Most Dangerous National Parks In The USA

Seeker Editors

Nothing says summer quite like some exploration into the great outdoors- and the United States is full of epic national parks with breathtaking landscapes and unique wildlife to discover. We *love* getting adventurous and taking in the rocky coastlines, picturesque lakes, and towering waterfalls that this beautiful country has to offer- but not without caution. Here is a collection of some of the most dangerous national parks, with consideration into how many deaths occurred and why at each location. This list is in no way trying to keep you away from some fun, just always use common sense and follow expert guidelines during your summer escapades. Better safe than sorry!

Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Yellowstone National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Denali National Park and Preserve, North Cascades National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park

  • Golden Gate National Recreation Area, United States

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      This bay area getaway in sunny California rests along the coast and attracts plenty of beachgoers- but beware, the most dangerous aspect of this gorgeous park is the water. Sudden and unpredictable rip currents create dangerous situations for swimmers at this popular beach location.

  • Yellowstone National Park, United States

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      Yellowstone National Park houses a supervolcano, a grand canyon, gushing geysers, and a plethora of wildlife and insects. Please do your research on how to act, in case of a bear encounter. You should be warned that simply visiting the park might make you suffer from altitude sickness, as the location sits 8000 feet above sea level.

  • Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, United States

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      Unsurprisingly at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the most common cause of death was drowning. Drowning is an inevitable symptom when the majority of visitors of the park head to the lake for recreational boating. There notably were six homicides at Lake Mead within ten years, placing the popular spot first as the national park with the most homicides across the country.

  • Denali National Park and Preserve in Denali National Park and Preserve, United States

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      Hidden amongst Alaska's widely unexplored tundra, Denali National Park ranks first as the most dangerous in the state, and among the top most dangerous in the country. Exposure to the elements is the primary cause of death at this enormous park, with sudden changes in weather and lack of resources being creating fatal situations. Denali also attracts plenty of mountaineers to its rocky landscape, causing falls to be another major cause of death at the park.

  • North Cascades National Park in Washington, United States

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      North Cascades in Washington state is the most probable park where one would suffer a fatal accident, as concluded by the National Parks Service in 2018. One of the least popular national parks to visit in the country, the rugged geography combined with glacial features and lack of road and other infrastructures is what truly exposes visitors to the wilderness.

  • Yosemite National Park, United States

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      Renowned for its epic views, and ancient natural treasures, Yosemite also comes with its fair share of dangers. Expert Mountain Guides can’t stress enough to use your common sense and practice situational awareness as you navigate through the valleys of Yosemite. Beware of any wildlife, whether bears, mountain lions, or squirrels, which the latter has been known to spread the Plague around the park.

  • Grand Canyon National Park, United States

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      The dangers facing visitors to the Grand Canyon are pretty clear to see, with drops of up to 100 feet into the base of the canyon itself. The biggest cause of death however was due to medical complications that were often exasperated by the extreme climate that varies throughout the massive park, reaching extreme highs and lows.