Deaths in Yellowstone: It’s Not the Wildlife

Tourists behaving badly in Yellowstone National Park (a.k.a. "tourons") grab most of the headlines and social media attention with their risky behavior, usually while trying to get selfies with bison or other wildlife.

Occasionally, tourists in Yellowstone get gored by a bison or attacked by a bear and suffer severe injury or death. However, data reveals that wildlife encounters make up just a tiny fraction of fatalities in America's first National Park.

Montana law firm Beck, Amsden & Stalpes compiled death data in Yellowstone Park from 2007 - 2023. While somewhat morbid, the report is interesting.

Here are the Top 10 ways people die in YNP.

Medical conditions - 18 deaths from 2007 to 2023

Random medical issues such as a heart attack or stroke can happen anytime, anywhere, including the park. It's the #1 cause of death in Yellowstone.

Motor vehicle crashes - 17 deaths from 2007 to 2023

Thankfully, most of the fender-benders in Yellowstone are not fatal, probably since it's tough to reach speeds faster than 30 miles per hour because the park is SO crowded in the summer. Still, car accidents are the #2 cause of death in Yellowstone National Park.

Drownings - 9 deaths from 2007 to 2023

Visitors drown for various reasons in Yellowstone Park; some were fishing, others accidentally slipped into fast-moving water or drowned while swimming.

Undetermined - 9 deaths from 2007 to 2023

Despite the investigator's best efforts, a handful of cause-of-deaths in Yellowstone remain "undetermined."

Falls - 8 deaths from 2007 to 2023

Some tourists met their fate while crossing boundaries for that perfect selfie, while others have fallen to their demise in the backcountry of Yellowstone.

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Suicides - 5 deaths from 2007 to 2023

Self-inflicted deaths are tragic, no matter where they take place, including five that occurred in YNP.

Wildlife incidents - 3 deaths from 2007 to 2023

Despite the perception, tourists are rarely killed by animals in the park. When they are, it's usually from ignoring the rules about staying a minimum of 100 yards from bears, elk, bison, moose, etc.

Rounding out the top 10...

Hypothermia, firearm, poisoning/drugs, homicide, and falling tree/branch all caused one death each from 2007 - 2023 in Yellowstone National Park.