ESTA

VISITING NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA

Essential if you’re planning a tourist stay of less than 3 months in the United States, theofficial ESTA allows you to visit the American territory and in particular its national parks, which you shouldn’t miss under any circumstances. Most of them are located in the West, so you’re guaranteed to spend some time relaxing or hiking in the heart of nature, in environments as unique as they are magnificent. Here are a few ideas for your walks.

NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA: AN EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES

Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Redwood, Yosemite… if any of these names ring a bell, they’re all part of the USA’s famous national parks. There are 59 of them, so you’ll need more than one road trip to see them all! If you’re from France or another Visa Waiver Program country, you’ll need toobtain ESTA authorization, which requires you to fill in an online form.

The first national park dates back to the 19th century: Yellowstone, in 1872. If you look for photos on the Internet, you’ll surely recognize its characteristic hot springs and geysers. Its breathtaking scenery is one of the reasons why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to an active volcano, Yellowstone Park is home to many species of mammal, including grizzly bears, bison and gray wolves.

It’s hard to list all the attractions of America’s national parks in a single article. Another example of a park to visit to recharge your batteries and marvel at: the Sequoia. What makes it special? The biggest tree in the world! Indeed, this park is home to the “General Sherman” tree, whose volume is estimated at 1487 m3 (not the tallest tree).

We also recommend Alaska’s 8 parks, half of which are the largest in the USA, with Wrangell-St. Elias topping the list at over 33,000 km2. A change of scenery guaranteed, thanks to its mountains and glaciers. Don’t forget your fleece and gloves!

Last but not least, don’t miss the classic but no less exceptional Grand Canyon and Death Valley. Their reputation is well established, but always worth a visit. Unlike Alaska, don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen!

If you still have time, here are a few more ideas… :

PRACTICAL DETAILS FOR EXPLORING THE PARKS

Don’t rush off to the national parks unprepared. You can save money by purchasing the “America the Beautiful Pass”, an $80 annual pass. With this document, you can freely visit all the places listed above, without limits and without paying at each entrance. Depending on the number of places you plan to visit, do a quick calculation to see if the pass is worth your while.

As far as driving is concerned, you should expect to spend up to $30 a day on gasoline, given the much greater distances you’ll have to cover than in France. This will depend on the vehicle you rent and your driving style.

All that’s left to do is order your ESTA authorization online, and fly off to the USA. With its 90-day authorization, you’ll have no trouble visiting many national parks.

Complete the ESTA USA form now, which can take up to 72 hours to process.