Alaska has earned its name “The Last Frontier.” We have the most unexplored wilderness, the tallest mountain peaks, and the most fantastic spread of wildlife that you’ll find in any state in America. To have these all combined in one spot; well, we’re not surprised that Denali National Park was named the most dangerous park in Alaska. In fact, it ranked the sixth most dangerous park in America, from data collected from the National Park Service by Outforia. This stunning, amazing, beautiful park has a darker side because much of the beauty here is from its untamed, unexplored wilderness. Here’s more on why Denali National Park is considered one of the most dangerous places in Alaska.

Denali National Park makes the top of many people’s bucket lists.

C. Fredrickson Photography via Moment Collection / Getty Images The park boasts the largest mountain in North America, its namesake Denali. It also covers 6 million acres of untouched wilderness, taking you back to a time before man made its mark on much of the United States.

The number one cause of death in this park? Environmental exposure.

epicurean via E+ Collection / Getty Images Accidents happen, and the weather can change rapidly. With those out exploring the backcountry of Denali, being unprepared for a change of weather could literally spell out death.

The second greatest cause of death is actually from falls.

1111IESPDJ via E+ Collection / Getty Images This isn’t too surprising, as we have a healthy community of mountaineers who love to summit our great peaks in the Alaska Range, especially Denali herself.

One death so far has been attributed to drowning inside the park.

mantaphoto via E+ Collection / Getty Images Two have been caused by motor vehicle crashes. It’s so important to take stock of where you are, and what’s around you when you drive into Denali National Park. Even though you can only access 13 miles in your private car, there’s still tons of wildlife on the road, as well as other drivers, and perilous conditions.

With the reputation Denali has of seeing incredible wildlife, you’d think there would be dozens of reports of animal attacks, possibly resulting in death.

Johnny Johnson via The Image Bank Collection / Getty Images But visitors will be relieved to find out that only one death has occurred from a wild animal in the park. More surprisingly, eight deaths have been attributed to transportation: that could be flight seeing, or even riding a bicycle in the park.

Denali National Park may rank in sixth place nationally, but this is calculated by counting how many deaths the park has seen in total.

Mark C Stevens via Moment Collection / Getty Images Denali National Park should actually be considered far more dangerous. The over 600,000 annual visitors to Denali are a mere fraction of the amount of visitors that the larger parks see. The percentage of visitors to Denali National Park who have been killed, out of the total annual visitors, would actually push this national park to the number one spot as most dangerous national park in the United States.

So the next time you head out into Denali National Park, make sure to do so with plenty of information and knowledge about where you’re headed.

Johnny Johnson / The Image Bank / Getty Images You’ll want to be well prepared and well advised of the weather, your route, and with a safety person back home who knows where you are. Make sure to practice common sense while exploring our gorgeous national park!

Did you know one of the most dangerous places in Alaska was Denali National Park? What did you think – do you agree or disagree? Did finding that out surprise you? Let us know in the comments below — we’d love to hear your thoughts!

C. Fredrickson Photography via Moment Collection / Getty Images

The park boasts the largest mountain in North America, its namesake Denali. It also covers 6 million acres of untouched wilderness, taking you back to a time before man made its mark on much of the United States.

epicurean via E+ Collection / Getty Images

Accidents happen, and the weather can change rapidly. With those out exploring the backcountry of Denali, being unprepared for a change of weather could literally spell out death.

1111IESPDJ via E+ Collection / Getty Images

This isn’t too surprising, as we have a healthy community of mountaineers who love to summit our great peaks in the Alaska Range, especially Denali herself.

mantaphoto via E+ Collection / Getty Images

Two have been caused by motor vehicle crashes. It’s so important to take stock of where you are, and what’s around you when you drive into Denali National Park. Even though you can only access 13 miles in your private car, there’s still tons of wildlife on the road, as well as other drivers, and perilous conditions.

