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National Parks

National Parks Travel: Taking One Last Trip

June 26, 2008 at 1:00 PM | 0 Comments

National Park travel is one of our favorite topics around here, but unfortunately the most recent news isn't about a new park, secret location or exciting tour. It's about those looking to return to nature in the parks by taking their own lives.

This year alone, 18 people have wandered into parks across America with no intention of going home. The Everglades, Cape Cod and Olympic National Parks have all been home to recent suicides.

Although it's a little morbid to say, there's really no place better to once again join the earth. Al Nash, a spokesman for Yellowstone, agrees:

There are some individuals who feel it's important to have that kind of connection in those final moments.

Some suicides are more violent than others, but some people simply wander off into the wilderness. Many park rangers have been trained in suicide prevention and are even instructed to look for notes taped to steering wheels as clues. The most popular place for suicides? Grand Canyon National Park, where 10 people have killed themselves since 2004.

Related Stories:
· Parks Draw Some Who Want to End Their Lives [AP, via N&O]
· National Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of Sequoia National Park: Mel B.]