Exploring the Dark Side: America’s Most Hazardous Tourist Attractions

Do you know what are America’s most hazardous tourist attractions?

If you’re thinking about traveling around the United States, you should pay attention to these dangerous tourist attractions. While they look incredible both in real life and in pictures on social media, you shouldn’t put yourself in danger for the gram.

We’ve talked to travel experts about some of the most beautiful yet scary tourist attractions, and we’re going to share everything with you. Some of these places are natural wonders; others are impressive works of art; and some of them are purely spooky. Some people didn’t follow this advice, and they’ve never come back.

So take care of yourself, enjoy your time away, and take pictures, but don’t risk your life for something impressive to show your social media friends. Let’s not keep this intro any longer because we have to talk about America’s most hazardous tourist attractions.

1. New Smyrna Beach

If you decide to visit the fabulous New Smyrna Beach, watch out for shark attacks. I don’t know about you, but ever since I watched “Jaws,”  it’s been kind of scary for me to dip beneath the waves without thinking about what lives underneath.

While I know that it was only a movie, I can’t argue with the fact that shark attacks are real and they’re not easy to deal with. According to experts, New Smyrna Beach is one of America’s most dangerous beaches due to shark attacks.

In 2007, for instance, this beautiful tourist attraction had more shark attacks than any other place in the world, and it even beat out notoriously dangerous places like the Caribbean and South Africa. In 2008, there were no less than 238 reported attacks, so if you want to dip in the clear waters, make sure you follow the lifeguard’s instructions and always be safe.

2. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is undeniably a breathtaking natural wonder, spanning about 277 miles from end to end and reaching up to 18 miles in width at its widest points. While awe-inspiring, staying mindful and cautious when exploring its vast beauty.

Millions of visitors travel to Arizona to see the impressive Grand Canyon and hike the rocky cliffs. While it’s safe for the most part, some people experience weird sensations due to high temperatures, heights, or bad hiking techniques. Over 600 visitors died in the last century, and experts say that some of the most common causes of death in the canyon include natural events (rock slides and lightning), falls, drowning in the Colorado River, and environmental factors (dehydration, heat stroke, and hypothermia).

However, experts say that with proper equipment, instructors, and patience, you can hike the trails and be perfectly safe. They advise people to always stay on the trail and not get too close to the edge. Other than that, make sure you have water and snacks with you, and avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day.

3. Yellowstone National Park

Another one of these gorgeous natural wonders in America is the colorful Yellowstone National Park. Stretching across five separate counties, from Wyoming and Montana to Idaho, this gorgeous tourist attraction occupies an amazing 2,219,791 acres of land.

One of the things visitors should be cautious about is the park’s geysers, which have taken no less than 20 lives since 2000. They can quickly shoot out water that’s boiling at approximately 250 degrees, which is roughly 150 degrees higher than the temperature the majority of people set their showers.

To avoid a tragedy from happening, tourists are always required to not get closer to the geysers, always walk on boardwalks and designated trails, stay away from swimming in the hot springs, refrain from touching the water and the thermal features or runoff, and keep pets out of the thermal areas.

But that’s not all. Experts say that tourists should also pay attention to grizzly bears if they want to have a lovely time at Yellowstone National Park. While they might not attack since there are plenty of visitors each day, experts recommend people not leave food behind, keep tents and sleeping bags free of odors, keep the camp clean, have bear spray with them, and always follow the staff’s instructions.

4. Death Valley

The last dangerous American tourist attraction we’ll talk about in today’s article is Death Valley. While this is a stunning place, it’s considered to be one of the hottest places in the world, and you need to drink at least a gallon of water daily to keep your hydration levels in check.

Experts say that many people feel terrified when they hike or walk in Death Valley due to dehydration, sunburns, and even animal attacks in some cases. This beautiful place is home to many dangerous animals, including scorpions, rattlesnakes, and black widow spiders. While they prefer to be left alone, they can feel threatened and bite or attack if you corner them in small spaces.

To make sure you have a pleasant time, make sure you have a hat, comfortable clothing, and shoes, wear a ton of SPF, wear polarized sunglasses (such as these), drink lots of water, and have your maps downloaded because you might not have phone service. Make sure you don’t get lost, always be with the group, follow the staff instructions, and be safe!

Do you know of any other dangerous tourist attractions in America? Let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed reading this article and you’d like to check out something else from Devastating Disasters, here’s a good post for you: The Most Notorious States for Robbery: A Ranking