Current:Home > InvestOf the 63 national parks, these had the most fatalities since 2007. -Wealth Empowerment Academy
Of the 63 national parks, these had the most fatalities since 2007.
View
Date:2025-04-25 20:42:32
National parks are one of the top destinations for tourists and hikers in the summertime, but they can also be potentially deadly places, if caught unprepared.
Most recently, a 41-year-old hiker who spent the night at the bottom of the Grand Canyon was found dead not far from where he overnighted. It is the second reported death at the Grand Canyon this year. Park rangers recovered the body of a missing 58-year-old in the Colorado River on May 10, according to the park service. Both deaths are under investigation.
An analysis by USA TODAY of National Park Service data dating back to 2007 found that Grand Canyon National Park has the most reported deaths of any other park. Here is what the data shows:
Graphics explain:How many people visit our America's national parks?
Grand Canyon is most fatal national park
Since 2007, 198 people have died in Grand Canyon National Park, according to the National Park Service. Although these deaths are alarming, the average odds of a fatal incident occurring in a national park are slim.
Outdoor clothing company KÜHL said on its website, "The average odds of a fatal incident in national parks are about 1 in 664,099 visitors,” They continued, “the odds of a pedestrian dying in a traffic crash are 1 in 485, according to the National Safety Council. Hiking in a national park usually presents fewer risks than going to your local coffee shop.”
These are the top causes of death in Grand Canyon National Park:
Which national parks had the most deaths?
With 63 national parks spanning the United States, visitors have their fair share of natural beauty to explore. From Acadia National Park in Maine to Olympic National Park in Washington and California's Yosemite to Tennessee and North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains, each park provides a unique experience.
It's important for visitors to prepare and research the parks beforehand so they know of any potential hazards.
The National Park Service has fatality data spanning its 63 parks, many recreation areas and other land run by the NPS. Between 2007 and March of this year, NPS reported more than 4,000 deaths in its parks, recreation areas, and all NPS-managed facilities.
Death statistics may not be an accurate measuring stick for safety because they don’t always reflect the bigger picture. For instance, the 198 deaths cited at Grand Canyon since 2007 are significant, but they represent a fraction of the more than 77.9 million people who visited the park over the same period.
Additionally, causes of death aren’t always related to the parks.
Suicide accounted for 93% of all reported intentional deaths, according to the park service.
Of the deaths reported in national parks, half of them were from unintentional causes. These include, vehicle crashes, drownings and fallings - which were the top three leading causes of death in parks.
How do you stay safe in a park?
The key to a safe national park visit is planning ahead and being fully prepared, beginning with individuals understanding the activities suitable for their skill level and educating themselves about potential hazards they may face. This is where the park service plays a crucial role.
Ina Hysi, an injury prevention specialist for the NPS previously shared tips with USA TODAY on how to prepare for your national park trip. Each park has its own dedicated website with information on hikes, campgrounds and more.
When it’s closer to their visit, travelers should check the park’s social media accounts for the latest updates. Visitors should always stop by the visitor center or a park ranger station to get the most up-to-date park conditions because “as we know, nature is unpredictable,” Hysi said.
veryGood! (61)
Related
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Democratic primary in Arizona’s 3rd District still close, could be headed for recount
- Too late for flood insurance? How to get ready for a looming tropical storm
- Sha'Carri Richardson gets silver but no storybook ending at Paris Olympics
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Competing for two: Pregnant Olympians push the boundaries of possibility in Paris
- Martin Scorsese’s Daughter Francesca Scorsese Details Her Mom’s Battle with Parkinson’s Disease
- Jimmer Fredette injury update: 3x3 star to miss 6 months after Olympic-ending injury
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- A college closes every week. How to know if yours is in danger of shutting down.
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Liz Taylor speaks from beyond the grave in 'Lost Tapes' documentary
- Man charged with sending son to kill rapper PnB Rock testifies, says ‘I had nothing to do with it’
- Tropical Storm Debby barrels toward Florida, with potential record-setting rains further north
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Olympics men's basketball quarterfinals set: USA faces Brazil, France plays Canada
- Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes Make Rare Appearance at 2024 Paris Olympics
- Horoscopes Today, August 3, 2024
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Trip to Normandy gives Olympic wrestler new perspective on what great-grandfather endured
From trash to trolls: This artist is transforming American garbage into mythical giants
Cooler weather helps firefighters corral a third of massive California blaze
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Simone Biles slips off the balance beam during event finals to miss the Olympic medal stand
Extreme Heat Is Making Schools Hotter—and Learning Harder
Kamala Harris is poised to become the Democratic presidential nominee