Since the National Parks System was established in 1916, countless visitors have benefited from the breathtaking natural beauty of our country. In the grand scheme, this system is a safe and wondrous one. From the deep gorges of the Grand Canyon to the soft rolling hills of the Shenandoah, there’s no limit to the wonders that will be carefully preserved for years to come. With great beauty comes great responsibility, though, especially when it comes to safety. There have been many tragic and devastating instances where the natural landscapes were especially unforgiving. Here are some dangerous National Parks that have seen some truly grim accidents:

1. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
Tupulak/Flickr
When considering the sheer number of visitors Yellowstone sees annually (upwards of 3 million), fortunately relatively few are killed here. That being said, there are nearly 700 serious medical calls made each year. Visitors are attracted to the natural hot springs and geysers, and terrible accidents can occur when the paths are ignored. This past year, a young man lost his life after he meandered from the trail and slipped into a boiling spring. In addition to thermal injuries, there is also the rare but dangerous threat of wild animals such as bison. Read more about this truly amazing park in this article.
2. Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Ken Lund/flickr
At a staggering 1.2 million acres, the name of this national wonder is no coincidence. The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited parks in the nation, and unfortunately one of the most accident-prone. Nearly 350 search and rescues were made in the park in 2012 alone. That year also saw 21 deaths. This summer there were two separate cases of visitors falling over the edge while attempting to capture scenery on camera. Other common causes of death include over-exhaustion and getting lost on the narrow trails below. Learn more about the dangers of this National Park in this article.

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3. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park Road, Yosemite National Park Rd, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA
edward stojakovic/Flickr
Located in the iconic Sierra Nevada mountains of California, Yosemite is known and loved for its towering sequoias. Other points of interest include Bridal Veil Falls and the Half Dome cliffs. These waterfalls and cliffs can be incredibly dangerous, and many lives have been lost there. The park sees an average of 250 search and rescues per year. Lack of experience or other distraction can cause for climbing and falling accidents. There have also been instances where falling tree branches have caused serious injury and even death. Read about one of Yosemite's most amazing waterfalls in this article.
4. Zion National Park
Zion National Park, UT, Springdale, UT, USA
Jeff Krause/Flickr
Southeastern Utah's most visited national park is as striking as it is severe. The incredible rock formation has been carved out by water for millions of years, the same phenomenon which can claim lives if hikers don't heed caution. One of the most famous stretches in the park is known as the Narrows. This rocky trail is covered in water and provides incredible glimpses of the canyons above. However, when a storm strikes this can be a deadly place to be. Flash floods wipe through the canyons and can be fatal to hikers. In 2015, a group of seven experienced hikers lost their lives due to this reason. Read more about the dangers of Zion NP in this article.
5. Mt. Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA
Anupam_ts/Flickr
Mt. Rainier National Park is located southeast of Seattle and is named for the 14,410-foot-high peak. This glacier-topped mountain makes for an epic and dangerous climb. The glacier-topped grounds are prone to harsh wind and cold from the Pacific. Even in the midst of summer, climbers are not safe from threats such as hypothermia, when unexpected storms can bring 70 MPH winds and 5-foot snow drifts. Learn more about this dangerous (but amazing) park in this article.

While these parks may be especially dangerous, they should by no means be missed. The National Parks Service prioritizes the safety of visitors and is a wonderful resource for anyone planning a visit.

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More to Explore

Dangerous National Parks

Tori Jane | January 19, 2022

What are the most dangerous National Parks in the country?  

Sure, our National Parks are epic (see the next question), but that epicness brings with it a certain kind of risk that’s hard to describe but easy to see. Our National Parks are riddled with steep cliffs, canyons, and buttes, and some even feature extremely hot thermal pools capable of killing a person who falls in instantly. There’s dangerous wildlife, and in some cases, very extreme temperatures (on BOTH ends of the spectrum). Some parks, however, are a lot more dangerous than others; the most dangerous National Parks in the country as of the time of this writing include Grand Canyon National Park, which takes the cake as THE most dangerous National Park in the nation. Every single year, there are hundreds of emergency rescues that take place, many of which unfortunately end badly for the injured or sick hiker. Up next is Yosemite National Park, and as it turns out, California is the place to be for dangerous parks. The parks all over this state have the highest number of still-open missing person cases... yikes.  

What are some truly amazing National Parks?  

Honestly, all of our National Parks are National Parks for many reasons – several of which tend to be their overwhelming natural beauty. They’re photogenic places with so much to do and see, and each one is well worth its own trip to explore. Some of the most amazing, however, tend to be the most popular: Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, for example, is home to the most incredible canyon views in the world. It’s also home to numerous photogenic trails, lookout points, and even waterfalls! Grand Teton National Park, in Wyoming, is also like something out of a dream; it’s the site of one of the most photographed (and most photogenic!) mountain ranges in the world. Yellowstone National Park is also well-known for its ridiculously photogenic landscapes (and super awesome geology). Looking for the road less traveled? Check out this list of some of the best little-known National Parks in the country.  

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