Nature and safety

National parks, hiking, wildlife, extreme weather, safety and health on the road.

Stargazing and the northern lights in the United States

The parks with the darkest skies, the best period for seeing the Milky Way, meteor showers, evenings with the rangers and where to try for the northern lights.

Wildlife in the United States: bears, bison, snakes and alligators

Distances to keep, food storage, bear spray, what to do when faced with a bear, a bison, a snake or an alligator: watching animals without taking risks.

A typical day in a big American national park

What time to arrive, where to park, when to take the shuttle, where to eat, how to avoid the crowds: how a successful day unfolds in a park such as Zion or Yosemite.

Extreme weather in the United States: heatwaves, flash floods, storms, wildfires and hurricanes

Understanding American weather alerts and knowing how to react to extreme heat, a flash flood, a thunderstorm, a tornado, a wildfire or a hurricane during a road trip.

US national parks and the America the Beautiful pass

How much a national park entrance costs, when the annual pass pays for itself, the reservations to plan ahead, and what to know once there: visitor center, maps, stamps, Junior Ranger.

Hiking in the American parks: preparation, permits and safety

Choosing a trail, carrying enough water, coping with heat and altitude, getting a permit for Angels Landing, Half Dome or The Wave: the guide to hiking in the parks.

Getting medical care in the United States: pharmacy, urgent care, emergency room and medicines

Where to go depending on how serious it is, how much it costs, how the pharmacy works, which medicines to bring and their American equivalents: the traveller's health guide to the United States.

Safety in the United States: theft, scams and good habits when travelling

Car break-ins, neighbourhoods to avoid, tourist scams, emergency numbers, a lost passport: the useful precautions for travelling with peace of mind in the United States.