You already know how many fascinating parks are in the United State. Nobody can deny that the United States National Park system is fun with indescribably beautiful parks that allow everyone to enjoy amazing outdoor camping. But did you know that Mother Nature can be dangerous? Yes, that is true if you not to be a careful camper.
However, beauty can be dangerous. Many of the National Parks can be risky if you don’t train safety and vigilance, from falls to drownings. So, which parks could be labeled as the most dangerous? Since 2010, there have been hundreds of deaths throughout the park system in the US. Below we mentioned the 13 Most Dangerous National Parks in the United States.
- Grand Canyon, Arizona
- Yosemite, California
- Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon, California
- Yellowstone, California
- Denali, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
- Mount Rainier, Washigton
- Rocky Mountains, Colorado
- Grand Teton, Wyoming
- Zion, Utah
- Death Valley, California, Nevada
- Glacier, Montana
- Olympic, Washington
More than a thousand people have died in the United States’ national parks, from accidental falls to drowning and even targets by wild animals. It’s obvious that most of these parks were also the most visited, but the causes of death may surprise you and make you reconsider how to travel safely. Let’s, move on.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
You might be amazed by the Grand Canyon’s most dangerous feature. The dangers that campers to the Grand Canyon face are obvious, with drops of 100 feet into the canyon itself, though falls aren’t the major cause of death in the national park.
There have been 134 deaths since 2010, but only 27 have resulted from falls off 100-foot cliffs, while 42 have died from medical or natural causes, most of which were caused by the hot weather in the area.
Heat-related diseases have actually caused the most deaths over the last decade, which should serve as a warning to drink plenty of fluids and keep hydrated at all times. The National Park Service committee warns that temperatures on the South Rim are generally 20 degrees cooler than those discovered near the river at Phantom Ranch, implying that heat will build up as visitors descend.
The truth is that there is a one-in-400,000 possibility of falling at the Grand Canyon. Your main concern is dehydration and heatstroke. Ensure you have a sizable camping water bottle on hand.
According to CityLab, approximately 770 people have died in the Grand Canyon since the mid-1800s. Annually, around 12 people die in the canyon due to suicides, dehydration, and hypothermia, as well as those who fall off the cliff.
Last July, a poor lady was died after stepping aside to let another hiker pass, tripping on her own feet, and falling 400 feet to her death. What is the Park Service’s recommendation? Visit during the spring or late fall to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures.
In the summer heat, regarding a shorter day hike. And, if you’re planning to go to the canyon’s bottom, get a slightly earlier or predawn to begin to prevent a grueling uphill climb during the hottest part of the day.
The Grand Canyon is a camper’s and hiker’s perfect destination, but it’s a difficult journey. To hike these trails safe manner, you must be in the excellent physical condition and bring plenty of food and water.
Yosemite, California
In 2nd place of Most Dangerous National Parks in the United States was Yosemite National Park, where 126 visitors died in the last decade, 45 of whom were died by falls. Taft Point, Nevada Fall, and Half Dome have all seen fatalities in recent years.
Rivers rushing, cliffs soaring, and potentially dangerous wildlife Yosemite saw its due bit of deaths and injuries over the years, serving as a sobering warning that nature is dangerous.
Falls have been the leading cause of death in Yosemite, which is known for its sweeping granite domes and massive cliffs. Half Dome, Taft Point, and Nevada Falls have all suffered casualties in recent years, with visitors often attempting to capture the excellent, enviable selfie. Regretfully, those images obscure the dangers that Yosemite poses.
Since more people die naturally in Yosemite, such as heatstroke and dehydration, dropping hundreds of feet off a cliff to your death has sadly occurred on numerous occasions over the years.
The park’s enticing waterfalls and the Merced River’s strong spring current have also contributed to the high fatality rate of 17 people who died. As a basic guideline, never pose on top of a massive granite drop-off. To ensure your safety first, keep at least 10 feet away from any cliff.
Bring a flashlight with you if you’re hiking after dark so that you can identify the edge of cliffs. Furthermore, stop taking selfies or other pictures while standing in rivers or just next to waterfalls. You don’t ever understand when the current will move you off your feet and drown you.
Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with over 12 million visitors annually, is not as risky as Yosemite or the Grand Canyon, but it does have the potential to be dangerous.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles North Carolina and Tennessee, is the most explored national park in the United States, but it also has the third-highest amount of deaths.
The most frequent reason in this area did not fall, drowning, or wildlife threats, but rather motor vehicle accidents, with 37 fatalities in the last 10 years.
