Nous partons à 2 en mai-juin 2017 sur les secteurs de Moab et de Yellowstone pour notre 2ème voyage dans l'Ouest.
Pour notre premier voyage, nous avions fait une boucle classique: San Francisco - Yosemite - Death Valley - Las Vegas - Zion - Bryce - Monument Valley - Grand Canyon - Los Angeles - San Francisco. Et évidemment, comme beaucoup d'entre vous, nous avons très envie d'y retourner!
Ce deuxième voyage est moins facile à organiser et, du coup, je requiers votre aide concernant notre itinéraire.
A noter que nous n'avons encore rien réservé (ni logement, ni avion).
Voilà notre itinéraire:
Jeudi 25 mai: Vol Paris - Las Vegas - Nuit hôtel LV
Vendredi 26/05: Las Vegas - Zion - Nuit en camping dans le parc (3h de route)
Valley of Fire le matin grâce au décalage horaire - Rando The Narrows
Samedi 27/05: Zion - Kanab - Nuit motel Kanab (1h15 de route)
Rando Angels' Landing le matin
Info: Victimes du mauvais temps en 2015 (risque maximal de flash flood), nous avions survolé le parc
Dimanche 28/05: Nuit motel Kanab
Coyotte Butts North OU Coyotte Butts South OU Rando Edmaier's secret (en fonction de l'obtention du permis ou non)
Lundi 29/05: Nuit motel Kanab
Coyotte Butts North OU Coyotte Butts South OU Rando Edmaier's secret (en fonction de l'obtention du permis ou non)
Mardi 30/05: Kanab - Monument Valley - Nuit au camping The View (3h30 de route)
Matin: Coyotte Butts North OU Coyotte Butts South OU Rando Edmaier's secret (en fonction de l'obtention du permis ou non)
Soir: Balade à cheval
Info: Parc déjà fait en 2015, petit regret concernant la balade à cheval donc nous réparons notre regret!
Mercredi 31/05: Monument Valley - Valley of the Gods - Moki Dugway - Monticello - Nuit au Sqaw Flat campground (1h30 de route)
Jeudi 01/06: Monticello - Moab - Motel Moab (1h30 de route)
Matin: The Needles (rando Chesler Park Viewpoint Trail)
Fin d'après midi: Arch National Park (Rando Delicate Arch Trail)
Vendredi 02/06: Moab - Canyonland - Nuit à Dead Horse State Park Campground (45 min de route)
Matin: Devil's Garden Trail
Après-midi: Dead Horse Point Overlook + tour du parc pour les points de vue
Samedi 03/06: Nuit à Dead Horse State Park Campground
Matin: Shafer trail + Potash Road
Après-midi: Scénic Drive d'Island in the Sky
Dimanche 04/06: Island in the Sky - Dinosaure - Motel à Dinosaure (3h30 de route)
Sur le trajet: route 128 - Fisher Towers - Cisco
Lundi 05/06: Dinosaure - Rocksprings - Motel à Rock Springs (3h de route)
Sur le trajet: Harper Corner Trail
Mardi 06/06: Rock Springs - Grand Teton National Park - Nuit à Lizard Creek Campground (4h45 de route)
Fin d'après-midi: Rando Jenny Lake Trail
Mercredi 07/06: Grand Teton National Park - Yellowstone - Camping à Canyon Village Campground (1h45 de route)
Matin: West Thumb Geysen Basin (1h) – Longer Yellowstone Lake – Sulphur Caldron – Longer Hayden Valley
Après-midi: South Rim Drive - Ribbon Lake Trail (1h) + Uncle Tom Trail (1h) + North Rim Drive
Jeudi 08/06: Yellowstone - Camping à Slough Creek Campground (3h30 de route)
Journée: Slough Creek Campground - Sentier de Porcelain basin – Sentier de back Basin
Soirée: Lamar Valley
Vendredi 09/06: Yellowstone - Motel à Gardiner (2h de route)
Matin: Lamar Valley - Hellroaring
Après-midi: Terrasses de Mammoth Hot Springs
Samedi 10/06: Gardiner - Madison - Camping au Madison Campground (1h30 de route)
Matin: rafting
Après-midi: Gibbon Meadows – Artist paint Pot - Fountain Paint Pot - Firehole Lake Drive – Rando Mary's secret
Dimanche 11/06: Camping au Madison Campground
Matin: Upper Geyser Basin (Old Faithful + Morning Glory Pool + Observation point
Après-midi: Black Sand Basin + Biscuit Basin + Upper Geyser Basin
Lundi 12/06: Yellowstone - Logan - Motel Logan (6h15 via route 89 ou 4h45)
Mardi 13/06: Logan - Torrey - Motel Torrey (5h de route)
Scénic Drive à Fruita
Jeudi 15/06: Boulder - Tropic - Camping au Basin Campground (1h45 de route)
Panorama Trail dans le Kodachrome Basin State Park
Vendredi 16/06: Tropic - Las Vegas - Hôtel LV (5h de route)
Samedi 17/06: Vol Las Vegas - Paris
Que pensez-vous de notre itinéraire?
