Bonjour à tous les passionnés d l’Ouest américain ! J’ai besoin de vos conseils avisés pour préparer un 2e road trip dans les grands espaces.
Je suis parti l’été dernier 2 semaines avec au programme un tour passant par LA, Randsburg Ghost town, Ridgecrest, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Zion NP, Bryce Canyon, Page et Lac Powell, Grand Canyon et Las Vegas. Les meilleures vacances de ma vie, sans hésitation !
Cette année avec les mêmes amis, nous voulons remettre ça, avec un 2e road trip. Nous voulons rester dans le même esprit mais voir des choses différentes, en espérant que ce soit au moins aussi grandiose. Nous avons au moins 2 semaines, maximum 3.
Nous avons esquissé beaucoup d’itinéraires mais aucun ne nous satisfait complètement. Le plus abouti, qui est ambitieux en terme de kilomètres, est le suivant : atterrissage à LA, Big Sur, San Francisco, Yosemite, Mono Lake, Bodie, Lac Tahoe, Loneliest Road in America (Route 50), Great Basin NP, Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone. Décollage de Salt Lake City.
J’ai vraiment besoin de vos avis éclairés : que pensez-vous de cet itinéraire et surtout quelles alternatives proposeriez-vous ? Je suis frustré de ne pas voir la région de Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef ou même plus loin Great Sand Dunes. Je sais qu’il faut savoir faire des choix et des sacrifices mais j’attends avec impatience les conseils des voyageurs expérimentés. Je vous remercie par avance pour vos précieux conseils !
On ne fait pas tout en 2 semaines, ni en 2 fois de semaines ni en 3 fois
Moi, j'en suis à 7 voyages avec des séjours de 3 à 4,5 semaines
Tu es devant un choix, le point principal soit Yellowstone (4 à 5j) soit Moab (2 à3j)
Après on brode autour.
Bern
USA 2018 - Arizona, chez les indiens... https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9061068;#9061068
USA 2014 – Là où vous n'aviez pas pensé aller https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6769327;#6769327
USA 2012 "Au long du Rio Grande" https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5290732;#5290732
J1: Arrivée à Jackson Hole. Grand Teton NP. Nuit à Colter Bay.
J2: Grand Teton (Colter Bay) - Yellowstone
J3: Visite du Yellowstone
J4: Visite du Yellowstone
J5: Fin visite du Yellowstone, retour vers Jackson(avec éventuelle visite ds Grand Teton), nuit à Jackson
J6: matin: vol interne vers SF
J7: visite de SF
J8: visite de SF
J9: SF-Yosemite
J10: visite du Yosemite
J11: route Yosemite- Monterey
J12: Monterey - Big Sur - San Luis Obispo
J13: San Luis Obispo - LA (aprèm et soirée à LA)
J14 : LA (journée facultative à replacer ailleurs si vs voulez)
J15 : LA - Grand Canyon
J16 : Grand Canyon (visite le matin uniquement ou rte directe > MV pour voir Gooseneks, Muley Point , Valley of the Gods, ...) - Monument Valley
J17 : Monument Valley - Moab
J18 : Moab
J19 : Moab
J20 : Moab - Salt Lake City et vol retour
Ce n'est pas pcq vs avez déjà été à Zion , Bryce Canyon, Page, etc... qu'il ne faut plus y retourner (il y a tant à voir ds ces régions qu'on peut y rester plusieurs consécutifs sans y faire la même chose)
Ou sans vol interne (mais sans SF, ni LA, ni la côte, ni Yosemite)
J1 : Arrivée à Denver
J2 : Denver – Thermopolis
J3 : Thermopolis – Cody – Yellowstone
J4 : Yellowstone
J5 : Yellowstone
J6 : Yellowstone
J7 : Yellowstone – Grand Teton
J8 : Grand Teton – Flaming Gorge (ou Vernal)
J9 : Flaming Gorge (ou Vernal) – Moab
J10 : Moab (Canyonlands + Dead Horse Point)
J11 : Moab (Arches)
J12 : Moab – Monument Valley
J13 : Monument Valley – Goosenecks SP/ Valley of the Gods/ Natural Bridges – Hwy scenic 95 - Torrey
J14 : Torrey (Capitol Reef)
J15 : Capitol Reef – Bryce
J16 : Bryce canyon – Page (Lac Powell) via Cottonwood Canyon Road
J17 : Page
J18 : Page – Grand Canyon South Rim (détour éventuel vers Marble Canyon & Lees Ferry)
J19 : Grand Canyon South Rim – Las Vegas
J20 : Las Vegas
J21 : vol retour
ou
J20 : matin: vol interne Las Vegas -SF
J21 : SF
J22 : SF et vol retour en soirée
Ou une toute autre idée:
J1 : Arrivée à Denver
J2 : Denver (Garden of the Gods) – Air Force Academy- Rte vers Great Sand Dunes
J3 : Great Sand Dunes(2H)– Rte Alamosa – Rio Grande Bridge – Taos Pueblo – Taos – Santa Fe
J4 : Santa Fe (visite le matin) – Tent Rocks – Albuquerque
J5 : Albuquerque – Chaco Culture – nuit à Farmington
J6 : Farmington – Route vers Chinle (Canyon de Chelly)
J7 : Suite visite du Canyon de Chelly – Monument Valley
J8 : Monument Valley – Page (Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend)
J9 : Page – Piste Cottonwood Canyon Road – Bryce Canyon
J10 : Bryce Canyon
J11 : Bryce Canyon – Salt Lake City (Antelope Island )
J12: Salt Lake City - Yellowstone
J13 : Yellowstone
J14 : Yellowstone
J15 : Yellowstone
J16 : Yellowstone – Grand Teton
J17 : Grand Teton – Flaming Gorge (ou Vernal)
J18 : Flaming Gorge (ou Vernal) – Moab
J19 : Moab (Canyonlands + Dead Horse Point)
J20 : Moab (Arches)
J21 : Moab – Denver
J22 : vol retour
Bonne cogitation🙂
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Merci beaucoup Bastinj! Je préfère ta 1ère option car j'ai un faible pour l'ambiance de la côte californienne et j'aime y passer quelques jours. De plus ça permet de ne pas rester à 100% dans la thématique parcs car on risque de ne plus apprécier si on en fait trop (comme manger 10 gâteaux à la suite). Par contre le vol Jackson-SF est cher et avec escale. Tu penses que la route n'a aucun intérêt?
