Here Are The 10 Most Dangerous, Deadly Places In Arizona

Arizona is easily a dangerous place. Stop paying attention for a few minutes or go somewhere without a plan and you can quickly find yourself in trouble! Today we’re going to take a look at some of the most dangerous places in Arizona where you should practice constant vigilance. Let’s start with some broad places before getting into specific spots.

1. Nearly any hiking trail in Arizona in summer

Extreme temperatures combined with intense sunlight and not enough hydration quickly spells out disaster. If you want to go hiking, be sure to hydrate before, during, and after your excursion; get an early start on your hike; and, perhaps most importantly, let others know about your planned trip so that if you do encounter trouble, at least someone knows where to find you.

2. Mountain lion country.

Bears are pretty scary but if there’s any predatory Arizona animal that gives me the heebie jeebies, its mountain lions. You know how your little house kitty has a tendency to quietly stalk and ambush you from behind? Mountain lions do the same thing to prey animals, except with much more deadly consequences. It’s rare but they have been known to attack humans as well. While out in mountain lion country (which is, frankly, most of Arizona), keep these tips in mind.

3. Slot canyons.

These beautiful areas were carved with flowing water... and that is exactly what makes these areas dangerous. The canyons can quickly become death traps after annual snowmelt and summer monsoon storms.

4. Bright Angel Trail

This impressive trail in the Grand Canyon is also one of the most notorious trails in the state for both its beautiful views and potentially dangerous environment. People tend to encounter difficulties when they attempt to hike the entire trail in one day or don’t carry enough water. Read more on what makes this the most dangerous trail in Arizona.

5. Echo Canyon Trail

Over the years, Echo Canyon trail has gained a reputation as being more challenging than most people expect. Many times, this comes from inexperienced hikers or out-of-staters who don’t pay attention to their surroundings, getting injured, or not being properly hydrated. Read more on the Echo Canyon Trail in this article.

6. The Superstition Mountains

The rugged terrain in the Superstition Mountains holds not only the alluring fable of hidden treasures but also plenty of opportunities to encounter trouble. In the last 15 or more years, there have been quite a few people who required rescue teams, and tragically, many died while trying to hike the mountains.

7. Flood areas, especially flash flood zones.

Dips in the road and crossings through rivers and washes create dangerous situations when water from rainstorms flows through. Don’t attempt driving through these areas! Turn around; don't drown.

8. Apache Trail

This well-known stretch of road can seem pretty scary, especially for people who are not used to traveling these kinds of roads. It has improved over the years but some parts of the Apache Trail are still dirt, lanes are thin in other areas, and you can’t always count on an effective guard rail to protect you from the edge. It's a beautiful ride, but be careful if you do travel this road!

9. Sitgreaves Pass

Another stretch of highway with winding, scenic roads, this is a part of the old Route 66 that had plenty of travelers driving with white knuckles. Hairpin turns, narrow lanes, and questionable road conditions in some areas. Keep your eyes open when driving Sitgreaves Pass, which is considered to be one of the most dangerous roads in Arizona.

10. I-10 Highway

One of the dangerous roads in the country, the 1-10 Highway in Arizona claims 85+ deaths each year.

What are some other dangerous spots you know of here in Arizona? Tell us about them in the comments!