Here Are The 9 Most Dangerous, Deadly Places In Wyoming
Overall, Wyoming is a very safe state to visit and to reside in. However, there are areas where you need to be cautious. In most cases, if you use a little common sense, obey all posted signs, and respect nature, then a lot of these places won’t actually be so dangerous and deadly – but unfortunately, not everyone does those things. Here are some of the most dangerous places in Wyoming:
According to Wyoming Magazine, U.S. Highway 287, one of the longest roads in the nation, is also one of the most dangerous roads in the United States. There have been many accidents and fatalities along this stretch in Wyoming. This narrow two lane road passes through Medicine Bow Mountains and Laramie Mountains, so severe weather and poor visibility often are responsible for deadly accidents along this road. It's also a difficult road for teenagers, who have little driving experience, to maneuver. This road is one of the most-traveled roads in the state, though, nevertheless. Check out the Wyoming Magazine article for more information!
According to Forbes, Corbet's Couloir in Jackson Hole is America's scariest ski slope. The feature that is so dangerous is the narrow mouth that leads into a free fall of two stories onto a 55-degree slope which then commands an immediate right turn to avoid the surrounding rocks. Learn more in this article.
When you see the peaks of the Grand Tetons, they look very daunting, especially if you're a hiker. According to Men's Fitness, one of the most challenging trails in America is the Paintbrush Canyon/Cascade Canyon Loop. This treacherous 20-mile trail consists of an eight mile, 4,000-foot vertical ascent to the 10,800 foot elevation Paintbrush Divide. The difficulty comes with the never-ending switchbacks and slowly thinning air. A relatively recent fatality was in 2014, when a hiker fell to her death in Upper Paintbrush Canyon.
Please be especially careful around the geysers and hot springs. The water temperature in some of these thermal features reaches well into the 200's. Twenty-two people have been killed by geysers and hot springs in Yellowstone, adding to the reason why Yellowstone National Park is one of the most dangerous national parks in the world. Visitors wander off the paths or boardwalks and fall in. There was a reported fatality in June 2016; the key here is easy - obey all posted signs and warnings.
The wildlife in Yellowstone is truly amazing. Everyone wants that selfie with a bear, bison or elk. You are walking into their home, so it is especially important to respect the animals and their habitat. Yellowstone has seen many injuries and deaths as a result of aggressive wildlife. There was a fatality in 2015 when a hiker was killed by a grizzly bear with cubs.
According to our pals at RoadSnacks, Douglas is among the most dangerous cities in Wyoming. They took into account cities with a population of more than 5,000 and analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report to come up with this; property crime per 100,000 people averages around 3,050. Violent crime per 100,000 people averages around 400. Yikes.
You don't hear that much about avalanches in Wyoming, but they are a real problem - especially in the western part of the state. In 2016, there were four deaths due to avalanches in the Teton Range. These were either snowboarders or skiers.
There is something deadly lurking underneath Yellowstone. The park sits on top of a large supervolcano known as a caldera that could wreak havoc on the whole continent. While it is deadly, it won't be so in the near future; scientists don't believe it will erupt any time over the next few thousand years, so we're good... for now.
9. Lunatic Fringe – Green River
According to Singletracks, Lunatic Fringe in Green River is one of the most dangerous mountain biking trails in the world. This 4-mile trail is recommended for experts only. Features include ladder bridges, climbs up to 1,000′, and has a lot of technical turns. There are drops ranging anywhere from 3′ to 7′. Total elevation is 6,155′.
Can you think of any other dangerous or deadly areas in the state? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Dangerous Places in Wyoming
February 06, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the most dangerous natural wonders in Wyoming?
Wyoming is a place that is as beautiful as it is dangerous; it seems like everywhere you turn, you’re sure to find another natural wonder that can be, ultimately, very dangerous. For example, the state’s got not one but two National Parks that are the most dangerous in the country: Grand Teton National Park, and, unsurprisingly, Yellowstone National Park. Both are ridiculously beautiful, and both are incredibly dangerous should you play your cards wrong. 3.4 million people tend to visit Grand Teton National Park annually, and about 48 of them never make it out alive. With 4 million visitors annually, Yellowstone National Park is among the most popular National Parks in the country, but it also sees about 52 deaths per year. Then, there are the more general – but still quite dangerous – natural wonders in Wyoming like the wildlife (grizzly bears, anyone?), the rapids in rivers, and extreme temperature swings, especially during winter. Read more about the deadliness of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in this article.
What are the most dangerous towns in Wyoming?
According to our friends at RoadSnacks, Wyoming is a relatively safe place to rest your head. Like anywhere else, though, it does have its cities and towns that qualify as more dangerous than the rest, be it for crime rates, natural disasters, etc. As of 2021, the most dangerous town in Wyoming to live in is Riverton, which has a population of just over 11,000 and sees 345 violent crimes per 100,000 residents annually. Cheyenne comes in at #2, which makes sense, considering its size, but the fact that this town, with its population of 64,500 people, has 341 violent crimes per 100,000 residents – similar to Riverton – is a little alarming. Overall, though, do keep in mind that Wyoming has a remarkably low crime rate; it’s one of the safest places to call home in the United States!
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I am a freelance writer who also has been a small business owner and worked in the fields of insurance, accounting, and education. I enjoy spending time with family, reading, writing, photography, music, running, sports, and of course traveling!
