Where Americans Can Travel and should they?

It’s a question many people want to know, and the answer can change daily. There’s no doubt a lot of pent-up desire to travel, but the decision process can be complicated without some guidance. Fortunately, you’ve made it here, and I hope to bring some clarity to the question. 

The first and most obvious answer is anywhere in the US, and I have to say, from recent travel experience, it’s much appreciated.  All states are open, but ordinances can and do vary. Generally speaking, the western part of the country has seen a significant uptick in domestic travel, with most arrivals by RV or air. Taking a back seat are the large 50-passenger buses that once roamed the parks like the buffalo of years past. They still operate, just not in large numbers. 

Likely, you’re one of the many people looking to visit wide-open spaces and avoid crowds, but the question is: where and how? For starters, try it in your own backyard. Likely, there are many places you haven’t explored, or it’s been a long time. Take a second look at what is in a 100-mile radius of your own home. If you’re looking a little further, nothing beats the State and National Parks. For a list of National Parks by state, visit the National Park Service website.

My advice on National Parks is two-fold. 1.) Find out where you can get the best bang for your buck. (Utah has five that are famous) and 2.) Look for parks that are less visited, like the Badlands of South Dakota or Acadia National Park in Maine. I’ve fallen in love with the Southwest, so Arizona and New Mexico would be great places to visit during the winter, and they are packed with parks for all kinds of sightseeing and activities. Last on the State and National Parks…. give hiking consideration and plan for it. Most of us haven’t been out in nature, and spending most of our time in the car can sterilize the experience.

Now on to International trips. At the moment, this is the trickiest of options, but it’s not stopping some from exploring. Visit this CNN page for a list of countries that are currently open. My advice is that if you want to travel internationally or plan future international trips, consult a travel professional. It won’t cost you a penny more. The advice you get can be invaluable. At the moment, there are so many requirements, whether it be a negative COVID test within the past 3 days or a self-quarantine upon arrival, you’ll need to know what each requirement entails. 

What would I do if I were you? Well, travel is going to open, and I believe it’s actually going to be a better experience moving ahead. Companies like mine have had to innovate, implement protocols, and rethink travel in a whole new way. This has required, and at times forced, creativity for the traveler’s well-being. What I’m seeing most is what I call “bubble groups”, which are friends or family that travel together on a private trip. These trips tend to be more costly to operate and therefore more expensive for consumers, but they provide not only a better experience but also peace of mind. Who really wants to do the 50-passenger bus tour now anyway? Not me. 

If you’d like to see the tours we offer that can be customized and private, check out our Black Hills and Badlands Private Tours. What you’ll find here might surprise you. You’ll see private trips with quite a few inclusions at about half the price of the big boys. Remember, the outdoors provides places and experiences that feed the soul and heal the mind. It’s ok to travel right now, just be responsible and use common sense!