Month: February 2025

The Grand Canyon is a breathtaking natural wonder that attracts millions of visitors each year. With its awe-inspiring views and challenging terrain, it’s no wonder that the Grand Canyon is one of the most popular visitor destinations in the world. However, with its wonder comes a tragic reality—the Grand Canyon is also one of the most deadly national parks in the United States. 

The Grand Canyon is a massive natural wonder that spans over 270 miles and is up to 18 miles wide in some areas. It’s a place of stunning beauty with its towering red rock formations, deep canyons, and crystal-clear streams. However, with its size and rugged terrain it’s no surprise that the park has its fair share of dangers. Every year, people die in the park due to a variety of reasons including falls, dehydration, and other accidents.

Body of 20-year-old man, vehicle recovered from below Grand Canyon rim

On Monday, February 10, 2025, multiple reports were given to park rangers that there was a broken wall and car parts scattered on the road just east of the Yavapai Geology Museum.

An aircrew was sent immediately into action. Upon investigation, a vehicle was located nearly 1,000 below the South Rim.

After the location of the vehicle was identified, first responders were able to recover the man inside. The man was later identified as a 20-year-old from California. His identity has yet to be released.

The circumstances of the man’s death are still unknown. Investigators are combing through the scene to try to piece together what led to the deadly accident.

The National Park Service (NPS) released a statement extending its thanks to all who participated in the recovery efforts. The NPS reiterated that an investigation was still ongoing.

“We would like to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to all the personnel who played a crucial role in this recovery. The investigation is ongoing and is being coordinated with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.” – National Park Service

Repairs of the damaged wall at the South Rim are underway. Those who plan on visiting the South Rim will still have access. However, there will be a bypass around the site until February 26, 2025.

Road closures were not a factor at the time of the crash at the South Rim

With it being the heart of winter, it is not surprising that the North Rim is closed for the season. This has to do with conditions being considered unsafe for visitors.

Despite it being Arizona, the North Rim can receive over 245 inches of snow per year where there are average depths of 40 inches located at the northern portion of the park. This, in conjunction with a lack of infrastructure that makes it difficult to man park ranger stations, the decision was made to instead close the North Rim until spring.

The same cannot be said for the South Rim. This side of the park remains open year-round with trail closures from time to time for weather conditions making it unsafe to hike.

At the time of the crash, temperatures during the day were mild, there was not any inclement weather, and there were no road closures. Therefore, it is unlikely that weather played a factor in the crash.

Car accidents are on the rise in the Grand Canyon

In general, fatalities have been on the rise at the Grand Canyon. To put this in perspective, there is an average of 12 deaths at the Grand Canyon annually. In 2024, this number jumped to 16. But, even with the increase in fatalities, the odds of dying while visiting the Grand Canyon are one for every 1.8 million visitors.

Of the causes of death, car accidents have continued to rise yearly, according to Hastings & Hastings. The reasons for the crashes vary but what is interesting is that the most recent crashes in 2014, 2022, and 2023, all occurred at the South Rim.

Unfortunately, also tied to car crashes are those who choose to take their own lives.

In the case of the Californian man who was located 1,000 feet below the South Rim there have been no indications of what led to the crash. The investigation is ongoing and it could be weeks to months before a reason is released.

How many people have died at the Grand Canyon?

Around 900 people have died at the Grand Canyon since the 1800s. The Grand Canyon was officially established as a National Park on February 26, 1919.

How many Grand Canyon deaths happen per year?

An average of 12 deaths happen at the Grand Canyon each year. 

The deadliest time at the Grand Canyon was during the 1980s. In the 2000s, however, deaths from environmental factors like the heat have increased.

How do people die at the Grand Canyon?

The book, Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon contains all of the Grand Canyon fatality data through 2017. Based on that information, here are the causes of death starting with the most common.

Airplane and helicopter deaths at the Grand Canyon: 379

Even if you disregard the major airplane crash from 1956 that killed 128 people, dying in the air over the Grand Canyon is still the most common cause of death.

Falling deaths at the Grand Canyon: 198

This is probably the most commonly asked question: How many people have died while taking a selfie at the Grand Canyon? While that exact answer is hard to know, there were two confirmed selfie deaths in 2019.

Here is a breakdown of where people have fallen from:

• 60 people have fallen off the ledge
• 63 people have fallen from inside the canyon
• 75 people in this category purposefully jumped or fell to commit suicide

If we ignore the suicides, only 123 people have accidentally fallen to their deaths at the Grand Canyon making it almost a tie with environmental deaths.

Environmental deaths at the Grand Canyon: 124

Environmental factors are a common cause of fatalities at the Grand Canyon.

Dehydration and overhydration

Temperatures in the Grand Canyon can reach extreme highs especially in the summer. Many hikers are not prepared for just how hot it can get—up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the bottom of the canyon. Most environmental deaths happen from dehydration which can lead to cardiac arrest. Around 100 people have died this way.

Additionally, some people have died from drinking too much water. People get worried about staying hydrated and consume lots of water without eating enough food making sodium in the blood drop to dangerously low levels.

Starvation

Others have died from starvation after getting lost in the canyon. These numbers are hard to pin down especially because there are still bodies in the canyon that have yet to be discovered. Evidence of these types of deaths has been confirmed by skeletons found and by notes left behind such as, “4 days without food or water. Lost.”