L'autre inconvénient est que après SF et LA, ça fait repartir encore loin pour la suite du programme et je me demande si on ne sera pas fatigués de rouler après avoir fait Yellowstone et la côte.
Si tu vaux faire Yellowstone, pourquoi ne pas en profiter pour rester dans le coin et faire une boucle au départ de Denver ? Ça pourrait donner ça :
Jour 1 : Arrivée Denver
Jour 2 : Route vers Rapid City (à voir si venue au moment des Frontier Days de Cheyenne), Custer, Mont Rushmore
Jour 3 : Badlands NP
Jour 4 : Deadwood, Devils Tower
Jour 5 : Bighorn Canyon, Cody
Jour 6 : Yellowstone NP
Jour 7 : Yellowstone NP
Jour 8 : Yellowstone NP
Jour 9 : Yellowstone NP
Jour 10 : Teton NP, Jackson Hole
Jour 11 : Flaming Gorge
Jour 12 : Goblin Valley
Jour 13 : Little Wild Hors Canyon, Dirty Devil Canyon, Little Egypt, Glen Canyon
Jour 14 : Mule Point, Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley
Jour 15 : Moab
Jour 16 : Moab
Jour 17 : Moab
Jour 18 : Colorado NM et route vers Denver
Jour 19 : Denver
Jour 20 : Retour
Tu pourras ajouter à ta convenance un ou deux jours si tu passes par les Frontier Days ou si tu veux rester un peu plus longtemps à un endroit...
J'ai fait un circuit similaire cet été qui était très bien calibré : Je raconte tout ici :
http://onpartenvadrouille.over-blog.com/
A+ si besoin...
"Bon alors Yellowstone, mais avec ce que j'ai énuméré avant..."
Après le choix se porte sur la côte Pacifique (LA SF + Yosemite) ou Moab + autour (MV Capitol Reef mais pas Great Sand Dunes)le premier trop juste en 2 semaines si tu accordes 2 ou 3 jours aux villes
le second possible avec départ et retour de SLC.
La route de Yosemite à Yellowstone, c'est 1500km sans beaucoup d’intérêt, a part des détours étapes qui allonge le temps total.
La solution avion proposée par basting est peut-être chère, mais réaliste
La thématique des parcs ? Yellowstone n'a rien à voir avec tout le reste
Bern
USA 2018 - Arizona, chez les indiens... https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9061068;#9061068
USA 2014 – Là où vous n'aviez pas pensé aller https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6769327;#6769327
USA 2012 "Au long du Rio Grande" https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5290732;#5290732
Il y a 2 routes qui sont très longues et pas très intéressantes à faire , qd on visite l'ouest américain.
Il s'agit de:
- la rte entre LA et Grand Canyon (excepté le petit morceau de la rte 66.. mais ce n'est qd même pas transcendant)
- la rte entre Moab et le Yellowstone (à part la région du Dinosaur NM et du Grand Teton NP, à condition qu'on ait suffisamment de temps pour s'y arrêter. Or, on constate souvent que, faute de temps, bcp escamotent ces parcs, surtout le Dinosaur NM🤪)
Moab et le Yellowstone sont souvent visités lors d'un même voyage, puisque situés du même côté, à l'opposé de la côte.
C'est sûr que, qd on sait déjà qu'on retournera plusieurs fois ds l'ouest américain, il est préférable de se cantonner à une région pour pouvoir en voir le maximum, plutôt que de s'éparpiller partout, avec pour conséquence de faire bcp de rte à chaque voyage, puisque lors du 2ème voyage, il faudra encore retourner ds les mêmes régions pour faire les visites non vues lors du 1er voyage .
