A brand new examine has revealed the deadliest nationwide parks in America, and Lake Mead Nationwide Recreation Space is in first place. Data collected by the Public Danger Administration Program (PRMP) was analyzed by private harm legal professional Connecticut Trial Agency, which seemed on the variety of fatalities that occurred in nationwide parks between July 2013 and July 2023 to find out the nation’s most harmful nationwide parks .
The examine discovered that Lake Mead Nationwide Recreation Space, situated on the border between Nevada and Arizona, is essentially the most harmful, with 6.9% of deaths in nationwide parks in America between 2013 and 2023.
The park, famously residence to the Hoover Dam, noticed a complete of 203 deaths on this time-frame, a whopping 1,235% extra deaths than common.
Lake Mead has made headlines in recent times for its excessive variety of water-related deaths, with 56 drownings occurring between 2013 and 2023, accounting for 12% of the 466 whole drowning deaths in nationwide parks.
The information reveals that 44 deaths occurred on Lake Mead throughout the month of July, which means 21% of the deaths occurred throughout the summer season month when individuals are most certainly to return to swim or use the accessible leisure actions on the water.
Yosemite Nationwide Park was discovered to be the second ‘deadliest’ within the information, with 152 recorded deaths over the ten-year interval, accounting for five.2% of all nationwide park deaths. Medical emergencies have been discovered to be the main explanation for dying, with 34 deaths, whereas falls have been the second most typical trigger, contributing to 33 deaths.
Yosemite Nationwide Park is answerable for greater than 1 in 8 (12.7%) fall deaths of all nationwide parks and is the best charge nationally.
The third ‘deadliest’ was discovered to be Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, the eleventh largest park within the nation, which additionally comprises certainly one of America’s most well-known geological sights. The park recorded 136 deaths, accounting for 4.6% of all recorded nationwide park deaths over the ten-year time interval.
The Arizonan park, which is the twelfth most visited within the nation, was discovered to have the best variety of deaths (56) associated to medical emergencies of every other park nationwide.
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park recorded the best variety of deaths in June, with 21% of all deaths occurring throughout the first month of summer season.
Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park appeared fourth on the record with a complete of 104 deaths. It was discovered that the best variety of deaths occurred in September on common over a ten-year interval.
The fifth deadliest park is the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile scenic drive that spans Virginia and North Carolina, with 100 fatalities over a 10-year interval. The main explanation for dying was site visitors accidents, wherein 38 folks died.
The ten deadliest nationwide parks
Rank |
Nationwide Park |
Whole variety of recorded deaths (2013 – 2023) |
The commonest explanation for dying |
Variety of deaths from the most typical trigger |
Most harmful month(s) |
1. |
Lake Mead Nationwide Recreation Space |
203 |
Drowning |
56 |
July |
2. |
Yosemite Nationwide Park |
152 |
Medical |
34 |
July |
3. |
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park |
136 |
Medical |
53 |
June |
4. |
Nice Smoky Mountain Nationwide Park |
104 |
Motorized vehicle incident |
36 |
September |
5. |
Blue Ridge Parkway |
100 |
Motorized vehicle incident |
38 |
Could |
6. |
Natchez Hint Parkway |
89 |
Motorized vehicle incident |
67 |
August |
7. |
Baltimore-Washington Parkway |
83 |
Motorized vehicle incident |
41 |
October |
8. |
Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space |
75 |
Drowning |
20 |
August |
9. |
Golden Gate Nationwide Recreation Space |
70 |
Indeterminate |
25 |
March Could June October |
10. |
Yellowstone Nationwide Park |
53 |
Medical |
14 |
August |
Knowledge from July 2013 to August 2023 (self-harm mortality information omitted from outcomes)
Aside from the ‘deadliest’ nationwide parks, the info additionally highlighted some worrying statistics on deaths by gender.
Regardless of a 2021 examine within the Journal of Leisure Analysis suggesting that extra ladies go to nationwide parks than males, practically three-quarters (1,729) of unintended deaths over the previous ten years have been males.
Among the many causes of dying, males have been most certainly to die from drowning, medical incidents and motorcar collisions. Actually, males have been discovered to be 85% extra prone to die from drowning and 82% extra prone to die from a medical incident than ladies.
“Nationwide parks are an unimaginable leisure useful resource and might encourage awe in those that go to them,” stated Ryan McKeen, CEO and co-founder of Connecticut Trial Agency, which analyzed the info.
“Nevertheless, nationwide parks can nonetheless current some stage of danger, with drowning, medical emergencies and motorcar accidents accounting for 48% of park deaths over the previous ten years.
“We needed to look at documented deaths which have occurred in nationwide parks to assist advise and scale back future accidents for future guests.”
Ryan shared his high suggestions for staying secure when visiting nationwide parks this spring:
Study the foundations
Every park has its personal guidelines about security and areas which might be secure for exploring and tenting, which may be discovered on-line. It is crucial that you just learn them earlier than embarking in your journey.
The Nationwide Park Basis recommends creating an emergency plan within the occasion of an harm or medical incident and training earlier than leaving as a result of telephones and cell service can’t be counted on.
When you’ve got any well being issues, deliver a card with a abstract of your situations and any medicines you’re taking. Additionally, persist with marked trails when touring if a rescue workforce wants to search out and attain you.
Be prepared
Figures present 76 folks died from hypothermia, which might develop if guests get misplaced and do not pack the precise gear.
The Nationwide Park Basis recommends making ready ten particular gadgets:
- Navigation – compass and map
- Safety from the solar – sunscreen and a hat
- Insulation – waterproof jacket, thermal insulation
- Lighting – flashlights or headlamps
- First help provides
- Hearth – matches and a lighter
- Restore equipment and instruments – tape, knife, drill set
- Diet – high-energy meals
- Hydration – water and water therapy
- Emergency shelter – tent or tarpaulin
Benefit from the water safely
Some parks prohibit entry into our bodies of water, and for good motive. Don’t be tempted to chill off by swimming if it isn’t secure to take action because the lakes may be a number of tales deep and usually are not at all times appropriate for inexperienced swimmers.
If coming into the water is allowed, think about a buddy system the place you possibly can take turns recognizing buddies to cut back danger.
America’s Deadliest Nationwide Parks Lake Mead Nationwide Recreation Space Public Danger Administration Program (PRMP) Connecticut Testing Firm