The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, spanning Tennessee and Kentucky, ranks as one of the deadliest national parks in the U.S. during winter, according to a new study by Atlanta-based injury lawyers John Foy & Associates. The study analyzed data from 432 national parks, focusing on deaths occurring from November to February over a 15-year period ending in 2023.
With an annual death rate of 4.24 per 10 million visitors, the Big South Fork places ninth in terms of danger among U.S. national parks and holds the highest fatality rate in Tennessee.
Despite this, the park recorded only five fatalities during the study period, which is relatively low compared to the 75 deaths at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. However, Lake Mead’s fatality rate was slightly higher at 6.23 deaths per 10 million visitors.
Notable causes of death at the Big South Fork include suicides, drownings, car accidents, and falls. Some fatalities have also been linked to heart attacks during outdoor activities like mountain biking and kayaking. Despite the relatively low number of total deaths, the park’s fatality rate is still concerning due to the nature of the risks visitors face.
For perspective, the most dangerous national parks, according to the study, include Sequoia and Kings Canyon in California, with 12.19 deaths per 10 million visitors, followed by Mount Rainier and Lake Mead. Other parks with notable fatality rates include Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite.