Visiting the United States in May is like a walk in the park.

May is a great time to dust off the hiking boots if you're looking to check a few US National Parks off the bucket list. Escape the large summertime crowds by visiting YosemiteYellowstone, and the Grand Canyon during shoulder season and wander desert parks like Joshua Tree and Zion without the sky-high temperatures of July and August. With cool nights and pleasantly warm days, perfect for exploring the wonderfully unique landscapes, May is an ideal time for a National Park adventure.

Top 10 United States tours May 2024

Departing Days From EUR
1 May 2024
Hiking the Best of the Grand Canyon
3 1715
2 May 2024
Best of the South: Atlanta to New Orleans
14 5620
2 May 2024
Georgia History Trail to Nashville
8 2965
2 May 2024
Hiking and Backpacking Utah's Coyote Gulch
4 1615
3 May 2024
Hiking and Camping in Zion
3 1450
6 May 2024
Hiking in Sedona and the Grand Canyon
4 2430
6 May 2024
Hiking and Camping in Utah
6 2190
8 May 2024
Best of Western USA
10 3775
8 May 2024
Hiking Sedona's Red Rock Country
4 2195
8 May 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
5 1990
9 May 2024
Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans
7 2830
11 May 2024
Epic American West
Ages 18 to 35
16 3065
11 May 2024
Real San Francisco to LA
Ages 18 to 35
13 2395
11 May 2024
Hiking Utah's National Parks
9 3390
2882
12 May 2024
Best of California's National Parks
6 1980
1683
12 May 2024
LA to San Fran: Ultimate National Parks
17 7250
6163
12 May 2024
LA to Vegas: Grand National Parks
10 4030
3627
13 May 2024
Hiking the Best of Moab: Arches and Canyonlands
5 3230
14 May 2024
LA to Vegas Adventure
5 1200
1080
14 May 2024
Western USA Highlights
18 4145
15 May 2024
Hiking in the Grand Canyon: North & South Rims
5 2885
18 May 2024
Utah Parks Circuit
8 1975
18 May 2024
Utah, Nevada & California
14 2980
19 May 2024
Hiking in Yosemite National Park
5 2140
20 May 2024
Hiking the Best of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
5 3190
20 May 2024
Hiking and Backpacking in Yellowstone
4 1490
20 May 2024
Hiking and Backpacking North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains
3 995
21 May 2024
Las Vegas to San Fran: Parks, Canyons, Valleys
8 3440
2408
23 May 2024
Zion Glamping Adventure
4 1955
23 May 2024
Real California Coastal Road Trip
Ages 18 to 35
4 765
24 May 2024
Hiking Washington's Olympic National Park
3 2000
25 May 2024
San Francisco to Seattle
9 3355
26 May 2024
Vegas to San Fran
6 1030
26 May 2024
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
6 2760

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United States FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

It depends on where you’re from. Many countries now operate under the United States Visa Waiver Program, meaning a visa isn't required for stays of up to 90 days for travel purposes. There are 40 participating countries including the United KingdomAustralia, New Zealand, Germany and Spain.

If you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you must obtain an authorisation letter confirming you have been approved to travel. Authorisation letters can be obtained by submitting an application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, also known as ESTA. It takes roughly 20 minutes to apply and you'll need to complete the application before you travel to the States.

Learn more about visa requirements for the United States

Tipping is very much a part of the culture in the US. Tips are expected at restaurants, cafes, and diners, as well as by taxi drivers, valet attendants, porters, and hotel maids. People working in the service industry generally are generally paid a wage that is lower than the country's minimum wage and therefore rely upon tips as a major source of their income. In general, leave 15-20% of the bill at places serving food and a few dollars for hotel staff who provide a personal service like carrying bags or cleaning your room.

Learn more about tipping in the United States

Internet access is excellent in the US, and internet cafes and Wi-Fi hot spots are easily found in most cities and major towns.

Major credit cards are widely accepted by stores in the US. Smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, so ensure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases. If you need to withdraw cash, ATMs in major cities are abundant.

You sure do. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability, and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every trip.

Learn more about travel insurance

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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