A missing hiker was found dead in Glacier National Park this week, and authorities now believe he may have been killed during a terrifying encounter with a bear.
According to the National Park Service, search and rescue crews discovered the man’s body around noon on Wednesday in a heavily wooded area near the Mount Brown Trail.
Officials said the victim was located roughly 2.5 miles up the trail, about 50 feet off the main path in an area filled with dense timber and fallen trees.
The hiker, who has not yet been publicly identified, suffered injuries that investigators say were “consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter.”
Wildlife experts and law enforcement officers immediately began examining the area for signs of bear activity and possible public safety risks.
Park officials temporarily shut down the section of trail where the body was discovered as the investigation continues.
Authorities said they are still monitoring wildlife behavior in the area while deciding what additional safety steps may be necessary.
The National Park Service has not released the victim’s identity while family notifications continue.
The tragic discovery has once again raised concerns about dangerous wildlife encounters inside Glacier National Park, which is home to one of the largest bear populations in the lower 48 states.
According to park officials, nearly 1,000 bears live throughout the park, including roughly 600 black bears and around 300 grizzly bears.
The last deadly bear attack inside the park happened back in 1998.
However, there was another frightening encounter in August 2025 when a female hiker was attacked by a grizzly bear with cubs in the Two Medicine Valley area.
Officials said the bear charged toward the woman, forcing her to dive off the trail and cover her head while another hiker used bear spray to scare the animal away.
The woman survived that attack with injuries to her arm and shoulder.
Visitors at Glacier National Park are routinely warned to stay alert for bears, carry bear spray, make noise while hiking, and avoid surprising wildlife on trails.
For now, officials say the investigation into the latest tragedy remains ongoing.