Current:Home > MyOf the 63 national parks, these had the most fatalities since 2007. -CapitalTrack
Of the 63 national parks, these had the most fatalities since 2007.
View
Date:2025-04-18 11:53:58
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! (1517)
Related
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- 100 hilarious Thanksgiving jokes your family and friends will gobble up this year
- Horoscopes Today, November 5, 2023
- Prince William cheers on 15 finalists of Earthshot Prize ahead of awards ceremony
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Dive-boat Conception captain found guilty of manslaughter that killed 34
- The spectacle of Sam Bankman-Fried's trial
- Job openings tumble in some industries, easing worker shortages. Others still struggle.
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- ‘Priscilla’ stars Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi on trust, Sofia and souvenirs
Ranking
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Election might not settle Connecticut mayor’s race upended by video of ballot box stuffing
- Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker welcome baby. Let the attachment parenting begin.
- The college basketball season begins with concerns about the future of the NCAA tournament
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Don't Be a Cotton-Headed Ninnymuggins: Check Out 20 Secrets About Elf
- James Corden to host SiriusXM show 'This Life of Mine with James Corden': 'A new chapter'
- Colorado is deciding if homeowner tax relief can come out of a refund that’s one-of-a-kind in the US
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Trump clashes with judge, defends business record in testimony at New York fraud trial
A fire at the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has killed 2 workers repairing generators
Ex-gang leader to get date for murder trial stemming from 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Mexican governor says 1 child died and 3 others were exposed to fentanyl, but downplays the issue
Keanu Reeves and Girlfriend Alexandra Grant Make Rare Public Outing at Star-Studded Event
Gigi Hadid's Star-Studded Night Out in NYC Featured a Cameo Appearance by Bradley Cooper