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Lake Mead - Nevada and Arizona

As the largest water reserve in the U.S., Lake Mead attracts a large number of outdoor adventurers to its striking blue waters. It offers some of the best fishing in the country, along with boating, canoeing, kayaking, biking, and even horseback riding. Given how it's marketed toward families, it can easily be mistaken for a safe outdoor area for all ages to enjoy. However, the lake has one of the highest mortality rates among national parks. Many visitors aren't prepared for its intensely cold and deep waters, leading to an unusually high number of drownings each year.

Shutterstock/Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH

If you choose to visit the scenic views and sparkling waters by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, be sure to keep your guard up at all times, particularly if there are little ones.