Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. News

It’s official: These are the most dangerous national parks in the United States

Be careful when visiting these parks

By
Lake Mead
AnnBoulais / Pixabay

America’s national parks may be stunning, but they can also be deadly. Every year, millions of visitors flock to these protected landscapes for adventure, but hidden dangers lurk beneath the beauty – from treacherous cliffs to unpredictable waters and wildlife encounters.

To shed light on the risks, Malloy Law Offices analyzed data from the National Park Service (NPS), reviewing fatal incidents from 2014 to 2023. Their findings reveal which national parks pose the greatest dangers and why.

Recommended Videos

Topping the list as the deadliest national park in the U.S. is Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with 204 fatal incidents over the past decade. Drowning is the leading cause of death, followed by motor vehicle crashes.

Coming in second is Grand Canyon National Park, where 134 fatalities have occurred, many due to falls from steep cliffs and medical emergencies like heat exhaustion and cardiac events.

“The Grand Canyon’s steep cliffs and intense hikes demand heightened physical readiness,” notes Malloy Law Offices founder Seann Malloy. “It’s important that visitors stay on marked trails and recognize the limits of their physical condition.” 

In third place is Yosemite National Park, famous for its dramatic landscapes, but also its dangers. Falls account for 42 deaths, making it a particularly risky destination for hikers and rock climbers navigating its sheer cliffs and rugged terrain.

“Yosemite’s rocky landscapes can deceive even the most experienced hikers,” warns Malloy. “Staying cautious and properly equipped is essential, particularly near ledges and waterfalls.” 

The most dangerous national parks: The full list

Grand Canyon
DomCarver / Pixabay
  1. Lake Mead National Recreation Area: 204 incidents
  2. Grand Canyon National Park: 134 incidents
  3. Yosemite National Park: 125 incidents
  4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 99 incidents
  5. Blue Ridge Parkway: 97 incidents
  6. Natchez Trace Parkway: 96 incidents
  7. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: 77 incidents
  8. Golden Gate National Recreation Area: 72 incidents
  9. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: 65 incidents
  10. Baltimore-Washington Parkway: 62 incidents
Amanda Teague
Amanda Teague
Contributor
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…
Topics
Savannah Beyond the Postcard
Take a look at one of the greatest southern cities from a different perspective.
Architecture, Building, Spire

Savannah is one of those cities that seems almost too easy to like. The live oaks are dramatic. The Spanish moss does exactly what it is supposed to do. The brick sidewalks buckle in all the right places. The houses look like they were designed by people who understood proportion, shade, and the value of a proper front step. Even the light seems to arrive with better manners than it does in most places.

I have a built-in advantage when it comes to Savannah. We have family there, so we have been back several times, not just once for the checklist version of the city. I have also done a photography workshop there, which is a terrific way to learn any city. You get up early, stay out late, and pay attention to alleys, doorways, ironwork, reflections, and the way a city changes when the tourists are still asleep.

Read more
I spent 72 hours in London with only a carry-on. Here’s how I did it in style
Luxury travel doesn't require a checked bag
London

Somewhere between the baggage claim carousel and the Elizabeth Line, I realized I'd already won. As passengers from my Norwegian flight to London crowded around the conveyor belt waiting for checked luggage to appear, I was already on my way into the city. Twenty minutes later, I was headed toward central London with nothing more than a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. I've become a bit of a carry-on evangelist over the past few years. Not because I'm trying to prove some minimalist point or because I enjoy seeing how few shirts I can survive with. I just genuinely think it's the better way to travel, especially for a long weekend in Europe.

My recent 72-hour trip from Copenhagen to London wasn't exactly a backpacker's itinerary. It included a stay at one of London's nicest luxury hotels, rooftop cocktails, dinners worth dressing up for, and plenty of walking through Soho, Covent Garden, and the rest of central London. Somehow, everything I needed fit inside my Travelpro Platinum Elite Slim Cabin Hardshell Spinner V2, with a backpack holding my flight essentials.

Read more
This New Montana Hotel Captures the Poetry of the Open Road
Helena's newest boutique hotel revives the spirit of the classic roadside motel.
Corner, Home Decor, Bed

In case you need another excuse for a Montana getaway this summer, a quirky new boutique hotel has opened in Helena, the Treasure State's capital. The Bell Hotel occupies the site of the former Bell Motel, a classic 1950s roadside lodge thoughtfully reimagined by CWG Architecture. Each of its 14 rooms features locally made chocolates, coffee, and artwork. While in town, ask the front desk about the Bell's Picnic in the Park package. The hotel supplies a basket of local treats and a blanket; Montana provides the sublime scenery and glorious weather. You're on your own for companionship.

Hannah honey was a peachy kind of girl /Her eyes were hazel and her nose was slightly curved /We spent a lonely night at the Memory Motel- The Rolling Stones

Read more