The State Parks With The Most Search And Rescue Calls

A beautiful trail can become a dangerous path surprisingly fast. Some state parks, within the United States, see more search-and-rescue calls than others, but not always because they are unsafe. Steep cliffs, confusing trails, extreme heat, and simple mistakes can quickly turn an enjoyable outing into an emergency. From California's Santa Monica mountains to Utah's desert formations, these parks show how quickly nature can change the stakes. Sometimes, the greatest risk comes from believing the terrain will be simpler than it appears.

Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

Goblin Valley State Park looks like it's on another planet, with thousands of mushroom-shaped sandstone formations, called goblins, spread across a remote stretch of Utah desert. This unusual landscape is also part of what creates a challenge for park visitors, leaving rangers to routinely issue safety warnings. The goblins can look almost identical from one direction to the next, making it easy for hikers to lose their bearings and wander away from established paths. Because the park is about 35 minutes from the nearest small town, its remote setting adds another layer of difficulty for hikers who are stranded or injured.

Roughly 5 miles away is a trailhead called Little Wildhorse Canyon, popular for its narrow and dramatic slot sections and an excellent spot for canyoneering. Even when this canyon looks completely dry, flash floods with heavy rain farther upstream can send water rushing through the narrow passage with little to no warning. The combination of confusing terrain, isolation, heat, and sudden weather changes can quickly turn a casual hike into a search-and-rescue operation.

Topanga State Park, California

Topanga State Park may look like a peaceful escape from busy Los Angeles, but its steep canyons and rugged Santa Monica Mountain terrain can quickly turn a short hike into a daring rescue. Hikers who wander off marked paths and encounter loose slopes, narrow trails and exposed ridges, can become lost, injured, or stranded in places that are difficult for others to reach. Heat is another major factor, especially during the summer, when dehydration and exhaustion can leave trekkers unable to reach the trailhead.

Cell service can also be unreliable in the deeper ravines, making it tough to call for help or provide an accurate location. Rescues may require helicopters using specialized air-hoists, ropes, and the Malibu Search and Rescue Team working together to reach stranded explorers. The park's popularity contributes to the issue, leading to large crowds in difficult terrain and raising the likelihood that a regular trek could turn into an emergency.

Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona

Sitting at the foot of Arizona's rugged Superstition Mountains is Lost Dutchman State Park, with scenery that's as unforgiving as it is beautiful. The park draws plenty of hikers for the landmark trails such as the Flatiron and Siphon Draw. These routes gradually become steep, rocky, and difficult to navigate as you progress. A hike that looks manageable from the trailhead entrance can suddenly turn into a demanding terrain over loose rock.

Heat is another major factor, because temperatures feel comfortable at the start, but the exposed desert can cause dehydration and exhaustion surprisingly quick. The Phoenix area is close to the park, which means it attracts many casual hikers who might underestimate the conditions or arrive without enough water. Once someone becomes injured, overheated, or lost, the rugged landscape makes reaching them difficult, turning an ordinary hike into a serious rescue.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is Michigan's largest state park, covering nearly 60,000 acres of dense forest, rugged hills, rivers, and miles of backcountry trails. Its remote beauty is also what makes rescues so challenging, with hikers underestimating how far they have to travel on unfamiliar, steep and rugged trails. Once someone wanders off route, finding them can be difficult, particularly with unreliable cell service throughout much of the park.

Weather presents an another hazard, as conditions can change rapidly and temperatures can drop significantly. Many rescue calls stem from individuals who become lost, injured, or separated from their group, especially in the Carp River area. The vast size of the park also means that specialized park rangers and local dispatch teams may be far away when an emergency occurs.

Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Smith Rock State Park is famous for its towering cliffs, winding Crooked River, and world-class climbing. The dramatic landscape presents numerous challenges, with steep, demanding trails like Misery Ridge that often involve loose rocks and sharp elevation changes that are harder than they seem. During summer, the exposed high-desert terrain creates more difficulties, as heat and dehydration can quickly turn an average hike into a medical emergency. Climbers often become stranded on cliffs, lose equipment, or misjudge how long a route will take.

Some rescues have involved hikers who are stuck hundreds of feet above the ground, requiring specialized teams like the Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and Rescue to reach them. Because the area is popular, large numbers of visitors are crowded into a relatively rugged area, leading to critical rescues from even a small mistake.

Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado

Eldorado Canyon State Park is one of Colorado's most demanding climbing areas, featuring deceptively tranquil views and soaring sandstone walls. Located near Boulder and Denver, the park attracts large numbers of hikers and climbers, including those attempting difficult multi-pitch routes high above the canyon floor. A simple mistake with a rope or route choice can leave someone injured or stranded hundreds of feet up a cliff. Loose rock and sudden weather changes can make things less predictable, while climbers who underestimate a route may find themselves descending after dark.

When something goes wrong, it's primarily handled by the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, an all-volunteer nonprofit technical mountain team based in Boulder. The rescuers often need specialized climbing equipment, ropes, and drones to reach people on the cliffs.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

Search-and-rescue calls are rarely the result of a single factor. This doesn't mean all these mentioned areas are too dangerous to explore, but rather, they require more preparation and respect. Understanding the terrain, checking the weather, carrying enough water, and sticking to established routes can significantly reduce the risk of a hike turning into a situation that necessitates a rescue.