The national park system in the US is full of natural wonders. There are over 400 national park sites across the country, including the 63 national parks that are generally the most recognizable to casual visitors. Over 325 million people visited a national park site in 2023, and in 2024, guests have plenty to consider before hitting the road.
Safety is a major factor to consider when planning a visit to a national park site. Over the years, thousands of travelers have died in national parks, and while none of the parks themselves are inherently dangerous, some seem to pose more risks than others.
Multiple studies have been done to determine the safety of national parks. KÜHL outdoor outfitters recently ranked all 63 national parks for safety based on fatalities, search and rescue missions, and proximity to medical care. Their data was able to determine the safest national parks in the US, as well as some of the most dangerous.
Connecticut Trial Firm has taken the search a step further, analyzing all 434 national park sites for safety based on the number of deaths that occurred between 2013 and 2013. Combining the findings from these studies, here are the most dangerous national parks in the US, having claimed a combined 1,065 lives over the last ten years.
