Trifter

According to Government Executive, a business news daily for federal managers and executives, these are the top 10 most dangerous National Parks in the United States.

1. Organ Pipe National Monument

   

   This beautiful desert park is along the Arizona-Mexico border. I’ve been here and it truly is a wonder but the border with Mexico also causes trouble for this park from illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

2. Big Bend National Park

   

   Big Bend is a huge National Park along the Texas-Mexico border separated by the Rio Grande River. Many hikers underestimate the harsh climate of the area and need to be rescued. Personally I saw a tarantula on a hike here but the real dangers in Big Bend involve drug smuggling and illegal immigrant traffic along the 100 mile border with Mexico.

3. Padre Island National Seashore

   

   Padre Island National Seashore protects the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world along the south coast of Texas. While such a long stretch of protected land is great for the environment it also plays into the hands of illegal immigrant traffic, drug smuggling, poaching and illegal commercial fishing.

4. Shenandoah National Park

   

   Home to the spectacular Skyline Drive filled with many spectacular vistas, Shenandoah National Park is also home to poachers and the eastern side of the park has bad radio communications.

5. Lake Mead National Recreation Area

   

   This large recreational area offers visitors the chance to boat, fish and swim in its huge lakes and to hike its vast desert area. Unfortunately the huge area is understaffed and can be far away from medical help when needed. I was here once and witnessed a helicopter picking up a seriously injured boater. I’m not sure how long that injured boater waited for the helicopter and but I know we were a decent ways away from civilization.

6. Grand Canyon National Park

   

   Home to some of the best scenery on planet Earth, the Grand Canyon also sees its share of trouble. In the summer months crime is a problem due to overcrowding. And many people become exhausted trying to hike the canyon. I’ve hiked up and down the Grand Canyon a few times and the fittest people hiking the canyon are the rangers. They get too much work each year rescuing injured and exhausted hikers from dangerous places.

7. San Juan National Historic Site

   

   The San Juan Historic Park contains the magnificent fortifications built in the area by Spain beginning in 1539. Unfortunately the site also is home to gang and drug problems.

8. Yosemite National Park

   

   Over 1,200 square miles large, Yosemite National Park stills gets overcrowded and has too few rangers on hand to deal with all the trouble. My brother-in-law got stuck on top of one of the peaks in Yosemite a few years back after he lost track of the time while rock climbing. Had to spend the night freezing up there and no ranger was going to go looking for him until my sister made a fuss about it. The ranger then went out into the dark and yelled using a bullhorn at the peak until my brother-in-law answered he was all right. He huddled up with another climber for warmth and they climbed down at first light. 

9. Biscayne National Park

   

   Located within sight of downtown Miami, Biscayne National Park attracts illegal commercial fisherman and drug smugglers. Combine that with with congested boat channels and you can get trouble. Historically the area has also been home to pirates.

10. Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit

    

    Located at the northern tip of the New Jersey shore and containing seven beaches open to the public, Sandy Hook allows the consumption of alcohol and nude sunbathing. Add to that over 2 million yearly visitors, and most of those in the hot summer sun, and stuff is going to happen.