Why This Beautiful, Unsuspecting National Park Is Considered America's Most Dangerous
Located less than an hour from Las Vegas, Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, Nevada, is one of the most popular national parks in the country. In fact, it had nearly 6 million visitors in 2023, according to the National Park Service. It's easy to see why visitors flock to this destination on the Arizona-Nevada border. It's home to the eponymous lake, which offers an array of aquatic activities for visitors, including fishing, camping, boating, and swimming. That said, it is also considered the deadliest national park in the United States.
Per The Arizona Republic, data from the National Park Service's public risk management program states that between July 2013 and July 2023, there were 203 deaths at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Causes for these fatalities included car crashes and suicides. However, you might want to avoid swimming at this popular tourist destination as more than a quarter of these deaths resulted from drowning.
According to a study conducted by Connecticut Trial Firm (via St George News), 56 individuals drowned in the park between 2013 and 2023, undoubtedly making Lake Mead one of the most dangerous swimming spots in the National Park System. For reference, between the start of 2023 and August of that year alone, six people died from drowning.
What's causing the drownings at Lake Mead?
Lake Mead has a scenic shoreline that spans over 750 miles. Despite this, there are no lifeguards on duty. This is troubling as Lake Mead is known to have vicious winds that can alter water conditions and negatively impact swimmers. As John Haynes, a National Park Service public information officer, said to KTNV, "You think you're jumping out of your boat for a quick swim and you're going to swim back to your boat. But because of high winds, all of a sudden, your boat is drifting away and you're stuck in the middle of the lake."
The winds can also cause massive waves and lead pool toys away from the shore, contributing to drownings. In 2021, a six-year-old girl drowned as she swam from her pool toy, which had been blown further into the lake, back to the shore. The temperature of the water is another possible factor. In 2014, 53-year-old Jorge Luna went into distress while swimming in Lake Mead. His body was found weeks later. Luna's girlfriend witnessed the incident and told the Boulder City Review that she believed he went into shock, ultimately rendering him helpless. The publication noted a substantial difference in the temperatures in and outside the water that could have contributed to his death.
Lake Mead safety tips
If you plan to visit Lake Mead soon, you should know a few things before entering its enticing waters. Speaking to St George News, National Park Service public information officer John Haynes had some advice: "We really encourage people to wear a life jacket whether they think they need one or not. These were people of all ages. We even have life jacket loaner stations set up at the major swimming areas." In other words, wearing a life jacket could save your life. Note that under Nevada law, children 13 and under must wear a life jacket if they are boating on Lake Mead or other bodies of water in the state. Additionally, ensure you or the captain are traversing Lake Mead at the speed limit.
Swimmers should wear visible colors so other lakegoers can easily spot them. In the same vein, don't use pool toys in Lake Mead. As established, they can be dangerous. However, NPS has also banned them in the Lake Mead Recreational Area. If rangers spot visitors with pool toys, they could issue a citation leading to a fine. If you wear a life jacket and follow these rules, you are far more likely to have a safe and adventurous time at Lake Mead. Alternatively, head to one of these little-known national parks for your next family vacation.