One NC park was rated the best in the nation for hikers: Here's why

VivianTravel2025-07-094420

According to a recent survey, the Great Smoky Mountains were at the top of the list for Americans looking to hike a national park this summer.

Kuru Footwear, a shoe brand that also publishes articles and studies on outdoor activities such as hiking and running, surveyed 1,000 Americans in April 2025. The survey found that 36% had already visited national parks in April, and 65% planned to do so before the end of the year.

Also found by the survey - 83% of respondents said they planned to hike during these visits. Kuru writers decided on the top 10 national parks just for hikers. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 348 hiking trails and an average trail rating of 4.4 out of 5 - here's what else Kuru loved about the park, plus the full list and more.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park trails

"With enough trails for a lifetime of gorgeous hikes and a visitor count that far exceeds any other park, the Smokies earn the top spot with ease," the article states. "The lush forests, rolling hills, and misty views are classic for a reason. It’s no wonder this park consistently ranks among the best national parks in USA for hiking."

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The article counts 348 hiking trails within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with an average trail rating of 4.4 out of 5. According to the National Park Service, some of the most popular destination hikes in the park include:

Charlies Bunion - 8 miles round trip

Alum Cave Bluffs - 4.6 miles round trip

Andrews Bald - 3.6 miles round trip

Rainbow Falls - 5.6 miles round trip

Chimney Tops - 3.5 miles round trip

Great Smoky Mountains National Park camping

The NPS website also lists almost 100 campsites in the park. Backcountry sites for backpackers require hiking several miles to sites. The park also contains frontcountry sites, group campgrounds and horse camps.

How many visitors does the Great Smoky Mountains National Park get?

The NPS website states that Great Smoky Mountains National Park received 12.2 million visitors. In 2023, park visitors spent an estimated $2.2 billion in local gateway regions while visiting, supporting a total of 33.7 thousand jobs in local economies.