Summer is heating up, and it’s time to go outside and walk in the fresh air. This post will cover America’s 10 Most Dangerous National Parks with facts, figures, and good old common sense. However, NPR reports that a quarter of American adults say they live in fear of attacks in their neighborhood, and dendrophobia (fear of trees) is a clinical phobia.
National Park Service reports 3,020 deaths
Studies show that 1 in 10 American adults and 1 in 5 teens will experience some form of phobic disorder at some point in their lives. Many people are afraid of national parks, and understandably so, as the National Park Service reports that there were 3,020 deaths in NPS units between 2007 and 2020. fears.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park has the highest mountain in North America and is home to 7,408 square miles of remote wilderness filled with grizzly bears and harsh cold winters. No wonder it tops our list of deadliest national parks. Climbers go here to challenge the wild, and some of them lose. Backpacker magazine writes: “In terms of mortality per capita (9.8 DPM), Denali is by far the most dangerous national park – ten times more than the Great Smoky Mountains, which kills less than one person per million visitors (DPM). )”.
North Cascades National Park
National park data over the past decade shows that North Cascades National Park has the highest mortality rate of any national park. It depends on how you define “visitor”, but the danger is real. The northern cascades are a training ground for many climbers, which means that their skills are not yet fully honed. It is also more accessible than Denali, so it lacks the physical and financial barriers to entry that keep inexperienced and unprepared from getting in over their heads compared to Denali.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
The Lake Mead National Recreation Area tops the other lists with the highest number of deaths. More people are killed by boat on Lake Mead than by mountain climbing in Alaska. Data from the National Park Service [NPSD] show that from 2014 to 2021, 145 people died on Lake Mead, 47 of them drowned. Lake Mead spokeswoman Christy Vanover says that only a small percentage of drownings – and deaths in general – are alcohol-related. Weather, especially wind, tends to be a much more important factor.
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon has a deadly combination of extreme heat inside and steep cliffs around the edge. What’s even scarier is that Grand Canyon treks start at the top, so exhausted and thirsty hikers have to climb up the mountain to get back at the hottest time of the day. NPSD data shows that 97 people died in the Grand Canyon from 2014 to 2021. The DPM can be much higher, but most visitors to the canyon heed the park’s warning and stay close to the edge. Few dare to venture down into the depths of the canyon because camping requires a permit with very strict restrictions.
Yosemite National Park
The latest figures show that Yosemite has overtaken the Grand Canyon in terms of annual deaths despite far fewer visitors. The difference lies in the park’s famous granite domes and sheer cliffs, which make Yosemite a popular climbing destination. An estimated 2.5 climbers die each year, which is about 20 climbing deaths over the 2014-2021 NPSD study period. That’s enough to put Yosemite ahead of the Grand Canyon, but the park receives between 25,000 and 50,000 climbing days each year, so take that number with a pinch of salt.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park has an infamous reputation as the most dangerous national park in America. With its extreme weather and isolated West Texas location, it’s easy to see why. Moreover, a stormy river flows through the park. Santa Elena Canyon was the last major canyon explored by the United States. Robert Hill first explored the canyon in 1899, 30 years after John Wesley Powell rafted down the Grand Canyon. Big Bend National Park is one of the most remote wilderness areas in the 48 states.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
If you’re reading this article and haven’t watched Cocaine Bear yet, I have a movie suggestion for you. It’s a campy horror/comedy (very) loosely based on the true story of a “cocaine-fuelled apex predator” that rips people apart in the Great Smoky Mountains. In real life, the park is known for sightings of bears, but there have only been two recorded human cases associated with bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The real danger is not the bears, but the 384 miles of road in the park. In the Smokies, accidents accounted for 43.6% between 2007 and 2020, with medical deaths (such as heart attacks) being the second leading cause of death at 14.9%.
Redwood National Park
Redwoods are the tallest living creatures and are reputedly home to the legendary ape-like creature Bigfoot. Of course, if humanoids were killing tourists in the park, they would have been noticed by now, right? Hulu’s three-part documentary series Sasquatch investigates a series of horrific murders attributed to Bigfoot but uncovers a violent underworld of cannabis growers vying for turf. It turns out that neither Bigfoot nor drug lords make Redwood National Park so lethal. Roughly a third of all deaths in the park are caused by accidents, and the famous Avenue of the Giants is a major tourist attraction.
Death Valley National Park
Of course, Death Valley is dangerous… It’s from the name, right? It is the hottest and lowest place in the US. The Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, is so dry that visitors often mistake the thick layer of salt on the valley floor for snow. You can see the trend here, but again, fatal traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in the park. Roads in Death Valley are especially treacherous, with drivers suffering from eye fatigue from the bright sun and long, monotonous stretches. Another aggravating factor is the apparent desolation of the park, resulting in slower response times and increased fatalities.
Natchez Trace Parkway
From the last two entries, you can probably guess where this is going. The most dangerous part of the boulevard is the boulevard itself. It’s a winding road that winds through some of the most scenic parts of the South, but you’re still in a moving car at 45 mph. Driving is inherently dangerous, so any park with a significant amount of traffic will have a certain number of fatalities.
Steps to Stay Safe When Visiting National Parks
Hazardous activities such as mountain climbing, rock climbing, boating, and hiking in extreme weather are also a cause of loss of life in the national park. If you’re heading to national parks this year, take a little more time to research and plan your trip. Stay safe and follow park rules, including traffic rules. Also, be kind to yourself. Going out into the wilderness can be tiring, and many accidents are due to the aggravation of factors of exhaustion and short-sightedness.
More from Coleman Concierge:
Hiking in Gatlinburg – Guide to the Best Hiking in Gatlinburg
Do you want to go hiking in Gatlinburg? In this guide, you will find 23 of the best trails around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Tennessee side. Whether you’re looking for easy hikes, waterfall hikes, Cades Cove hikes, or the toughest trails in Gatlinburg, we’ve got you covered.
Angels Landing: The Best Hike in Zion National Park
All who walked Angels Landing in Zion National Park will tell you its story. Sometimes of extraordinary beauty. Other times it’s just awful….
What to bring on a day trip
It’s a beautiful day today and you’re going camping, but, what to take with you on a day trip? Get ready, that’s the scout’s motto. If you want to know what to pack for your hike, keep reading. However, be prepared for a few dad jokes along the way.
Adventures in Las Vegas – the best day trips from the entertainment capital of the world
Looking for the best adventures in las vegas what pushed you out into the world and maybe a little outside of your comfort zone? Our Las Vegas Adventure Day Trips do just that, offering enough beautiful scenery to surprise your friends and envy your enemies. Not everything you do has to stay in Vegas.
11 Unforgettable Biblical Adventures of Jordan
Jordan is an ancient land filled with secrets, discoveries, biblical adventures, and experiences. Not only because it’s good pure entertainment, but because each one tells an important plot thread that stitches together over 3,000 years of history. Read on for details to live the Indiana Jones adventure style (and choose wisely!).
