Each year, millions of travelers from across the U.S. as well as from around the world travel to visit America’s national parks. From the incredible views on the rim of the Grand Canyon to Zion’s towering peaks to Yellowstone’s wildlife, there are many things that draw visitors to travel sometimes thousands of miles for a visit.
At Utah Luxury Tours, we specialize in helping visitors of all ages and backgrounds experience our nation’s national parks like never before. This includes international travelers. From helping you make the most of your time to navigating some of the challenges of traveling in the U.S. that might be new to you, our talented team is here to help every step of your journey.
If you’re an international traveler thinking about visiting a national park in the U.S., keep reading to learn more about some things you need to know ahead of your trip.
Check to See if You Need a Visa or ESTA
Thanks to the Visa Waiver Program, visitors from certain countries do not need a visa to visit the U.S. as long as they are visiting for tourism or business and staying for 90 days or less. Some countries that are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program include:
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Sweden
- Italy
- Chile
- France
- South Korea
You can find the full list of eligible countries here. Those visiting from other countries will need to apply for a visa before their visit. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks, so you’ll want to plan to apply at least a couple of months ahead of your trip.
However, even if you are not required to obtain a visa, you’ll still need to have a valid ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This is a web-based system that determines your eligibility for the Visa Waiver Program and should be completed a few days before your trip.
Getting Around
If you’re visiting from a country where you can frequently rely on public transportation or trains to get from one destination to the next, you might be expecting the same to be true in the U.S. However, public transportation is often limited to major cities. While there are some passenger trains available, these are often slow, costly to ride, and may not reach the destinations that you’re hoping to visit, including much of Southern Utah.
Renting a car is one option for getting around. But this means that you’ll also need to learn the local traffic laws, possibly drive on a different side than you’re used to, pay for gas, and more. Instead, opting for a tour that includes transportation makes it easy to get around. This also means that while you’re traveling from one destination to the next, you can better enjoy the views.
Know That Some National Parks Charge an Entry Fee
Planning to visit several national parks during your visit to Southern Utah? It’s important to note that many charge an entrance fee. These range from $5 per car to as much as $35 per car, and allow entry into that park for up to 7 consecutive days.
If you know that you’re going to be visiting multiple national parks with an entrance fee during your trip, you can purchase an America The Beautiful Pass. These cost $80 and provide entry into all national parks for the cardholder and 3 additional occupants of their vehicle. These passes are available at the entrances to any national parks that charge an entrance fee and are good for one full year from the time of purchase.
Expect Plenty of Weather and Temperature Changes
Southern Utah is home to a variety of unique and distinct landscapes. There are mountains that remain covered in snow well into the summer months, as well as desert regions that frequently see triple-digit temperatures. If you’re going to be exploring during your trip, you’ll likely experience at least a few of these landscapes, as well as the weather and temperature changes that come with them. Even if you’re only planning to venture into Capitol Reef National Park for the day, you may find that the temperatures you experience in the morning are drastically different just a few hours later.
To ensure that you’re safe and comfortable during your visit, plan to pack a variety of types of clothing that you can easily layer. Down jackets, sweaters, and coats in the winter months will protect you from snow and freezing temperatures, while moisture-wicking fabrics are a great choice if you plan to do any hiking in warmer weather.
Do Some Research on Common Laws and Practices
Depending on where you’re visiting from, laws in the U.S. may differ from what you’re used to. In some cases, laws in the U.S. may vary from one state to the next. This is particularly true of traffic laws. For instance, in some states, you can make a right turn at an intersection when the light is red, as long as you’ve stopped and made sure that there are no oncoming vehicles, but in other states, this may be illegal.
While some states in the U.S. have legalized marijuana for recreational use, most have not. Additionally, in the U.S the legal drinking age is 21.
Other things that international travelers should be aware of during their first visit to the U.S. include:
- The prices listed for products in stores usually don’t include sales tax. This is an additional percentage that may range anywhere from 0% to nearly 10% of the purchase price.
- In most restaurants and service locations, like coffee shops and hair salons, as well as on tours, tipping is expected, though not required. Some locations may automatically apply a gratuity to your check, especially if you’re dining in a group of 6 or more.
- Many states have made texting or even holding a phone while driving illegal. However, many modern rental cars feature Bluetooth capabilities so that you can make calls and sometimes even text by voice activation.
- Littering is illegal and may be punishable by fines or even jail time.
Planning a Visit to America’s National Parks
Whether you’re visiting from across the state or around the globe, Utah Luxury Tours can help you plan the perfect adventure in America’s national Parks. Contact us today to learn more about booking your own international adventure!