Freezing

Another environmental cause of death is freezing. At high elevations there can be snow in the winter and many hikers are not prepared for a snowstorm.

Flash floods

Flash floods are another environmental event that has been known to cause fatalities. Because the Grand Canyon is in the desert, there is not much vegetation to soak up water. This means that when it does rain, water flows quickly across the soil causing flash floods in the side canyons.

Lightning

In 1997, two people drowned in a flash flood and one hour later another two visitors were struck by lightning. They survived but lightning does strike an average of 25,000 times per year at the Grand Canyon.

Drowning deaths at the Grand Canyon: ~100

There are many water activities enjoyed in the Colorado River including boating, river rafting, swimming, and waterfall excursions. However, many people underestimate just how rapid the river is. Some people died trying to cross the river back before bridges were built for that purpose. Others have taken a soak to cool off in the summer heat only to be swept away.

The most famous drowning was in 1928. Newlyweds Bessie and Glen Hyde were rafting down the river attempting to establish the fastest time through the canyon. Bessie also would have become the first woman to raft through the canyon. However, they never made it and their bodies were never found. Rumors have spread that Bessie actually survived and had purposely staged the incident to kill her husband but to this day it remains an unsolved mystery.

Murder at the Grand Canyon: 39

The Grand Canyon is unfortunately a convenient place to murder someone and stage it as an accident. In 1993, serial killer Robert Spangler took his third wife to the Grand Canyon and pushed her off a 160 foot cliff. The death was ruled an accident at the time but Spangler later confessed.

Another example is newlyweds Michael and Charlotte Sherman who were found shot dead in 1977. Their bodies were found in a heavily wooded area of the Grand Canyon National Park and it appeared to be a robbery had gone wrong.

Other people have gone missing in the Grand Canyon and in some of these cases murder is strongly suspected. Human remains have been found in the canyon but they cannot always be identified and properly linked to a missing person.

Suicide at the Grand Canyon: 91

People have committed suicide at the Grand Canyon in a number of ways. As mentioned above, 75 people have jumped to their death. Another 13 people have taken their own lives by driving off the edge of the canyon. Three of these happened in 1993 not long after the movie Thelma & Louise premiered. This movie depicts the protagonists driving off the edge of a cliff at the end of the movie and as with anything there were copycats. Others have jumped off a bridge, jumped out of a helicopter, or used a gun.

Car accidents at the Grand Canyon

Although we don’t have as much data on them, serious car accidents happen at the Grand Canyon. Back in 2014 there was a fatal accident when two cars crashed on South Entrance Road around 3 miles from the park’s South Entrance Station. Then in 2022, a woman suffered fatal injuries when she crashed into a tree also near the South Entrance Station. And as recently as February 2023, two nurses visiting from the UK died in a car accident while on vacation at the Grand Canyon.

Similar reads

• Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon
• Gone Without a Trace: Mysterious Disappearances in National Parks
• The Deadliest National Parks in America & Tips on Staying Safe
• Selfies Don’t Kill People

Safety tips for the Grand Canyon

With spring break coming up and the Grand Canyon being a popular spot for families for their week vacation, this crash serves as a reminder to not only hike safely but drive safely when taking in the sights of the Grand Canyon. All it takes is just a moment of eyes off the road for tragedy to occur, turning a trip of a lifetime to one of the most incredible national parks in the country into a nightmare.

While the Grand Canyon can be a dangerous place there are steps visitors can take to stay safe. Here are some tips for staying safe in the park:

• Stay on designated trails: One of the easiest ways to stay safe in the Grand Canyon is to stay on designated trails. Venturing off-trail can be dangerous and can increase the risk of falling off unstable rocks or getting lost.
• Bring plenty of water: As mentioned earlier, dehydration is a serious risk in the Grand Canyon. Visitors should bring plenty of water and drink regularly to stay hydrated. Be sure to eat some salty snacks with your water throughout the day; hikers perspire a lot which means they need electrolytes to replenish their sodium levels.
• Dress appropriately: Visitors to the Grand Canyon should dress appropriately for the weather and terrain. This may include wearing sturdy hiking shoes, a hat or visor, and sunscreen.
• Check the weather forecast: Before venturing out into the park, visitors should always check the weather forecast. Flash floods, extreme heat, and other weather conditions can make hiking dangerous or even deadly.
• Don’t overexert yourself: Hiking in the Grand Canyon can be physically demanding and visitors should avoid overexerting themselves. Taking regular breaks and listening to your body is crucial to staying safe in the park. If you feel dizzy or disoriented, it’s important to stop, drink water, and find a shady place to rest.
• Bring a map and compass: Visitors should always bring a map and compass with them when hiking in the Grand Canyon. GPS devices can be helpful but they are not always reliable in the canyon’s rugged terrain.
• Travel in groups: Traveling in groups can help reduce the risk of accidents in the Grand Canyon. Hiking with a friend or joining a guided tour can be a great way to stay safe and learn more about the park.

Conclusion

The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that offers visitors a chance to explore some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the world. However, with its beauty comes danger: the Grand Canyon is also one of the most deadly national parks in the United States. By taking the necessary precautions, visitors can stay safe and enjoy all that the park has to offer.

Worth Pondering…

Take care of yourself. You’ll find it hard to get a replacement.