How many people died in national parks last year?

In 2022, 204 people died. However, the deadliest years in that nine-year period were both 2017 and 2019, when 320 died across two dozen national park sites. The leading cause of death — after “not reported” — was motor vehicle crashes, which was responsible for 37 deaths across more than two dozen national park sites.



People Also Ask

Newly released data collected by the Public Risk Management Program from the National Park Service system shows that between 2014 and early April 2023, over 2,600 visitors died in national parks. Of those 204 died in 2022 alone.

MORE DETAILS

In a 2019 statement, National Park Service chief spokesman Jeremy Barnum said there's an average of six deaths each week within the considerable National Park System. That's approximately 312 deaths per year, or one death for every 1 million visitors.

MORE DETAILS

While the National Park System comprises 423 national park sites, only 63 of them have the National Park designation in their names. The other sites fall into different National Park System categories like National Historic Sites, National Monuments, National Seashores, National Recreation Areas, and others.

MORE DETAILS

Seven years ago, Brad Ryan and his grandmother, Joy Ryan, set out on the adventure of a lifetime — visiting all 63 U.S. National Parks. Now 41 and 92 years old, the duo will complete their journey this April in American Samoa.

MORE DETAILS