What is the Main Cause of Death in Glacier National Park?

CampBrood
22 hours ago
8 min read

About 3 million people visit Glacier National Park every year. But, not everyone makes it home safe. Come on an adventure with us on some of our favorite Glacier National Park hikes to discover 9 of the most common ways people die in Glacier National Park. To watch the video version of this blog click here or continue reading below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKlBxy1EQKE

Is Highline Trail in Glacier National Park Dangerous?

Glacier National Park is part of some of the most wild country in the United States and Highline Trail is one of the most iconic hikes in Glacier National Park. But, it’s also one of the most dangerous. It starts right across from Logan Pass and quickly wraps along a narrow ledge carved into a cliff, with nothing but a cable and 3 feet of trail between you and a drop of hundreds of feet down to Going to the Sun Road. The trail is breathtaking, but people have died here and on other dangerous trails in Glacier National park. In 2013, a 64-year-old man lost his life after he slipped about a mile west of Logan Pass. The fall caused bodily trauma that he did not recover from even though there were attempts to revive him. What makes these falls so tragic is that they’re usually avoidable accidents. Weather can cause difficult terrain that is challenging to hike. But, the trail can be narrow and crowded, especially in peak season, and hikers often feel pressure to move aside or rush forward. But you are always safer staying planted and letting others pass when it's wide enough. If you’re uncomfortable with heights or hiking with kids, consider hiking on a better weather day or choose another trail in the park.

Coming up later we’ll talk about bears but the most popular way to die is via water. Let’s move onto Iceberg Lake Trail and people often ask

Can You Swim in Glacier National Park’s Lakes?

Swimming in Glacier National Park is a popular adventure for many but you need to know what you're getting into. These waters are glacier-fed and dangerously cold, even in July. Many people strip down to their swimsuit to get their social post at Grinnell Glacier or Iceberg Lake. But many people swim in Lake Mcdonald just to relax and enjoy a hot Summer day. In 2024 a 28 year-old man went swimming with friends on a Saturday evening. He was near the Sprague Creek Campground when he began to struggle about 30 yards from shore. He went underwater and never resurfaced. Even strong swimmers can lose the ability to move their limbs in glacial water this cold. And because many lakes have steep drop-offs where one step you may be able to feel the bottom and the next step could be trouble. If you plan to enjoy the water, keep it safe—wade near the shore, avoid jumping or diving, and never swim alone. Consider wearing a life jacket. But, better yet, take a boat tour or rent a kayak to enjoy the scenery without the risk.

Is Glacier National Park Safe for Seniors or People with Health Issues?

Glacier National Park can be an incredible destination for people of all ages, but the combination of high elevation, rugged terrain, and limited medical access can be dangerous for those with underlying health conditions. Heart Attacks are the number 2 cause of death in Glacier National Park. In 2014, a 67-year-old man suffered a heart attack and died while hiking near St Mary Falls. He was with his wife on a ranger led guided tour. CPR was initiated by the ranger and other hikers but he was declared dead at the scene. The next day a 75 year old male hiking Iceberg / Ptramigan trail also died of a heart attack. This kind of tragedy underscores the importance of knowing your limits and preparing accordingly. If you or someone in your group has a heart condition or limited mobility, stick to lower-elevation hikes like Trail of the Cedars or boardwalk paths near Apgar. But carrying your own AED weighing only 2-7 pounds with family or friends that know how to use it could also be a good strategy. At a minimum always carry plenty of water, rest often, and check with your doctor before attempting anything strenuous.

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Coming up later we’ll discuss Going to the Sun road but Let’s move to the Grinnell Glacier trail and ask.

Do I Need Warm Gear Even in the Summer?

It might be 85 degrees in the parking lot, but a few miles in—especially above the tree line—you could be dealing with wind, rain, or even snow. In 2023 A college student went hiking in tennis shoes and shorts. He told his family that the weather was beautiful before the hike. But about 4 miles in he encountered snow, got stuck and lost his shoes while freeing his legs from the snow pack. He tried everything he could to escape the conditions but was unable to return back to his vehicle and civilization. He decided to build a shelter and wait. Three days went by until Luckily search and rescue saved him using helicopters and thermal imaging. But many are not so fortunate. Still the man became hypothermic and frostbitten and incurred a long recovery in the hospital. Hypothermia isn’t just a winter danger. Wet clothes and wind can chill your core temperature fast, especially when your body is tired from hiking. Always dress for setbacks and pack layers, no matter the season. A waterproof jacket, insulating fleece, gloves, and even a beanie can make the difference between an uncomfortable hike and a life-threatening emergency. But, you may also pack a lighter or matches, flashlight, rescue rope, and a first aid kit.