Et quelques petites questions subsidiaires!
Est-il possible de faire une boucle et de combiner Ribbon Lake Trail et Uncle Tom Trail à Yellowstone?
Connaitriez-vous des camping sympas pour les nuits du mardi 13/06 et du mercredi 14/06?
Il est possible de relier Uncle's Tom à Ribbon Lake en longeant la rim mais quand tu parles de boucle c'est que tu ne veux pas repasser par le même endroit au retour ? Dans ce cas, pas certain que ce soit possible, dans mes souvenirs je dirais que non.
Le 12 je pousserais jusqu'à Antelope Island sur le Grand Lac Salé, il doit y avoir des endroits où camper à l'intérieur. C'est très joli sous une lumière rasante.
Connaitriez-vous des camping sympas pour les nuits du mardi 13/06 et du mercredi 14/06?
Vous qui allez camper et qui disposerez d'un SUV, du côté de Capitol Reef, je privilégierais la boucle de Cathedral Valley si les conditions météo le permettent bien sûr. Le petit camping primitif vous donnera une impression de solitude absolue: http://jeveuxcamperauxusa2.blogspot.fr/p/ce-matin-le-ciel-est-tout-gris.html
Itat, j'ai trouvé une carte sur ce site ci-dessous qui monter comment récupérer la randonnée Ribbon Lake à partir d'Uncle Tom Trail. Effectivement, nous devrons repasser par le même chemin à un moment.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/239DHCanyon2015.pdf
Merci pour l'idée d'Antelope Island, ça ne m'attirait pas jusqu'ici. Mais après avoir fouillé un peu sur le net, ça a l'air d'être un endroit sympa pour passer la nuit (sûrement mieux que Logan en tout cas!)
Merci pour tes idées!
Je me suis pas mal aidée de ton site pour notre projet, il est top! 😉
Pour la piste de Cathedral Valley, je l'avais mis dans notre programme au début. Mais nous sommes deux petites nanas et j'ai très peur de la crevaison! Nous savons changer un pneu, par contre nous n'avons pas forcément la force de le faire... Ca serait dommage de se retrouver bloquer in the middle of nowhere en attendant le passage d'une bonne âme 😄
Pourtant ce site fait rêver et le camping là-bas aussi...
Tiens ton parcours a pas mal de similitudes avec le mien et à la même époque en plus (21 Mai / 6 Juin en finissant par Yellowstone)
Par exemple, pour Zion, moi j'ai prévus comme toi Angels's Landing le matin, petite pose le midi et ensuite Observation Point si ça te donne des idées...
Bon après y'a plein de spécialistes ici pour t'aider au mieux
Bonne prépa
* 04.2016 - San Francisco (semi marathon) / New York / Washington
* 05.2015 - Chicago + Sud Ouest US -
* 08.2013 - Voyage en famille - Principaux Parcs West US.
* 06.1994 - http://georgesroy.perso.worldonline.fr/usa/
* 12.1986 - 1er Voyage USA (CA / AZ / Nevada / Colorado / FL)
Vous campez aussi? J'ai un peu peur des températures nocturnes à Yellowstone...
Pour la petite anecdote, pour mon premier voyage, j'ai voulu voyager léger, et j'ai donc pris le petit sac de couchage tout fin qui se met facilement au fond du sac. Et ben, j'ai passé quelques nuits difficiles... Je crois que je n'ai jamais eu aussi froid de toute ma vie (notamment à Bryce et Zion en septembre) 😄
Je vais cette fois-ci investir dans un VRAI sac de couchage mais du coup, je m'interroge sur les températures.
Pour Zion, j'ai rajouté après Angel's landing, la Canyon Overlook Trail.
Sur la fin du parcours, j'ai aussi rajouté la Cottonwood Canyon Road entre Boulder et Kanab, qui m'a l'air bien chouette.
En Juillet / Août, il n'est pas rare que la température minimale au Yellowstone soit de 0°C 😉
Même si après ça grimpe vite, la fin de nuit et le début de matinée sont très froids !
