Monday, June 24, 2024 Audley Travel’s travel experts examined Google Reviews data to pinpoint the highest-rated national parks across the USA. Leading the rankings is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, spanning North Carolina and Tennessee, praised for its natural beauty. Following closely are Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
Audley’s specialists on the USA elaborate on the allure of these parks and offer insights into exploring them during travelers’ next visits to the States. What makes Great Smoky Mountains National Park the top choice among visitors? Wreathed in a blanket of fog each morning, the Great Smoky Mountains form part of the storied Appalachian Mountains range. “There’s something beautifully eerie about them,” says Audley USA specialist Shannon Cooney.
“The Smokies have some of the best hikes and viewing points in the region, particularly in autumn time, when the forest canopy fans out in an array of reds, oranges, and greens.” The park is vast, so Shannon suggests exploring with a guide: “You could head out on an open-top 4×4 tour, which will take you to some of the park’s best waterfalls and vantage points.” Why did Bryce Canyon National Park finish in the second position? A complete contrast to the Smokies, Bryce Canyon National Park is covered in towering red-rock columns, called ‘hoodoos’, with smatterings of green foliage.
“It’s otherworldly,” says Audley USA specialist Madi.
