A 70-year-old woman has died after a bison charged her during a hike with her husband at Custer State Park in South Dakota, turning what began as a quiet trail walk into a fatal wildlife encounter.
The incident happened on May 18 on the Grace Coolidge Trail, a scenic route inside the park where hikers can sometimes come across large animals moving through open and wooded areas. The woman’s name has not been released publicly.
According to details shared by local authorities, the couple first noticed a small group of about five bull bison on the trail ahead. They did not immediately approach the animals. Instead, they reportedly waited from a distance of around 500 yards while the bison continued moving along the path.
After the animals were no longer visible, the couple resumed their hike. But the trail later brought them close to the same group again. This time, the bison were believed to be around 50 yards away. The hikers stopped once more and waited as the animals moved ahead.
The situation changed suddenly when one bison separated from the group and charged toward the woman. The animal struck her, hooked her and threw her into the air. She later died from her injuries.
The death has placed fresh attention on how quickly wildlife encounters can become dangerous, even when visitors believe they are acting carefully. Bison often appear calm from a distance, but they remain powerful wild animals that can become defensive without warning.
After the attack, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks staff removed the bison from the area and began monitoring the situation. Officials are also reviewing safety steps after the fatal encounter.
Dry conditions in parts of the park have reportedly pushed bison into wider areas, increasing the chances that hikers may meet them on trails rather than only seeing them from roads or open viewing spots. Park visitors have been advised to stay alert, especially near bends, ridges and places where visibility is limited.
Officials have also reminded hikers to make noise while walking, keep dogs on a leash and avoid moving too closely behind wildlife. When a bison blocks a trail, the safest choice is to wait from a much greater distance, turn back if needed and never assume the animal has fully moved away just because it is out of sight.
The U.S. Department of the Interior notes that bison are North America’s largest land mammals. They can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run up to 35 miles per hour, which makes a sudden charge extremely difficult to escape.
The fatal incident was not the only recent bison encounter reported at Custer State Park. Earlier this month, a 22-year-old hiker near Center Lake was struck on the back of her legs by a bison and taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
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These back-to-back incidents have raised concern among visitors planning summer hikes in areas where bison roam freely. Wildlife safety officials often warn that distance is the most important protection. Photos, videos and curiosity can put people too close before they realize the risk.
Experts say hikers should never try to pass near a bison on a narrow trail. If the animal is ahead, visitors should create space and allow it a clear route to leave. Following behind a herd can still be unsafe because the animals may turn, stop or react to movement from behind.
The latest death also comes amid wider concern about dangerous wildlife encounters in U.S. parks and wilderness areas. Similar warnings followed a recent Glacier National Park hiker death investigated as a possible bear attack, another reminder that natural areas require caution even on established trails.
Custer State Park remains one of South Dakota’s best-known outdoor destinations, with bison viewing among its biggest attractions. But the same animals that draw visitors can also pose serious danger when people meet them unexpectedly on foot.
For hikers, the message from this tragedy is clear: treat every bison encounter as unpredictable, keep far more distance than feels necessary and do not continue forward if animals are moving along the same trail.
The woman’s death is a painful reminder that wildlife should be respected from afar. In places where large animals live freely, even a peaceful hike can change within seconds.
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