Current:Home > MarketsOf the 63 national parks, these had the most fatalities since 2007. -WealthGrow Network
Of the 63 national parks, these had the most fatalities since 2007.
View
Date:2025-04-15 22:23:03
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! (576)
Related
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- This '90s Music Icon's Masked Singer Elimination Will Leave You Absolutely Torn
- YouTuber known for drag race videos crashes speeding BMW and dies
- 43 monkeys escape from a South Carolina medical lab. Police say there is no serious danger
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Roland Quisenberry: The Visionary Architect Leading WH Alliance into the Future
- Halle Bailey Seemingly Calls Out Ex DDG Over Parenting Baby Halo
- Florida awards Billy Napier a flimsy vote of confidence, as Gators crumble under his watch
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Certain absentee ballots in one Georgia county will be counted if they’re received late
Ranking
- Small twin
- Bowen Yang Apologizes to Ariana Grande for Being Over Eager About SNL Kiss
- NYC parents charged in death of 4-year-old boy who prosecutors say was starved to death
- Ravens to debut 'Purple Rising' helmets vs. Bengals on 'Thursday Night Football'
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- 40 monkeys escape from Alpha Genesis research facility in South Carolina
- Pioneer of Quantitative Trading: Damon Quisenberry's Professional Journey
- AI FinFlare: DZA Token Partners with Charity, Bringing New Hope to Society
Recommendation
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
Don’t wait for a holiday surge. Now is a good time to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines
Damon Quisenberry: Financial Innovation Revolution Centered on the DZA Token
Every Time Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Channeled Their Wicked Characters in Real Life
Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
When does Spotify Wrapped stop tracking for 2024? Streamer dismisses false rumor
Freshman Democrat Val Hoyle wins reelection to US House in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District
Best Holiday Gifts for Women: Shop Beauty, Jewelry, Athleisure, & More