J'envisage de partir en juillet en Arizona avec ma chérie. Ce serait la première fois que l'on mettrait les pieds sur le sol des Etats-Unis. Ce que nous voulons voir c'est avant tout l'esprit Far West, les montagnes rouges, etc...
Nous partirions 15 jours et loueront une voiture sur place.
Après multiples recherches, j'envisage ce circuit:
Arrivée à l'aéroport de FLAGSTAFF
Y rester quelques jours pour visiter :
- Sunset Crater Volcano à 30mn de route
- Wupatki National Monument à 1h10
- Grand Canyon Village à 1h30
- Grand Canyon National Park à 1h20
Puis aller sur HOLBROOK pour visiter :
- Petrified Forest à 25mn
- Meteor Crater à 1h
Puis aller sur CHINLE et visiter :
- le Canyon de Chelly à proximité
Se rendre ensuite à KAYENTA et visiter :
- Monument Valley à 25mn
- Twin Rocks à 1h15
- Arches National Park à 3h
- Four Corners Monument à 1h20
Aller sur PAGE et faire :
- Lake Powell à 15mn
- Zion National Park à 2h20 Monument Valley à 2h15
Aller sur KINGMAN pour avoir un pied à terre et pousser jusqu'à LAS VEGAS
Aller sur WILLIAMS et visiter :
- Grand Canyon Village à 1h20
- Meteor Crater à 1h20
Et enfin retour sur FLAGSTAFF et départ pour la FRANCE.
Qu'en pensez-vous est-ce faisable ?
Ce que je ne sais pas c'est le nombre de jours nécessaires à accorder pour chaque étape...
Si certains connaissent bien l'Arizona et peuvent m'éclairer ce serait cool, on a un peu l'appréhension de partir si loin..
Encore merci de prendre le temps de me lire et de m'aider.
Pour avoir été un peu en Arizona , je dois vous dire que vous aller adorer cet état.
De plus la conduite aux États-Unis est plutôt reposante . En ce qui concerne votre itinéraire comme je n'ai pas fait ce circuit je ne peux commenter. Des experts vont se manifester.
Un truc en passant . J'achète toujours une glacière en styromousse et de la glace ( glaçons chez vous) chez Walmart ou autre supermarché . Le midi je fais un pique-nique. Pratique quand on est loin de tout dans un magnifique parc ou qu'on ne veut pas perdre de temps dans un restaurant . Ou encore pour l'apéro à l'hôtel .....
Le vol est trop important dans un voyage pour ne regarder que le prix.
Bon... et bien il va falloir modifier certains détails 😎
Déjà l'aéroport de Flagstaff ne vous permettra pas d'arriver ni de repartir sur la France. C'est un petit aéroport régional.
Le plus proche qui vous permettra ceci sera Phoenix.
Ensuite, sur ce type de voyage, ne pensez pas à vous poser puis à rayonner. On peut le faire de temps en temps: en ville par exemple ou à Moab pour quelques jours mais dans l'ensemble le voyage sera itinérant et vous ferez pas mal de kilomètres...
Quelques conseils dans l'organisation et des itinéraires possibles là si ça vous intéresse:
http://jeveuxcamperauxusa.blogspot.fr/2011/07/organisation-du-voyage.html
Comme déjà dit, rayonner d'un endroit n'est pas une bonne chose dans l'Ouest, cela fait faire beaucoup de route, il y en a déjà assez dans un "circuit normal" sans en rajouter un peu plus en aller retour inutiles.
Tu pourrais faire ceci:
Flagstaff - Sunset Crater et Wupatki - Nuit Grand Canyon Village
Grand Canyon - Nuit Grand Canyon Village
Williams - Meteor Crater - Petrified Forest - Nuit Holbrook
Holbrook - Canyon de Chelly - Nuit Chinle
Chinle - Monument Valley (à combiner avec Goosenecks State Park) - Nuit Mexican Hat
Mexican Hay - Moab (Corona ARch et Fisher Towers) - Nuit Moab
Arches - Nuit Moab
Canyonlands et Dead Horse Point - Nuit Moab ou Green River
Moab - Goblin Valley State Park Capitol Reef National Park - Nuit Torrey
Torrey - Route 12 - Bryce Canyon - Nuit Tropic
Tropic - Zion - Nuit Springdale
Springdale - Valley Of Fire - Nuit Vegas
Je ne connais pas les possibilités de vol pour Flagstaff ni les possibilités de location de véhicule. Je pense notamment au coût! Peut être envisager une arrivée à Phoenix et un départ de Vegas en vol multi destination.
A voir maintenant si un tel projet peut rentrer dans 15 jours.
