A recent study by ACE.com has revealed the happiest national parks in the United States, with Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park taking the top spot. The research, conducted using AI facial analysis on Instagram photos, assessed visitor happiness across all 63 US national parks. Voyageurs National Park achieved a perfect happiness score of 100 and a smile score of 99.7, resulting in a near-perfect Happy National Park Score of 99.84.
The study, released during National Park Month, highlights the emotional impact of these natural escapes. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota followed closely, securing second and third places with scores of 99.79 and 99.75, respectively. Rocky Mountain National Park is renowned for its alpine landscapes and wildlife, whilst Theodore Roosevelt National Park is celebrated for its rugged terrain and conservation legacy.
The analysis also revealed that less crowded, remote parks tend to score higher in happiness metrics. In contrast, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited park with over 11.5 million annual visitors, ranked only 27th. Capitol Reef National Park in Utah was identified as the least happy, with a score of 86.88.
This innovative approach to measuring visitor satisfaction offers insights into how natural beauty and solitude contribute to happiness. As national parks continue to attract millions, understanding these emotional connections can enhance visitor experiences and conservation efforts
This story was selected and published by a human editor, with content adapted from original press material using AI tools and checked by the editor before publication. Spot an error? Report it here.