During the peak of the season, there may be heavy traffic due to the large crowds. There have been 37 deaths as a result of motor vehicle accidents in the last ten years. So, it’s not so much the park itself that’s dangerous as it is the park’s popularity, which allows for human mistakes behind the wheel. To put it another way, slow it down!
The park recommends visiting out beyond peak season (July 1 through August 15) to avoid crowds when it arrives in auto touring or traveling before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. in the summer season.
Searching for a picturesque option to the area’s most congested roads? Foothills Parkway and Rich Mountain Road are both excellent choices. Drowning deaths, on the other hand, are all too common in the Great Smoky Mountains.
If you are not a great swimmer, you should tread cautiously when swimming in any of the rivers or lakes. The undertow of these bodies of water can completely engulf you.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon, California
Over the last decade, 75 people have died in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, with falls being responsible for 25 of them. The most latest occurred in 2018 when a rock climber died after falling 200 feet on the John Muir Trail.
Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 at 14,494 feet, straddles the border of east Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest, so it’s no surprise that falls and mountain climbing lives lost are the major causes of fatal accidents in these nearby parks.
As with any mountainous National Park, you must be cautious when nearing cliffs, as the slightest loss of balance can send you well over a boundary. Hikers frequently overlook the fact that snow and ice can linger in the parks’ high elevated areas well into June, creating or else moderate hikes like the Lakes Trail are more dangerous.
It’s the dramatic change in climate from your beginning altitude of around 1,300 feet to nearly 15,000 feet. Unready hikers are becoming stranded in cold spots close to the top, succumbing to hypothermia and falling on ice. In furthermore to the proper clothing, bring a multi-tool in particular instance you really have to cut branches or anything in case you find yourself in a safe setting.
Campers should always confirm conditions before actually venturing out in the spring or late fall, according to the Park Service. Put on a pair of traction devices in your backpack, but if all else fails, have a backup plan in mind, such as exploring the parks’ lower-altitude foothills.
During spring and early summer months, the Park Service also advises hikers to use extra care when crossing streams and rivers. Previously, wildlife has not been a problem because black bears avoid humans unless provoked. This means you should still exercise caution around all wildlife.
Yellowstone, California
Yellowstone is 5th place of Most Dangerous National Parks in the United States. Yellowstone, one more widely known auto-tourist destination, saw motor-vehicle accidents, medical problems, and natural death attach for the most fatalities, with 12 occurrences each since 2010.
According to Discover magazine, Lee Whittlesey wrote in his book Death in Yellowstone, “There are a lot of different ways to get killed in this park; it’s an unforgiving environment.”
The famous Wyoming park, with its towering canyons and acidic hot springs, is ripe with chances for unfortunate crashes or fatal judgment, such as with one 23-year-old Oregon man who was attempting to “hot pot,” or turns an illegal dip in the Norris Geyser Basin.
As among the busiest parks in the system, there are many cars, and some of the roadways are narrow and winding. Make certain that you are driving with your complete concentration.
It’s easy to get distracted while trying to identify wildlife from one of the park’s crowded scenic byways. Yellowstone recommends tourists consider traffic and long drive times, and to drive carefully, and to stop and take pictures of critters in pullouts rather than in the center of the road.
Yellowstone is home to several grizzly bears, which are cruel to humans. As well, keep a distance from buffalo and moose. Yellowstone’s rim trails are the riskiest. Wear appropriate hiking boots with adequate traction, and prevent cliffs at all costs.
Denali, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
Denali National Park in Alaska is home to the tallest and coldest mountain in the United States. Environmental exposure is the leading cause of death in Denali National Park. Alaska is known as the “Last Frontier” because of its size and vast amounts of undiscovered wilderness. If you’re unready, that’s when trouble attacks.
Avalanches, freezing weather, and snowstorms have killed almost one hundred climbers on the 20,308-foot peak over years. Hiker s are affected by extreme circumstances for days on end during most summit expeditions, which last a few weeks.
Just 52% of climbers who established out for the summit achieve their goal, with the remaining part returning due to weather or other dangers.
As this is Alaska, you can expect a huge changing climate from the beginning to the end of a hiking trip. Hypothermia can occur if you do not bring sufficient clothing, for example. Carry a rain jacket in furthermore to a winter coat in case of precipitation.
A weather service placed near the summit in the 1990s contextualizes the freezing temperatures. In December 2003, the average minimum temperature at this place was -75.5 degrees, with such a windchill of -118.1 degrees.
