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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 Madiha Hussain. “The Southwest is known for its burnt orange landscapes, but Bryce’s hoodoos add another level of intrigue. It looks as if they were formed by supernatural forces.”

Why did Rocky Mountain National Park come in third place?

“If you want to see America’s quintessential wildlife, come to Rocky Mountain National Park,” says Audley USA specialist Karl Elliott. “Here, just 90 minutes’ drive from Denver, you can spot bighorn sheep resting upon alpine slopes, elk grazing in lush meadows, moose cooling off in glassy lakes, and golden eagles circling their prey high above the treetops.

“There are plenty of hiking trails in the park,” Karl explains. “We can arrange for you to go with a private guide or as part of a small group. Either way, your guide will point out wildlife as you stroll through open meadows, past freshwater lakes, and into dense forests, all against the backdrop of snow-capped mountain scenery.”