The Deadliest National Parks in the United States, Ranked

Getting outside can be one of the most rewarding activities. But it’s also no secret that venturing into the wild comes with inherent risks, which is why its so important to maintain a sense of humility when recreating in nature. From following National Parks guidelines to investing in your own survival skills, there are plenty of ways to minimize danger. But even so, things can go sideways. New research done by the outdoor clothing brand KÜHL examined 16 years of data on deaths, missing persons, rescue missions, trail closures, ranger presence, number of visitors, and proximity to hospitals in all 63 U.S. national parks—and ranked America’s most dangerous ones. The results may surprise you.

“The analysis shows that the most dangerous national parks tend to share several key traits—they are isolated, have rugged terrain, and experience extreme weather,” says Oded Gross, marketing specialist at KÜHL. “The leading causes of fatal incidents are typically linked to human error or failure to follow safety guidelines. Visitors should always exercise caution and adhere to the National Park Service’s safety measures whenever they embark on a hiking or camping trip.”

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It’s worth noting that despite these rankings, national parks remain relatively safe. The average odds of a fatal incident in national parks are about 1 in 859,839 visitors, which is lower than the risk of dying in a traffic crash (1 in 485). Here’s what they had to say about the parks named in the report, listed here from the most dangerous.

Wrangell-St.Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska

“Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, the largest national park in the United States, stands out as the most dangerous park in the country. Its massive size, remote location, and harsh Alaskan weather contribute to its reputation, so it’s not entirely surprising that the park has recorded 50 search and rescue missions and nine fatalities.”

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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

“The popular Grand Canyon National Park claims second place among the most dangerous national parks in America. Famous for its stunning beauty, the Grand Canyon has attracted an average of 5 million visitors each year over the past 16 years; however, not all take safety precautions seriously and this has led to 1,633 search and rescue missions and 169 fatalities within the park.”

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

“Isle Royale National Park, a remote island cluster, comes in third on the list of the most unsafe national parks in America. With its stunning yet isolated landscapes and limited infrastructure, the park makes it harder for visitors in need of medical assistance to reach a hospital within an hour. Isle Royale has recorded 69 search and rescue missions, and two people lost their lives there.”

Big Bend National Park, Texas

“Considered Texas’ gift to the nation, Big Bend National Park ranks fourth among the most dangerous national parks. Beautifully merging desert landscapes, rugged mountains, and the stunning Rio Grande, the park can also be dangerous for those who do not follow safety guidelines. 32 people have lost their lives in Big Bend National Park and 266 search and rescue missions were conducted here. “

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Denali National Park & Preserve, Alaska

“Another breathtaking destination in Alaska, Denali National Park & Preserve, holds the fifth position on the danger list. Renowned for having the highest peak in North America, the park provides not only spectacular views but also extreme weather conditions and limited infrastructure, which led to 245 search and rescue missions and 65 fatalities recorded in the park.”

North Cascades National Park, Washington

“North Cascades National Park is ranked as the sixth most dangerous location in America for hiking or camping. Although it boasts stunning forested valleys, waterfalls, and glaciers, there is limited access to hospitals, and not enough park rangers are available for assistance. 24 people have lost their lives in the park, and 217 rescue missions have been conducted here.”

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

“The seventh place on the danger list is taken by Florida’s Dry Tortugas National Park. This exotic national park, with stunning blue waters and marine life, has its own dangers, which led to six deaths and 13 search and rescue missions in the last years.” 

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

“The eighth place on the list belongs to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Home to the world’s largest Permian fossil reef and serene forests, this park has challenging terrain and a remote location, making it difficult for visitors to reach a hospital in under an hour if needed. Six fatalities have occurred in the park, and 89 search and rescue missions have been initiated there.”

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Yosemite National Park, California

“Recognized for its majestic waterfalls and cliffs, Yosemite National Park is the third most visited national park in America and one of the most dangerous. It has the highest number of missing person cases, the most search and rescue missions, and the second-highest fatalities. Eleven people have gone missing in Yosemite and remain unfound, 164 have lost their lives, and 1,641 rescue missions have taken place here.”

Channel Islands National Park, California

“Including a marine sanctuary and stunning views, Channel Islands National Park is undeniably one of the most beautiful parks in the U.S., though not one of the safest. Its remote location makes accessing medical care difficult in emergencies. The park has recorded 14 fatalities and around 75 rescue missions.”