American actor Harrison Ford has proved his action hero credentials off the screen during a dramatic search for a boy scout who became lost in a forest in Wyoming.

Thirteen-year-old Cody Clawson went missing on Monday after he took the wrong path back to his group's campsite in the south-west corner of Yellowstone National Park.

"Boy, you sure must have earned a merit badge for this one," said the Indiana Jones star.

Cody, who was dressed only in a t-shirt and shorts, survived a rainy night by taking cover under a rock outcrop. He was lost from Monday lunchtime until Tuesday morning.

Cuddle

His mother, Peggy Clawson from Huntsville in Utah, said the other boys wanted to know if Cody had asked Ford for his autograph.

Her son had replied: "No, but I got a hug and a handshake, and that's better than an autograph."

This is the second time in a year that Ford has guided his helicopter in a rescue operation.

Last July, he plucked a hiker off 3330-metre (11,000-foot) Table Mountain in Teton County.

Sarah George climbed up the mountain, but was prevented by altitude sickness and dehydration from climbing down. Ford picked her up and flew her to hospital.