Accidents are unavoidable when there are so many guests participating in so many activities. The top ten safest US national parks were recently listed by KÜHL, but what about the other end of the spectrum?
The Connecticut Trial Firm examined data made available by the National Park Service (NPS) to identify the national parks that experienced the greatest number of accidents between 2013 and 2023. These three parks were ranked highest (or lowest) on the list based on the data and KÜHL’s study on national park safety.
These three national parks are the most accident-prone in the United States; find out why visiting them is so risky for visitors.
Grand Canyon National Park
- Deaths Reported: 136
It doesn’t take long to see why Grand Canyon National Park is the most popular natural marvel in the world while visiting the rim. The Grand Canyon is one of the most accident-prone national parks in the US because there are many risks to be mindful of behind the picturesque views, driving routes, and tourist centers.
Severe Heat
Due in large part to the intense summertime heat of the desert, Grand Canyon National Park is immediately at a disadvantage in terms of safety.
Due to the canyon’s exposed location and high temperatures, heat-related incidents are common. Over the years, numerous search and rescue operations have been launched to save hikers who are dehydrated.
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Falls
One other significant danger factor for the Grand Canyon exists. One of the primary reasons visitors come to view the Grand Canyon in the first place is the steep drop-offs, which can rapidly result in terrible catastrophes.
Three fatalities occurred on the US’s most hazardous hiking trail, the Bright Angel Trail, in 2023 alone. The sharp edges of the Canyon, with the arid rock and sand, draw attention to the dangers of exploring close to a 1,000-foot drop.
Yosemite National Park
- Deaths Reported: 152
Yosemite National Park is a location that should not be missed. It is one of the best places on a schedule for a 10-day road trip to the California National Parks because of its breathtaking waterfalls, towering granite structures, and deep evergreen woods.
But since this is one of the most accident-prone national parks, it’s also critical to adhere to the recommended safety procedures.
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Falls
A 2021 analysis conducted by Rands Injury Law found that falls accounted for almost 25% of all fatalities in Yosemite National Park. El Capitan and Half Dome are only two of the many tall peaks found in Yosemite National Park.
Even though Half Dome’s lottery permit system has reduced crowds and made the almost vertical climb one of the most difficult treks in the US to get, the near-vertical ascent has nevertheless claimed a number of lives over the years.
Drowning
Yosemite National Park isn’t exactly renowned for its swimming holes, but people are drawn in by the rushing water of the park’s numerous streams and waterfalls, which also poses a risk.
Many hikers have tripped on damp trails and rocks and been carried away by the swiftly flowing rivers fuelled by melting snow. One of the main causes of Yosemite National Park’s roughly 1,700 rescue missions between 2013 and 2020—more than any other national park in the nation—was the area’s water-based hazards.
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Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Deaths Reported: 203
The Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s namesake, Lake Mead, has generated a lot of attention lately. Since Lake Mead is a well-liked location for boating and swimming, many strange finds have been made there, including shipwrecks, fossils, and yes, human remains.
Not all of these remains are the product of nefarious activity; many deaths in the most accident-prone national park in America are due to natural hazards.
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Drowning
It should come as no surprise that drowning is the most common cause of death in the park, given that Lake Mead is mostly made of water. In Lake Mead National Recreation Area, most drowning deaths are associated with visitors not wearing life jackets.
When someone is out on a boat and decides to take a quick swim, the wind pushes their boat away, leaving them stranded and surrounded by other boats and the water.
To Conclude
Although national parks are among the most picturesque and well-liked natural sites on earth, visiting them necessitates adhering to recommended safety precautions.
Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area have more incidents than any other national park in the US, with over 400 locations included.
These three parks alone have seen around 500 fatalities in the past ten years, making them the most hazardous national parks in the United States.
