TL;DR
Deaths at U.S. national parks decreased in 2025 to 198, down from previous years. Men represent the vast majority of fatalities, primarily due to risk-taking and vehicle accidents. Five parks account for a quarter of all deaths.
In 2025, 198 people died at National Park Service sites across the United States, marking a decline from previous years, with men accounting for 83% of those fatalities. This demographic trend remains consistent despite overall reductions in deaths, highlighting ongoing safety concerns for male visitors.
The National Park Service’s 2025 mortality report shows a total of 198 deaths, down from an average of over 300 annually during the pandemic years of 2020-2023. Men accounted for 114 of these deaths, women for 23, and the sex of 61 individuals was unrecorded. Experts attribute the high male fatality rate to risk-taking behaviors and participation in high-risk activities, such as solo backpacking and off-trail climbing, which are more common among men.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that men are also more likely to die in motor vehicle collisions, with nearly 70% of such fatalities being male. The most common causes of death at parks remain motor vehicle accidents and drownings, especially at highly accessible parks like Lake Mead, Great Smoky Mountains, and Blue Ridge Parkway. Five parks alone accounted for 25% of all fatalities in 2025, with Lake Mead recording the highest number of deaths overall.
Why It Matters
This trend underscores ongoing safety challenges for visitors, particularly men, and highlights the impact of accessibility and risk behaviors on mortality rates in national parks. The data suggests that safety measures targeting high-risk activities and vehicle safety could significantly reduce fatalities in the future.
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Background
Previous years saw higher death tolls, with an average of over 350 annually before the pandemic. The pandemic years saw a reduction, possibly due to decreased visitation or increased safety measures. The five parks with the highest death counts—Lake Mead, Blue Ridge Parkway, Natchez Trace Scenic Byway, Great Smoky Mountains, and Yosemite—are among the most visited and most accessible, correlating with higher fatality numbers.
“Men seem to inherently think they can do certain things that may traditionally fall into ‘masculine’ roles. Some people think that because they’re male, they have some advantage in the wilderness. That’s just not true.”
— Dan Whitten, retired search-and-rescue expert
“The most dangerous thing most of us do on a daily basis is drive. The fears about wilderness dangers are statistically insignificant compared to everyday risks.”
— Whitten
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What Remains Unclear
It is still unclear whether recent safety initiatives have significantly impacted the decline in overall deaths or if other factors, such as changes in visitation patterns, contributed. Data on fatalities beyond 2025 is not yet available, and detailed reasons for the demographic disparities require further study.
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What’s Next
Next steps include analyzing safety interventions at the most affected parks and developing targeted risk mitigation strategies, especially for male visitors. The National Park Service is expected to release more detailed reports on causes and prevention efforts in upcoming years.
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Key Questions
Why do men account for most fatalities in national parks?
Experts attribute this to risk-taking behaviors, participation in high-risk activities, and higher involvement in vehicle accidents, which are more common among men.
Are fatalities decreasing overall at national parks?
Yes, fatalities declined in 2025 compared to previous years, with total deaths dropping from over 300 to 198.
Which parks have the highest death tolls?
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, Natchez Trace Scenic Byway, and Yosemite are the parks with the most deaths in 2025.
What are the main causes of death in parks?
The primary causes are motor vehicle accidents and drownings, especially at parks with high accessibility and visitation.
Will safety measures improve in the future?
The National Park Service is expected to analyze current data and implement targeted safety strategies, but specific plans have not yet been announced.
Source: Outside
