The heavy promotion of extreme sports in hotels and online leads many tourists to believe these experiences are entirely safe. White water rafting is just one example where people can find themselves in over their heads. The Gauley River in West Virginia has several legendary rapids that attract thrill-seekers from all over, but the Pillow Rock rapid tops them all.
The Class V rapid boasts a 30-foot drop down a narrow chute into the rough waters below, often referred to as “riding the pillow.” Even the most experienced guides have difficulty making it down the Pillow Rock rapid without an issue. While there haven’t been many deaths at the hand of the Gauley River, there have been enough to call the tourist attraction dangerous. The most common cause of death tends to be getting an arm or leg stuck between rocks after falling into the water.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Taking a trip to the hot springs at the Grand Prismatic Spring in Wyoming is entirely safe if warning signs and advice given by Park Rangers are obliged. Unfortunately, not everyone listens which has led to many injuries and over 20 deaths. Social media has only made it worse as the desire to get the perfect picture often causes tourists to neglect common sense.
All of those who have died at the Grand Prismatic Spring, unfortunately, fell into the boiling waters. Injuries occur more often than not when a visitor lets curiosity get the best of them. It’s not uncommon for tourists to test out the water temperatures by sticking their hand in, despite the warning signs not to do so. This results in severe burns that will put a quick end to anyone’s vacation.
Appalachian Trail, Tennessee
The average person takes between five and seven months to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. Certainly, some experience would be required to even attempt such a feat. However, even a day trip to these trails can turn out to be deadly. Experts say that getting lost on the Appalachian Trail would be the least of your problems if you chose to take on this dangerous natural trek.
What makes the area so dangerous are the viruses, parasites, and pathogens that are commonly contracted by visitors. If they get under your skin and into your bloodstream, the damage can be permanent and even deadly.
The Big Island, Hawaii
Most people know that Hawaii is made up of a group of eight islands, but few know that the islands are all made up of volcanic rock. This means that visitors and residents can expect occasional volcanic activity. Recently, the Big Island has been experiencing more volcanic activity than usual, scaring off many tourists.
Even though experts have said that volcanic eruptions only affect a small portion of the island, the number of tourists visiting the Big Island has dropped by half. Why take the risk when there are seven other islands that offer similar accommodations and experiences?
Orlando, Florida
As the home of the most popular mouse in the world, Orlando probably attracts more tourists than any other city in the United States. In 2018 alone, it had more than 68 million domestic visitors and almost 6.5 million international visitors. As we all know, Orlando is where Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld are all located, so these numbers are expected. Unfortunately, because the area draws in so many tourists, there’s a higher chance that fatal accidents will occur.
What makes Orlando so dangerous? Simply walking around the streets. Statistics have found that Orlando is the most vulnerable area for pedestrians, with 656 fatalities between 2008 and 2017. It seems that drivers in Florida may need to go back and take some more driver’s ed classes. Of the top 10 deadliest areas for pedestrians in America, eight of them are in Florida.