The Worst Places to Camp and Hike in the U.S.

Hiker at Sunrise at Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana
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Outdoor enthusiasts are always on the lookout for new spots to hike, bike, camp, and swim while soaking in the beauty of nature. The U.S. is home to countless parks, trails, and reserves that offer stunning landscapes and wildlife encounters.

But not every scenic location is beginner-friendly, or even safe. Some of the country’s most iconic parks come with serious risks. Here are some of the worst places to hike and camp without thorough planning and real preparedness.

Olympic National Park: A Brutal Landscape

Small waterfall pours into clear water in the forest of Olympic National Park.
Photo by John Thomas on Unsplash

Behind the beauty of Olympic National Park lies a very dangerous landscape. The park covers mountains, rainforests, and coastal areas, each with its own risks.

Being caught in the mountains during sudden weather changes can be dangerous, as can getting lost in the forest or being caught by an unpredictable tide pattern. Even erosion and sudden drops in elevation can be a concern if you wander off the marked trails, especially after dark.

Glacier National Park: Wild Animals & Cold Weather

Snow-capped mountains surround a expansive lake in Glacier National Park.
Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash

Montana’s Glacier National Park is as picturesque as green spaces can be, but all of the ice and snow can be of concern. Not only is getting caught out in extreme temperatures a risk, but there are also wild animals like bears and wolves that can be dangerous to people wandering about the woods.

There are fatalities from bear encounters at Glacier National Park every year.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: A Dangerous Drive

A thin dirt road winds through mountainous terrain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Photo by Josh Lehman on Unsplash

Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles Tennessee and North Carolina and is an outdoor adventurer’s dream. The Appalachian Trail runs right through the park, and there are so many great places to hunt, fish, hike, camp, and explore.

The trouble is that the roads around and through the park are very hilly, curvy, and dangerous. Car and motorcycle accidents happen far too often. Additionally, drowning can be a risk with any of the streams, rivers, and lakes in the area.

Denali National Park: The Great Outdoors

Snow-capped mountains reflect in a calm, clear lake surrounded by lush rolling hills in Denali National Park.
Photo by Barth Bailey on Unsplash

No one will argue the beauty of the pristine natural environment of Alaska. The mountains are majestic, and the landscape is extraordinary. However, the park is trail-less, which means getting lost is more likely to be a problem, and there is no safe path to guide you around obstacles.

The park is home to the highest peak in the US, which means that those seeking to reach the summit are taking serious risks to their health and lives while making the climb.

You will also need to keep an eye out for moose, wolves, and bears, which can all be dangerous to humans during an unexpected encounter.