Johnny Johnson via The Image Bank Collection / Getty Images

But visitors will be relieved to find out that only one death has occurred from a wild animal in the park. More surprisingly, eight deaths have been attributed to transportation: that could be flight seeing, or even riding a bicycle in the park.

Mark C Stevens via Moment Collection / Getty Images

Denali National Park should actually be considered far more dangerous. The over 600,000 annual visitors to Denali are a mere fraction of the amount of visitors that the larger parks see. The percentage of visitors to Denali National Park who have been killed, out of the total annual visitors, would actually push this national park to the number one spot as most dangerous national park in the United States.

Johnny Johnson / The Image Bank / Getty Images

You’ll want to be well prepared and well advised of the weather, your route, and with a safety person back home who knows where you are. Make sure to practice common sense while exploring our gorgeous national park!

If you want to learn more about this incredible national park, make sure to check out these 15 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Denali National Park.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Denali National Park and Preserve, Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

most dangerous places in Alaska December 16, 2021 Beth C. What are the most dangerous wild animals in Alaska? Alaska sure is beautiful, but with such untamed wilderness, caution is vital. Now that you’ve learned about one of the most dangerous places in Alaska – Denali National Park – it’s time to focus on the wild animals that you’ll find both within the park and other places throughout the great state. The list includes:

The iconic grizzly bear Polar bears Moose Walruses Wolves Black bears Wolverines

While it’s always a good idea to be cautious, it’s also important to remember that many of these animals simply want to keep to themselves, so be sure to give them plenty of space so they, too, can stay safe! Are there any poisonous snakes in Alaska? You may be surprised to hear that there are no poisonous snakes in Alaska! While it’s possible to find the occasional snake in Alaska, it won’t be poisonous. In fact, there’s even a list of reptiles you won’t find in Alaska:

Poisonous snakes Lizards Freshwater turtles

In fact, the only common reptile in Alaska is the sea turtle, and even those are pretty rare.

The OIYS Visitor Center

most dangerous places in Alaska

December 16, 2021

Beth C.

What are the most dangerous wild animals in Alaska? Alaska sure is beautiful, but with such untamed wilderness, caution is vital. Now that you’ve learned about one of the most dangerous places in Alaska – Denali National Park – it’s time to focus on the wild animals that you’ll find both within the park and other places throughout the great state. The list includes:

The iconic grizzly bear Polar bears Moose Walruses Wolves Black bears Wolverines

While it’s always a good idea to be cautious, it’s also important to remember that many of these animals simply want to keep to themselves, so be sure to give them plenty of space so they, too, can stay safe! Are there any poisonous snakes in Alaska? You may be surprised to hear that there are no poisonous snakes in Alaska! While it’s possible to find the occasional snake in Alaska, it won’t be poisonous. In fact, there’s even a list of reptiles you won’t find in Alaska:

Poisonous snakes Lizards Freshwater turtles

In fact, the only common reptile in Alaska is the sea turtle, and even those are pretty rare.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Alaska sure is beautiful, but with such untamed wilderness, caution is vital. Now that you’ve learned about one of the most dangerous places in Alaska – Denali National Park – it’s time to focus on the wild animals that you’ll find both within the park and other places throughout the great state. The list includes:

  • The iconic grizzly bear
  • Polar bears
  • Moose
  • Walruses
  • Wolves
  • Black bears
  • Wolverines

While it’s always a good idea to be cautious, it’s also important to remember that many of these animals simply want to keep to themselves, so be sure to give them plenty of space so they, too, can stay safe!

Are there any poisonous snakes in Alaska?

You may be surprised to hear that there are no poisonous snakes in Alaska! While it’s possible to find the occasional snake in Alaska, it won’t be poisonous. In fact, there’s even a list of reptiles you won’t find in Alaska:

  • Poisonous snakes
  • Lizards
  • Freshwater turtles

In fact, the only common reptile in Alaska is the sea turtle, and even those are pretty rare.