Audley Travel has identified the best-loved national parks in
the USA, and Great Smoky Mountains
has come out on top.
LONDON, June 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel experts at Audley Travel
have analysed data from Google Reviews to find the public's
top-rated national parks across the USA. Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
which straddles the border between North
Carolina and Tennessee,
tops the ratings, followed by Bryce
Canyon National Park in Utah and Rocky
Mountain National Park in Colorado.
Audley's USA specialists explain why these parks are so
popular and how travellers can explore them on their next trip to
the States.
Why is Great Smoky Mountains National Park the
most popular?
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 4x4 tour, which will take you to
some of the park's best waterfalls and vantage points."
Why did Bryce Canyon
National Park come in second place?
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."
Top 5 list of USA national
parks:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Bryce Canyon National
Park
- Rocky Mountain National
Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- Acadia National Park
For more information
Nicole Barnard
tmwi, acting on behalf of Audley Travel
outreach@tmwi.co.uk
01789 404180
Note to editors:
Audley Travel is an expert in individually designed travel,
creating meaningful experiences in more than 80 destinations across
all seven continents. Its dedicated destination specialists use
their firsthand knowledge to plan your trip down to the finest
detail, choosing experiences that speak to your passions and
pairing you with local guides who are top of their field.
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