Grand Canyon National Park has garnered a reputation as the deadliest national park in the United States, according to records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Despite its smaller size and lower visitor count compared to many other national parks, Grand Canyon leads in the number of missing person reports, deaths, and even suicides from 2018 through the early months of this year.
The park has seen at least 56 reported cases of missing individuals and six confirmed deaths during this period. However, the records obtained were incomplete and redacted due to privacy regulations, providing only a glimpse into the incidents within the extensive national parks network.
Additional data revealed that other national parks also experienced fatalities. Lake Mead, spanning Arizona and Nevada, saw at least five deaths, while Yosemite, Death Valley, and Golden Gate National Parks reported at least four deaths each.
Olympic National Park in Washington had the second-highest number of missing person reports since 2018, followed by Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
Ken Phillips, a retired former chief of emergency services and search and rescue agent with the National Park Service, stated that the recorded death toll at the Grand Canyon likely underestimates the actual number. He explained that on average, the canyon experiences around 12 fatalities per year, resulting from various factors such as heat stroke, lightning strikes, drownings in the river, air crashes, suicides, and accidental falls.
Grand Canyon National Park remains a popular destination despite the risks involved. It had approximately 4.7 million visitors in 2022, making it the second most-visited national park after Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Phillips attributed the higher risk factors at the Grand Canyon to its peak visitation during the summer months in the desert, altitude sickness due to elevation, and the physical challenge of hiking uphill after descending into the canyon.
Search and rescue efforts in the Grand Canyon pose unique challenges due to its vast and intricate terrain. It is the only national park in the U.S. with a year-round helicopter presence to assist with rescues.
Finding individuals in need within the expansive park can be likened to searching for a needle in a haystack, according to Phillips.
Tragic incidents described in the records include the discovery of a deceased individual's remains in February 2021, spotted from a helicopter flying over the Yavapai Geology Museum area. The remains were recovered the following day, situated approximately 450 feet below the canyon's rim.
In another case, the body of a suicide victim was found near the First Trail View overlook after the individual had been reported missing earlier. The records also documented a person reported missing in August 2021, whose body was later discovered close to the geology museum. Investigations determined that these incidents involved suicides.
Despite the risks and the challenges faced, Grand Canyon National Park continues to captivate visitors with its awe-inspiring beauty, attracting millions each year.