Here are gear recommendations of items we took day hiking in Glacier National Park:

Best Day Hiking Map for Glacier: https://geni.us/A6msY

Best Guide Book For Glacier: https://geni.us/BwATRw

Teton Sports Hydration Pack Video Review: https://youtu.be/KEBrYwp8RQk

2022 model https://geni.us/8CvKFjt

Camelbak Mini M.U.L.E hydration backpack Video Review for younger hikers: https://youtu.be/WbRgZr6C20g

Amazon Link: https://geni.us/6pYjqVF

Merrell Moab II Men's Hiking Shoes: https://geni.us/FTfvZ

The First Aid Kit we carry: https://geni.us/DlnxOr

Trekking Poles: https://geni.us/67DzA

Tactical Flashlights: https://geni.us/UUjzPJx

Compass: https://geni.us/bFis

Swiss Army Tinker 14 function: https://geni.us/Y7axAhJ

Rescue Rope: https://geni.us/s2fEB

Later we’ll talk about death from above but Let’s get in the car and ask our next question.

Has Anyone ever driven off Going-to-the-Sun Road?

Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the most scenic drives in the world but it’s also narrow, winding, and lined with cliffs that drop thousands of feet with nothing but rock kneewall guardrails in many sections. It requires constant attention as you can see here, but unfortunately, that’s not always what it gets. Or people are too scared to drive Going to the Sun road safely. In 2019, a car plummeted off the Going to the Sun Road to avoid a vehicle stopped around a blind corner to watch a bear. Search and rescue had to rappel down 40ft to free the driver and passengers. But last year a man died when he was involved in a roll over crash. The man was ejected from the vehicle and died due to head injury. Helicopters were unable to fly due to weather and the man was pronounced dead at the hospital. It’s a reminder that beauty can also be dangerous if you're not careful. But, If you’re not comfortable driving steep, narrow, busy roads, consider using the park’s shuttle system or booking a Red Bus Tour. And no matter what, don't stop in the middle of the road for photos but use the pull offs instead.

Are There Avalanches in Glacier National Park?

While avalanches are mostly a Winter and Spring risk, rockfall is a real danger during the Summer. Glacier’s rugged terrain is constantly shifting, especially in high-elevation areas where freeze-thaw cycles loosen rocks. So, why are we still driving Going to the Sun road? Well In 2019 a family driving their car on Going to the Sun road were struck by a rock slide. The rocks were between 4-12 inches in size. The daughter was struck and killed by the rocks. Her parents and two other children sustained minor injuries. When you drive in Glacier you’ll see rocks next to the road. But Summer hikers also face risks. Rockfall is common along the Highline Trail and the path to Ptarmigan Tunnel. In some areas, you’ll see warning signs telling you to move quickly and avoid stopping under cliffs. The lesson? Never assume the trail is 100% safe just because it's open. Avoid hiking snowfields unless you’re experienced, and don’t linger in rockfall zones.

Every good national park post needs a dad joke. If you are ever in the hospital this is a good one to share:

Why don’t dogs operate MRI machines? Because catscan.

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Ok back to the list and

Let’s move on to Hidden Lake Overlook Trail and answer

How Many Fatal Bear Attacks Have There Been in Glacier National Park?

Wildlife encounters are a big worry of visitors to the national parks. But in reality the risk of death by animals are rare. About 10 people have died in Glacier National Park from bear. But bear are actually seen traveling across Hidden Lake Overlook Trail often. So, they do happen, and they’re almost always preventable. In 2024, a hiker on the Highline Trail was bitten on the leg and sustained non life threatening injuries. Her group used bear spray and called in first responders. They were able to hike out and she was flown to a hospital. But it’s not just bears—moose, elk, big horn sheep and mountain goats can be just as dangerous if provoked or surprised. We saw bear in the Many Glacier area of the park and heard from others that a bear was chased by a big horn sheep right across the Hidden Lake Overlook trail. But, The rule of thumb is to stay at least 100 yards away from bears, and 25 yards from all other wildlife. Carry bear spray where it's accessible, not buried in your pack. And never try to get closer for a better photo because wildlife isn’t part of a petting zoo. Buy a zoom lens instead.

Moving on to St Mary and Virginia Falls

Can you Get Lost in Glacier National Park?

Glacier has over 700 miles of trails, many of which lead deep into the wilderness. And once you leave the road, it’s easy to lose your sense of direction with many intersections like on this trail and especially if the weather turns. In 2024 a 32 year old man died after he decided to leave his party and hike alone. When he didn’t return to his group at the rendezvous point his friends called search and rescue. The man was later found dead . Even well-marked trails can be confusing at junctions or after dark. If you’re hiking in Glacier, carry a paper map and a digital GPS and compass with offline maps on your phone. Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. And if something feels off—turn around. There’s no shame in choosing safety.

Let’s move on to Avalanche Lake trail to discover

What is the Number One Cause of Death in Glacier National Park?

Many would consider bears, falls, car accidents or other ways to cause the most deaths. But the number one way to die in Glacier National Park is drowning. But, drowning in the lakes isn’t the real risk. People usually die in Glacier National Park by getting too close to rivers and creeks. Every year people die in Avalanche creek hiking the trail or hiking near St Mary and Virginia Falls. Surprisingly these are two of the easiest and amazing hikes in the park. This year three people fell into Avalanche Creek while taking photos. One person fell in and when the two others tried to rescue the first they fell in too. When search and rescue arrived they discovered two were swept away but saved by other park visitors. But the 3rd needed to be rescued as he was above the water clinging to a tree inside the gorge.