The 12-year-old visitor was taken to a nearby hospital after the Friday morning encounter.
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — A 12-year-old visitor was injured by a bison Friday morning near Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park and was taken to a nearby hospital, park officials said.
The incident happened at about 9:15 a.m. June 26 near Mud Volcano, just north of Fishing Bridge. The National Park Service said the child sustained injuries, but officials did not release the child’s name, hometown, condition or details about what happened before the encounter. The case remains under investigation.
Yellowstone officials said emergency medical personnel responded after the encounter and transported the child for treatment. “The visitor sustained injuries, and emergency medical personnel transported them to a nearby hospital,” the park said in a statement. Officials did not say whether the bison charged, whether other visitors were nearby or whether any citations were issued.
The Mud Volcano area is one of Yellowstone’s well-known thermal zones, located near Yellowstone Lake and Fishing Bridge. The area draws heavy summer traffic, with boardwalks, trails and roadside wildlife viewing. Bison are common across the park and often graze near roads, boardwalks and parking areas, bringing them close to visitors during the busy travel season.
Park officials said bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. The animals can appear calm but are unpredictable, fast and protective of their space. Adult bison can weigh more than 2,000 pounds and can run three times faster than people, officials said. Yellowstone requires visitors to stay at least 25 yards from bison and other large animals, and 100 yards from bears, wolves and cougars.
The injury is the first reported bison encounter causing injury in Yellowstone this year. Officials reported two bison-related injuries in 2025 and one in 2023. In earlier cases, park officials said visitors were hurt after getting too close to bison. The latest investigation will review what led to Friday’s encounter and whether park rules were followed.
Yellowstone officials said the investigation was continuing Saturday, and no further details about the child’s injuries had been released. The next update will depend on findings from park investigators.