When you combine the extreme weather with the possibility of altitude sickness, it’s easy to see why some campers don’t return a safe distance down the mountain. Others who do climb to the top of a mountain like Denali face a greater risk of falling off a cliff, which has been the park’s 2nd major cause of death in the last decade.
Mount Rainier, Washigton
Mount Rainier is a glaciated 14,411-foot peak that attracts over 10,000 climbers annually. There hasn’t been an outbreak in five hundred years, but if one occurs, Mount Rainier National Park will be the most threatening park in the system.
As a result, it has the greatest potential to be the most dangerous campground and volcano in the US. Fewer than 1percent of those hikers end up making it to the summit, which requires technical hiking skills and traversing avalanche-prone snowfields.
Although the volcano has not emerged, there have been numerous earthquakes. Bring walkie-talkies in case your group becomes disjointed. Many visitors prefer to take day hikes up to Camp Muir, which serves as the starting point for trips to the summit. This hike is still strenuous, requiring a 4,660-foot ascent.
The danger arises when hikers are caught off guard by surprise storms, which are popular in this area.
Rains are common along the coast, which transforms into heavy snow at higher altitudes. Over 400 hikers have died on Rainier, the majority of which was due to exposure and hypothermia throughout storms.
Rocky Mountains, Colorado
The 415 square miles of Rocky Mountain National Park contains and defend stunning mountain climates. Experience Trail Ridge Road, which peaks at over 12,000 feet and includes numerous overlooks to enjoy the subalpine and alpine worlds, as well as over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and good times.
Many camping lovers want to visit Colorado, but work to become used to flying into the Mile High City, which indicates they are not accustomed to the altitude.
As a result, unready climbers and campers suffer from elevation sickness, which can cause disorientation, nausea, and dizziness. If this occurs higher up on a trail, your possibility of falling rises as well.
Severe sunburn, Dehydration, mountain sickness such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and the aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions are all increased risks. To avoid dehydration, drink several quarts of water per day. Dress and reapply sunscreen frequently. If you start feeling ill or have physical problems, return to a lower altitude.
Getting too close to, trying to feed, or troubling animals is dangerous; stay back and make a distance that is safe. Most park species are wild and have the potential to kill or injure you. Keep an eye on what’s going on around you and your family or partners.
Learn how to coexist with wildlife and what to do if you come across a mountain lion or a bear.
Before visiting this park, you should consult with your doctor if you have any pre-existing heart issues. Fortunately, there are reasonably simple hikes in the Rockies that allow you to walk at a leisurely pace while still wanting to take in the stunning mountain scenery.
But keep in mind, Rocky is unrivaled in a word of praise! Be prepare according to rules and regulations that make secure your journey.
Grand Teton, Wyoming
Mountains that inspired the creation of Grand Teton National Park, in which you can hike over 200 miles of trails, float the Snake River, and enjoy the weather of this extraordinary location.
A range of different wildlife, such as black and grizzly bears, can be found in Grand Teton National Park. Both thrive in the different ecosystems that compose Grand Teton National Park and can be found throughout the park.
Bears are untamed creatures. Although most will try avoiding humans, when put in various situations, they may become aggressive. Many forceful communications between bears and humans occur when a bear perceives that they, their young, or their food supply are in danger.
As with any other busy park, car crashes are the riskiest factor to consider when traveling through Grand Teton National Park. However, there is the possibility of collapsing on top of rugged terrain. Falls were responsible for 21 of the 48 confirmed deaths here in the last decade.
Because these trails are steep and difficult, any medical incident, such as a heart attack, that occurs on the trail is life-threatening because it takes so long for emergency personnel to reach the park.
Coming prepared is the key to staying safe in the bear park.
Zion, Utah
Do you know Zion national park is the Utah beauty? But there also have hidden dangers inside that amazing beauty. There are dozens of wonderful trails in Zion National Park, each with its spectacular view. However, while there are many easy or even modest trails that are ideal for first-time hikers or families with children, many of the trails are challenging, with drop-offs and cliff faces that can speedily become dangerous.
Before embarking on a hike, it is necessary to understand the risks associated with the trail. That way, you can arrange for the danger and help avoid a fatal accident.
Zion National Park rounds out our list of the most dangerous National Parks in the system, with incidents ranging from accidental falls to drownings.
Over the decades, there have been a few accidental deaths, but cliffs are the most major cause of death. Falling off a cliff was responsible for 22 of the 43 deaths over the last decade. A minor blunder could prove fatal.
