Visiting the 63 national parks is a bucket list objective for nature lovers, but it takes a lot of travel and time to get to them all. However, TikToker Lita Talisman of @litaofthepack has made a significant effort and visited 50 of them so far. Lita currently lives the van life traveling around the U.S. with her husband, and traveling isn't a new thing for Lita. In her blog, she writes that the adventure bug hit her in high school "after traveling at a young age with [her] parents." And what a traveling bug it has been! According to her blog, Lita has visited 36 states and 38 countries. Her goal is to hit the contiguous 48, see beautiful national parks and fascinating cities, and enjoy her adventures along the way.
@litaofthepack Another one #nationalpark #findyourpark #rankings
Jumping on the recent TikTok trend using the Woodkid "Run Boy Run" audio, Lita ranks the national parks she's visited, beginning with the best fall foliage.
Best Fall Foliage
GETTY IMAGES
In her opinion, the park with the best fall color display is Acadia National Park. The park is located mostly on Mount Desert Island in Maine. The park comprises over 47,000 acres of the Atlantic coast and is full of woodlands, beaches, and granite peaks. It's home to moose, bears, whales, and many bird species.
Most Otherworldly
A ranking of "most otherworldly" makes sense for the hot, dry deserts of Death Valley, California. The national park has some of the lowest elevation out of the 63 and, according to the National Park Service, has various extremes. While the desert may be scorching, the highest points in the valley are capped with snow. When rainstorms grace the valley, wildflower fields bloom, giving the valley new life.
Most Underrated
GETTY IMAGES
Dry Tortugas National Park is located west of Key West, Florida, and comprises a 19th-century fort, seven islands, and plenty of sea life. Unfortunately, visitors can only get to the 100-square-mile area via a boat or seaplane. But, despite its remote location, it is anything but boring. The islands are filled with stunning blue waters, vast sea life, coral reefs, birds, and the historic Fort Jefferson.
Craziest Experiences
GETTY IMAGES
Zion National Park was the first national park in Utah, and is filled with amazing wilderness and deep historical experiences. Visitors can camp, hike, climb, and backpack through the 2,000-foot canyon. Running through the middle is the Virgin River, where visitors can cool off with a quick swim. Some park highlights are the Crawford and Kolob arches.
Dreamiest
GETTY IMAGES
Located in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park offers visitors over 200 miles of trails to hike and explore. The Snake River twists through as the perfect vessel for a good float, not to mention great fishing. The Tetons are home to bears, moose, elk, and various other wildlife. Peppered throughout the park are places to hike, lakes to see, and alpine terrain to explore.
Grandest
GETTY IMAGES
Yosemite National Park is well-known for being the home of Half Dome, but that's not the only attraction the park has to offer. Visitors can camp, hike, and backpack throughout. During the spring, visitors can visit the grand waterfalls flowing in full force due to the snow melt. The 1,200-square-mile park is also home to meadows, valleys, giant sequoias, and wildlife.
Best Hiking
GETTY IMAGES
Montana's Glacier National Park has something for everyone. See the massive melting glaciers the park is named after, and visit meadows, water-carved valleys, and alpine lakes. The park has over 700 miles of trails for every level of hiker. Take a guided tour on Going to the Sun Road or drive through it yourself. The park's visitor center is full of the park's rich history and deep Native American ties. The park is packed during the summer months and can have road closures during the winter.