Alors imagine en juin 😛
Comme le dit Itat ... en Juin Yellowstone, ça risque de cailler la nuit (même la journée)
Perso ça sera 4 nuit à partir de 01/06 à West Yellowstone, et la 5eme nuit sur la rte en direction de SLC pour me rapprocher pour l'avion de retour le lendemain et économiser.
Sinon ça sera pour 2017
Comme toi, j'ai prévu de camper à Squaw Flat (on a prévu la même journée du 01/06 avec Chesler Park + Delicate au couché du soleil)
Je camperais aussi à ALSTROM POINT et peu être aussi à DEAD HORSE POINT... donc un peu plus douillé que toi question températures (en principe ... ) ...
Pour la région de Moab tu pourrais peu être mettre DELTA POOL (très peu connu apparemment donc moins la foule qu'à Arches peu de marche et tres peu de piste)
Comme toi aussi je tenterais THE WAVE & THE SUBWAY malheureusement sans grand espoir
* 04.2016 - San Francisco (semi marathon) / New York / Washington
* 05.2015 - Chicago + Sud Ouest US -
* 08.2013 - Voyage en famille - Principaux Parcs West US.
* 06.1994 - http://georgesroy.perso.worldonline.fr/usa/
* 12.1986 - 1er Voyage USA (CA / AZ / Nevada / Colorado / FL)
Pour Zion, j'ai rajouté après Angel's landing, la Canyon Overlook Trail.
C'est un peu trop similaire à mon goût 😐 tu devrais essayer plutôt un truc vraiment différent comme Kanarra Creek ou bien un truc encore plus proche : Many Pools.
Par exemple, pour Zion, moi j'ai prévus comme toi Angels's Landing le matin, petite pose le midi et ensuite Observation Point si ça te donne des idées...
Quelle santé! respect .... 😎
Comme nous avons parcouru ces 2 randos, à 1an d'intervalle, je peux en déduire qu'il nous faut 12 mois pour récupérer. 😎
Blague à part, si vous partez depuis l'arrêt de la navette, The Grotto, ce seront, 2200m de dénivelé total - calcul non valable si la rando d'Observation Point démarre du haut ( mais sans doute moins fun et beaucoup moins spectaculaire)
J'ai prévu une bonne assurance rapatriement ... au cas ou 😉
* 04.2016 - San Francisco (semi marathon) / New York / Washington
* 05.2015 - Chicago + Sud Ouest US -
* 08.2013 - Voyage en famille - Principaux Parcs West US.
* 06.1994 - http://georgesroy.perso.worldonline.fr/usa/
* 12.1986 - 1er Voyage USA (CA / AZ / Nevada / Colorado / FL)
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Hello!
We’ll be arriving in Montreal on October 21st for a 3-day stay.
After that, we’re heading to Sherbrooke to visit our daughter, who’s studying at the university there. We’ll spend 3 days with her, and then, since she has a break that week, we’re taking her along for 3 days in Quebec City.
We’ve planned to visit Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans.
I’d love to hear what route you’d recommend for the drive from Sherbrooke to Quebec City—we’ll have the whole day to take it easy.
If you have any other recommendations, I’m all ears!
A little disappointed that the fall colors will be over by then, but the dates couldn’t be helped. Thanks in advance for your tips!
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,
We’ve planned a trip (retired couple) for late August to the first half of September in Western Canada.
Classic itinerary: arrival in Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Clearwater, Whistler, Vancouver Island, departure from Vancouver.
I know you can’t see into the future any better than I can, so I’m obviously not asking what the wildfire situation will be like in a month...
But if any of you could let me know if, CURRENTLY, there are major difficulties—not just for locals, of course, but for tourists as well?
We’re hesitating between taking the chance or canceling what we still can.
We’re not young anymore and don’t have the flexibility we once did...
A thousand thanks to those of you on the ground or with contacts there who can help us make this decision!
A friend is renting a car for an upcoming trip during the All Saints' holiday.
Nowadays, all rental cars come with GPS, but do you know if you can use it without paying for the GPS rental? I have no idea since I always use my own!
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?
We went as a family to Mount Rushmore in 2023, where my son bought a multi-function pocket knife like the one below with his name engraved—'NOAH'.
Unfortunately, he just lost it, and he was really attached to it. So, if there’s a kind soul passing by Mount Rushmore who could bring one back for me (I’d obviously cover all costs), that would be amazing for my son.
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
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 🙂
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.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the 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!