Despite going to cover and around 220 square miles, most of Zion’s trails are vertical rather than horizontal. Several more trails leave climbers climbing almost straight up, with some cliffs rising over 2,000 feet in the air.
There at the summit, you’ll find yourself squeezing through narrow moves well above the valley below. Even a simple trail can become highly dangerous to rolled ankles or journeys on rocky surfaces, but bring some height and you’re unexpectedly in a life-or-death condition.
Avoid taking cliff selfies at Analysis Point in particular. You’ll be exhausted by the end of this hike, which has a 2,000-foot altitude profit. However, the sandstone ground is frequently wet, particularly near the edges.
The Slot Canyons are also risky due to the possibility of unexpected flash floods. In 2015, seven hikers were killed by flash flooding.
Death Valley, California, Nevada
Death Valley is North America’s lowest point. Death Valley, the warmest, driest, is a land of extremes. Death Valley National Park is the sunniest spot in the United States, as well as the site of the highest annual temperature in the world, 134 degrees.
The park also receives over one million visitors each year, and high-temperature illness is one of the causes of death in the park. To prevent dangerous temperatures, hikes should be completed by 10 a.m., according to the National Park Service.
Death Valley is much more than a scorching desert; it also has a strong difference of landscapes to discover, from the snow that frosts the park’s tallest peaks to the lovely wildflower gardens and tiny oases that can provide respite from the warmth to seemingly unending desert plains.
The hottest place on Earth had its hottest month on record in July 2018. The mean temperature, such as overnight lows, was 108.10 degrees Fahrenheit. For four days in a row, the daytime high temperature achieved 1270F.
This type of heat can be risky, but that doesn’t necessarily imply you can’t visit the park during the summer.
Getting lost in the desert is another risk. Park rangers advise guiding a route on a paper map instead of relying solely on GPS, which can harm memory during self-guided navigation. Cars and trucks should also have additional water in case of a breakdown.
Glacier, Montana
The most dangerous thing to visitors in Glacier National Park are slips and falls near water, not bears. Because as the park nears the entrance of Going to the Sun Road, spokeswoman Lauren Alley advises visitors to be cautious of slippery moss-covered rocks and logs close to public flows and cliffs.
Unexpectedly, these seemingly harmless creatures are by far the most dangerous of all Glacier National Park wildlife. They are extremely territorial, so know your limits, particularly if there are young calves nearby. If they charge, take cover as soon as possible. Discover how to survive a moose threat.
Alley points out that the park has nearly 3,000 miles of stream more than 600 lakes that visitors should be cautious of because falls are the major cause of accidents on the road in the park.
Even though climate change causes nearly everything, this list is incomplete and not restricted to glaciers. Climate change is referred to as a “threat multiplier” by the US Department of Defense. While climate change does cause new problems, it also exacerbates or intensifies existing ones.
As a result, despite a changing climate, Glacier may continue to be an enjoyable place to visit and for wildlife to live. Nevertheless, climate change is exacerbating many of the problems that already confront both people and wildlife.
As an example, 2 lives have been lost since 2017 after falling on Going to the Sun Road near Haystack Creek. Park officials also warn against wading in fast-flowing streams and never walking, enjoying, or hiking on slippery rocks, especially near waterfalls.
Olympic, Washington
Olympic National Park’s diversity is defined by its amazing variety of precipitation and altitude. But do you know it also Most Dangerous National Parks in the United State? This Park is a wilderness park full of natural marvels and possible dangers. It is not secured that you will be safe. To protect you and the park’s assets, restrictions are strictly enforced. All wildlife and wildlife encounters pose risks to travelers.
Countless poisonous plants and venomous animals that are common in some parts of the Americas are absent from Olympic National Park. Overall, grabbing onto plants while hiking, walking around in high grass, or sitting on woody debris will not result in insect bites or a terrible rash.
Even though insect bites are unusual, stinging insects such as wasps can cause a few Olympic Peninsula hiking safety issues for those who suffer from severe allergies like anaphylaxis.
Don’t get caught in a rising tide! Numerous locations along the coast are only accessible during low tide. While hiking along the coast, always have a tide chart with you and know how to use it. Visitor centers and coastal ranger stations sell tide charts.
Foraging wasps can become especially aggressive in late summer and fall, depending on inclement weather.
The weather, like anything else in the Olympics Park, obviously varies from season to season and location to location. Campers must be prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions. Rain gear and layers of clothing are required.
Keep in mind, you are solely responsible for your safety and your family’s safety!
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