The park said that “his injuries are consistent with those suffered by a bear encounter.”
“Wildlife and law enforcement personnel are currently assessing the area for bear activity and any ongoing public safety concerns. The investigation is underway,” the park said.
The body was found 2½ miles up the Mount Brown Trail, “in a densely forested area with downed timber” about 50 feet off the trail, the park said.
It’s the first fatal bear attack in Glacier National Park since 1998 and the first attack by a bear in the park since August, it said.
About 1,000 bears live in Glacier National Park, including black bears and grizzlies, according to the park. An estimated 300 grizzly bears were living in the park by 2023, it said.
Glacier National Park did not name the victim and said it was waiting for 72 hours after his family is informed.
WEST GLACIER,
Mont. The body of a missing hiker was discovered by search and rescue crews at approximately 12 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, in Glacier National Park.
The victim was located about 2.5 miles up the Mt. Brown Trail approximately 50 feet off the trail in a densely forested area with downed timber. His injuries are consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter.
Wildlife and law enforcement personnel are currently evaluating the area for bear activity and any ongoing public safety concerns. The investigation is ongoing.
The National Park Service is holding the identity of the victim until 72 hours after next-of-kin notification.
Temporary Trail Closures
The section of trail where the incident happened has been temporarily closed while the investigation continues. Park staff are working to determine next steps based on field assessments and wildlife behavior monitoring. Find up-to-date information on trail closures on the Trail Situation Reports page. Visitors are reminded to remain off closed trails.
Glacier National Park Bear Incidents
The last human lethality caused by a bear occurred in 1998 in the Two Medicine Valley. The last time a bear injured a human was in August 2025.
Various agencies cooperated in the search and rescue and recovery operations, including Flathead County Search and Rescue, North Valley Search and Rescue, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Minuteman Aviation, Civil Air Patrol, Montana Army National Guard, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, U.S. Geological Survey, ALERT, Border Patrol, Malmstrom Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force Rescue and NPS staff.
For more such information, connect with us today: : www.globalmediaa.com
