When we think of death in our country’s national parks, we usually conjure up images and headlines of bear attacks in Yellowstone, Glacier, or Grand Teton National Parks. However, what you’ll be surprised to hear is that the deadliest park is none of the above and bear attacks are actually one of the least likely ways to die in a National Park.
Related: Top 10 Most Visited National Parks
Instead, drowning is the most common form of death in our NPS by a wide margin reports the Washington Post. The second most– car accidents.
Does that mean we think it’s okay to go for a hike in the northern rockies without bear spray– certainly not.
Note: The following statistics are drawn from 2014 and include the number of deaths for that year.
The 5 Deadliest National Parks
5) Zion/ Yellowstone- 4
4) RMNP/ Grand Teton- 6
3) Mount Rainier- 10
2) Lake Mead- 12
1) Grand Canyon- 13
Find the entire Washinton Post article here: Here’s what really kills people at national parks