National parks draw millions of adventurers each year, but the stunning scenery can hide a terrifying unfortunate side—nature’s hidden hazards that sometimes end in tragedy.
Terrifying Unfortunate Incidents in America’s National Parks
10 Fall from Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
Half Dome, the granite monolith that crowns Yosemite, is a bucket‑list climb for many hikers. In 2026, 29‑year‑old Danielle Burnett slipped on the steep upper section and plummeted more than 500 feet (152 meters) to her death. She was navigating the infamous cable route that forces hikers to haul themselves up the sheer face.
Danielle’s tragedy underscored the perils of this “cable zone.” The cables are a notorious danger hotspot, and she became at least the 12th person to die while attempting the summit. Over the years the park has tried to improve safety: wood beams now give climbers a place to rest, the park recommends (though does not require) a safety harness, and daily permit quotas limit how many people can be on the trail at once.
9 Grizzly Bear Attack, Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in Montana is famed for its dramatic peaks and roaming megafauna. In a heartbreaking 2026 incident, 38‑year‑old U.S. Forest Service officer Brad Treat was mountain‑biking with a friend when he inadvertently collided with a grizzly bear. The impact threw him from his bike, and the bear mauled him while his companion sprinted for help.
Bear encounters are rare but deadly. The Forest Service advises anyone who meets a bear to:
- Stay as calm as possible while talking to the bear and slowly waving your arms
- Pick up small children
- Make yourself appear as big as possible
- Don’t run or climb trees
- Don’t act or sound like prey
- Leave the bear an exit and slowly move away
8 Fall from Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park
Angel’s Landing is Zion’s crown jewel—a narrow ridge with sheer drop‑offs that rewards hikers with jaw‑dropping vistas. The trail demands the use of metal chains for support, and the final stretch can feel like a vertical scramble.
In 2017, 45‑year‑old Tate Volino lost his footing on the precarious section and fell roughly 1,000 feet (305 meters) to his death. The incident reminded park officials that the trail is not for the inexperienced, and they now urge visitors to respect the difficulty rating and consider the chain‑assisted sections seriously.
7 Flash Flood, Zion National Park
Slot canyons in Zion can transform from tranquil waterways to raging torrents in minutes. In 2015, a group of seven hikers were caught in a flash flood while trekking Keyhole Canyon after a half‑inch of rain fell in an hour. The sudden surge swept them downstream, illustrating how quickly water levels can rise.
Before heading into a canyon, check the park’s flash‑flood rating and keep an eye on the sky. Signs that a flood may be imminent include:
- Puddles beginning to form
- Change in water color of an existing stream
- Existing water source showing an increase in debris
- You can hear rushing water
If you find yourself in a flood‑prone area, aim for higher ground. While exiting the canyon is ideal, remember you can outrun a flash flood. Additional survival tips:
- Don’t swim in or try crossing a flood
- Avoid climbing onto rocks or shelves if possible; you might become stranded or forced to swim
- If you’re stranded, stay put and let the water subside
6 Lightning Strike, Rocky Mountain National Park
High‑altitude parks are lightning magnets. In 2014, a group trekking through Rocky Mountain National Park was struck by a bolt of lightning. One hiker was killed outright, and seven others suffered injuries ranging from burns to cardiac arrest.
The park urges visitors to heed weather forecasts, avoid exposed ridgelines during storms, and seek low‑lying shelter if thunder roars overhead. Staying away from tall trees, open fields, and metal objects can reduce the risk of becoming a lightning target.
5 Fall from the Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon’s sheer cliffs are awe‑inspiring—and deadly. In April 2018, a 35‑year‑old photographer stepped back to frame a shot, lost his footing, and fell over 1,000 feet (305 meters) to his demise.
While the canyon draws millions annually, roughly a dozen visitors die each year, many from accidental falls. The park stresses staying on designated trails, keeping a safe distance from the rim’s edge, and supervising children and pets at all times.
4 Drowning, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cool waters can be tempting on a hot summer hike, but the Great Smoky Mountains lack official swimming areas. In 2022, a 61‑year‑old kayaker slipped into the Sinks—a deep, fast‑moving pool—and never resurfaced.
The incident highlights hidden currents, shifting rocks, and deep pools that can turn a quick dip into a tragedy. Park officials advise never swimming alone, avoiding jumps from cliffs, and always wearing appropriate safety gear.
3 Plane Crash, Denali National Park
Denali’s rugged wilderness isn’t just a challenge for hikers; it can be perilous for aircraft too. In 2018, a sightseeing plane carrying a pilot and four passengers crashed deep within the park, killing everyone aboard.
Rescue efforts were thwarted when a subsequent earthquake caused part of the mountain to collapse, burying the wreckage and rendering recovery impossible. The tragedy underscores the importance of strict backcountry safety protocols and the unpredictable nature of remote terrain.
2 Heatstroke, Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree’s desert heat can be unforgiving. In 2018, a hiker succumbed to heatstroke while traversing the park’s arid trails, where temperatures easily top 100 °F (38 °C).
Preventing heat‑related emergencies means staying hydrated with water and electrolytes, wearing loose, breathable clothing, and shielding yourself with a wide‑brimmed hat. If someone shows signs of heatstroke—dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat—move them to shade, administer cool fluids, and seek medical help immediately. Gradual acclimatization and avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat are also key safeguards.
1 Falling Tree, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nature’s hazards sometimes come from above. In July 2022, a 2‑foot‑wide red maple unexpectedly toppled onto a family’s tent in the Great Smoky Mountains, crushing the sleeping area and killing a seven‑year‑old girl. The parents and two other daughters escaped physical injury.
Investigators could not determine why the tree fell, marking this as the first recorded death caused by a falling tree on a tent in the park’s history. The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder that even seemingly innocuous elements of the wilderness can turn deadly.