I came across this article about visiting national parks during the summer:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/solo-travel-national-park

“How to travel solo at national parks
Going at their own pace allows solo hikers to reduce distractions and fully immerse in nature.”

While nature displays amazing scenery at such sites, I don’t believe the idea that the best way to enjoy these sites is by going alone. The reason is, over the years, I’ve listened to interviews with David Paulides, author of the Missing 411 book series. The interviews were aired on my favorite radio program–Coast to Coast Am (overnight). I’ve also read several of his books. As an investigative reporter, Mr. Paulides uncovers numerous cases of people going missing in national parks and forests under highly unusual circumstances. You can read more about his work here:

https://www.canammissing.com/page/page/8396197.htm

Among the strange aspects of these disappearances include:

• Many missing individuals including toddlers are found miles away and much higher up in elevation from where they were last seen

• They are often found in areas that had been previously searched numerous times…

• Trained tracking dogs either can’t pick up a scent or they refuse to track

• The weather often turns bad around the times of the disappearances

• Among other characteristics that defy logic

Here is my review of one of his books on Amazon:

Joseph

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent compilation of information!
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2012

“I believe this book–Missing 411–Eastern United States would be an important guide to parents who may not be aware of dangers that are present in locations around forests, woods, and mountains. This book (as well as the Western U.S. version) should prompt parents to keep a close watch on their kids and have the children with them at all times in these often very rural locations. David Paulides does a great job of presenting cases that span many decades and pointing out similarities in the incidents. I agree that even though countless numbers of people visit national parks every year without anything happening to them (just like most people who fly airplanes do not get into crashes), the few in comparison that do go missing or end up dead are still precious lives that are lost, and many families are affected. I would recommend this book to anyone visiting these areas of the U.S. mentioned above.”

I suggest visiting national parks and forests with a companion or a group.