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Merci beaucoup à tous les deux! Alors résumons:Yellowstone et Moab vont bien ensemble.La côte Pacifique + Yellowstone + Moab est irréaliste.La côte + Yellowstone serait possible en prenant un vol intérieur.Je penche + pour la 3e solution. Ca serait LA, SF, Yosemite-Mono Lake-Bodie-Lac Tahoe, Grand Teton et Yellowstone. Donc je dois réfléchir d'où à où voler pour la liaison entre la région de Yosemite et celle de Yellowstone.
Maintenant si je reviens sur Yellowstone + Moab, ça pourrait être sympa, mais j'en reviens toujours au fait que ne pas sentir l'air de l'océan et l'atmosphère typiquement californienne me manquerait...
Reste aussi la 4ème solution qui rassemble vos desideratas (côte Pacifique + Yellowstone + Moab), avec le 1er iti donné ci-dessus (seul trajet long: la rte LA-Grand Canyon)
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
USA 2018 - Arizona, chez les indiens... https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9061068;#9061068
USA 2014 – Là où vous n'aviez pas pensé aller https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6769327;#6769327
USA 2012 "Au long du Rio Grande" https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5290732;#5290732
"Quel aéroport utiliser pour décoller de Yosemite vers Yellowstone?"
SF ou à côté, Oakland (qui doit être moins cher)
mais du coup, vs êtes obligé de faire 2x le trajet SF-Yosemite... ce qui revient pratiquement à faire la même distance que LA-Grand Canyon.
Maintenant, si vs avez du temps, il y a des trucs à voir entre Yosemite et SF:
voir http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2656290#2656290
A y réfléchir, je pense qd même que l'itinéraire suivant est une bonne solution pour vous:
J1: Arrivée à Jackson Hole. Grand Teton NP. Nuit à Colter Bay.
J2: Grand Teton (Colter Bay) - Yellowstone
J3: Visite du Yellowstone
J4: Visite du Yellowstone
J5: Fin visite du Yellowstone, retour vers Jackson(avec éventuelle visite ds Grand Teton), nuit à Jackson
J6: matin: vol interne vers SF
J7: visite de SF
J8: visite de SF
J9: SF-Yosemite
J10: visite du Yosemite
J11: route Yosemite- Monterey
J12: Monterey - Big Sur - San Luis Obispo
J13: San Luis Obispo - LA (aprèm et soirée à LA)
J14 : LA (journée facultative à replacer ailleurs si vs voulez)
J15 : LA - Grand Canyon
J16 : Grand Canyon (visite le matin uniquement ou rte directe > MV pour voir Gooseneks, Muley Point , Valley of the Gods, ...) - Monument Valley
J17 : Monument Valley - Moab
J18 : Moab
J19 : Moab
J20 : Moab - Salt Lake City et vol retour
Sauf que pour réduire les frais du vol interne, je ferais le vol interne (+ court) Jackson - SLC et donc l'inverse du circuit à partir du J6
J1: Arrivée à Jackson Hole. Grand Teton NP. Nuit à Colter Bay.
J2: Grand Teton (Colter Bay) - Yellowstone
J3: Visite du Yellowstone
J4: Visite du Yellowstone
J5: Fin visite du Yellowstone, retour vers Jackson(avec éventuelle visite ds Grand Teton), nuit à Jackson
J6: matin: vol interne Jackson-Salt Lake City
J7: SLC- Moab
etc
Et vol retour à partir de SF
Ou alors, vs ne prenez pas du tout de vol interne et faites vs-même la rte en voiture entre Jackson - SLC, ce qui ne représente que 170 mi/4h40, soit une matinée .. ce qui est tout à fait envisageable
Bonne réflexion🙂
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Merci, j'apprécie que tu proposes des alternatives. Je calcule les km pour l'ensemble et j'en ai déjà mal à la tête. Je vais faire plus petit et moins ambitieux, donc oublier Moab (dommage). Le seul souci est la route entre le lac Tahoe et le Yellowstone. Mais bon, c'est le seul inconvénient. Reste à savoir si je fais du Yellowstone à SF et LA ou de LA au Yellowstone...
Amérique du Nord › États-Unis / Canada · 6 replies
Road trip dans l’ouest américain... mais river trip au Canada Le terme ‘’road trip’’ est maintenant passé dans le langage courant en France avec sa connotation…
Comme beaucoup d’entre vous, je me retrouve en repos forcé, ça va être très difficile.. J’ai beaucoup consulté ce forum, et beaucoup d’entre vous m’ont…
Je suis en trés large avance certes. Nous envisageons un road trip (Août 2022) dans l'Ouest pour nos... ans de mariage. Los Angéles, le Grand Canyon, Monument…
J'aurais besoin de votre aide et de vos avis éclairés!!! Voilà pour les 18 ans de notre fils nous souhaitons faire un grand voyage: un road trip dans l'ouest…
Pouvez-vous me donner vos avis et conseils sur mon itinéraire pour notre 1er Road Trip dans l’Ouest Américain? Nous partirons de mi-septembre à mi-octobre,…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Merci de me conseiller pour la réservation pour la plus belle vue faut il réserver une chambre dans l'hôtel ou choisir une cabane ?
Prendre le petit déjeuner ou pas ?
Que pensez vous du restaurant ?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
