Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Those who visit Antelope Canyon in Arizona are there to capture once in a lifetime views of the stunning canyons in a wide array of colors that can be found nowhere else. What tourists aren’t usually aware of is the number of deaths that have occurred within the canyons. Hikers have been known to slip and fall and get hit by falling rocks, but that’s not what makes this popular attraction so dangerous.
Antelope Canyon has been known to experience flash flooding on occasion, even killing 11 hikers in one day. Since nature is so unpredictable, there’s no telling when flooding can occur, creating a dangerous situation for tourists. For this reason, there are several times of the year when flash flooding is more common and the canyon should be avoided.
Sedan Crater, Nevada
There are numerous atomic bomb testing sites around Nevada that attract tourists, one being the Sedan Crater. Located roughly 12 miles southwest of Area 51, the crater was created on July 6, 1962, by an underground thermonuclear explosion. The resulting pit is roughly 1,280 feet wide and 320 feet deep, and is the largest human-made crater in the United States. The mushroom cloud this blast created obscured a radius of five miles and had the highest measured radioactive effects of all nuclear tests performed in the United States.
These days, roughly 10,000 people are taken on tours to the Sedan Crater each year, which is a lot considering tours are only available once or twice a month. The area is so popular among tourists that there’s even a one-year waiting list. While the radioactivity levels surrounding the crater have been deemed safe for visitors, there’s still some debate as to whether or not that’s true. It has been found that radioactive remnants from decades of nuclear bomb tests may remain in underground detonation sites, which would pertain to Sedan Crater. Visitors are welcome, but perhaps at their own risk!
Maroon Bells, Colorado
Maroon Bells consists of two peaks along the Elk Mountains in Colorado. While they may seem ordinary enough, they’re actually made of a fragile substance referred to as mudstone. Tourists who are unaware of this are often taken by surprise when the ground easily crumbles beneath them. As you can imagine, this can be extremely dangerous when hiking on a surface you expect to support your weight.
In addition to crumbling beneath hikers' feet, the mudstone has also led to many injuries after it falls, hitting people on its way down. It wasn’t until 1965 when accidents in the area began to be reported that people were made aware of the dangers of Maroon Bells. That year alone, eight hikers died after losing their footing on the mudstone.
Spitting Caves, Hawaii
Popular among both tourists and locals, the Spitting Caves can be found in Honolulu, Hawaii. It’s located just below a high cliff where waves are known to crash, shooting into the cave and creating something that looks like a reverse blowhole. The relatively public trail is relatively short, but hidden in a wealthy residential area. In addition to the phenomenal views, people love to go there and check out where some scenes from the popular show “Lost” were filmed.
Cliff diving is popular at the Spitting Caves, leading to many injuries and some deaths. The strong waves have been known to rough people up, throwing them into the nearby cliffs. It’s not only those who are jumping in the waters willingly who are at risk. The slippery rocks have been known to send a few people into the waters as well, and not all of them have made it out.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was a government-run psychiatric hospital that operated from 1864 until 1994. It was ultimately shut down after conditions were deemed unlivable and their treatment methods were found to be outdated. Visitors can spot electroshock and lobotomy instruments in the hospital rooms, which is likely what led to them opening a cemetery on the grounds.
The building’s unique architecture led to the reopening of the facility as a tourist attraction. Over the years, guests and workers have reported hearing voices, strange sounds, and even seeing apparitions. Ghost hunters and fans of the paranormal come from all over the world just to explore the rooms of the hospital, and it has yet to disappoint!