Bonjour,
Je pense qu'arriver à Phoenix et repartir de Vegas est une bonne idée.
Scottsdale
Rock spring
Jérôme
Sedona
Williams (mieux que Flagstaff)
pour une 1ère étape.
Vérifier les dates des rodeos à camp verde, ce serait dommage de manquer ça.
Comme déjà dit, rayonner d'un endroit n'est pas une bonne chose dans l'Ouest, cela fait faire beaucoup de route, il y en a déjà assez dans un "circuit normal" sans en rajouter un peu plus en aller retour inutiles.
Tu pourrais faire ceci:
Flagstaff - Sunset Crater et Wupatki - Nuit Grand Canyon Village
Grand Canyon - Nuit Grand Canyon Village
Williams - Meteor Crater - Petrified Forest - Nuit Holbrook
Holbrook - Canyon de Chelly - Nuit Chinle
Chinle - Monument Valley (à combiner avec Goosenecks State Park) - Nuit Mexican Hat
Mexican Hay - Moab (Corona ARch et Fisher Towers) - Nuit Moab
Arches - Nuit Moab
Canyonlands et Dead Horse Point - Nuit Moab ou Green River
Moab - Goblin Valley State Park Capitol Reef National Park - Nuit Torrey
Torrey - Route 12 - Bryce Canyon - Nuit Tropic
Tropic - Zion - Nuit Springdale
Springdale - Valley Of Fire - Nuit Vegas
Je ne connais pas les possibilités de vol pour Flagstaff ni les possibilités de location de véhicule. Je pense notamment au coût! Peut être envisager une arrivée à Phoenix et un départ de Vegas en vol multi destination.
A voir maintenant si un tel projet peut rentrer dans 15 jours.
Merci à tous de m'aider, je commence à y voir un peu plus clair.
Itat ton itinéraire me semble pas mal du tout, mais j'aimerai beaucoup voir le Lake Powell pour s'y rafraîchir (surtout à cette période) , j'envisagais d'aller à PAGE pour ça, la ville vaut-elle le coup ou y a t il plus proche comme ville ?
Pour le Lake Powell, c'est en effet Page. Tu peux le placer entre Bryce et Zion en faisant un crochet.
Mais ce type d'itinéraire me parait plus faisable en 3 semaines que 15 jours 😉
Flagstaff est effectivement un petit aeroport regional . Le mieux est d'arriver sur Phoenix.
Pour une 1ere visite aux Usa , inutile de visiter Phoenix (avis perso)
J'ai préféré Williams a Flagstaff , ville qui cultive l'ambiance route 66. C'est tres sympa de flaner dans les boutiques.
La zone de Tucson est sympa (cactus, sonoran desert museum, musee de l'air..) mais tout dépend de tes goûts et du temps disponible.
Il va falloir revoir ton circuit... calcule bien les Km, les temps de parcours, temps de viste, photos, repas ... tu y verras plus clair.
Regarde bien les avions avec Depart different de l'arrivée. Cela peut être moins cher .
Cela te permet d'optimiser tes parcours . Parce que partir de Flagstaff.. puis revenir à Williams... Hum
Pour 1 premier voyage, je ne privilegierai pas Sunset Crater Volcano et Wupatki National Monument .
J'avais prévu de les voir et on a pas eu le temps .
Monument Valley se visite plutot le soir (coucher de soleil) ! arriver au plus tard a 16h Maxi
Dormir sur place, c'est le top . Sinon il y a des tas de sites intéressant du côté de Bluff (voir ci dessous)
Canyon de Chinle, tu n'auras pas le temps .
A Page, il serait dommage de louper Antelope Canyon !
En fait, tu trouveras tout ce qu'il faut sur ce forum pour préparer toi même ton voyage. c'était notre 1er voyage aux usa, et organisé par nous mêmes et la communauté a été d'une très grande aide + le routard .
Malgré les choix difficiles que tu fais en France pour ajuster au mieux le temps sans courir toutes les 2 heures, et bien sur place, tu fais moins que ce que tu avais prévu ! cela permet de se dire "on reviendra !"
Je suis allé en Arizona en MAI 2013 et nous avons visité :
Jour 1 : Paris - Phoenix via Detroit sur vol AF / Delta
Jour 2 : Phoenix -> Tucson. Visite du PIMA
Jour 3 : Tucson : Visite Sonoran Desert Museum - visite Saguaro NP
Jour 4 : Visite Silo TITAN - Route vers Phoenix - Apache Trail - Nuit à Payson
Jour 5 : visite Montezuma Castle NM - Sedona - Nuit a Flagstaff
Jour 6 : visite Metor Crater - Parc de la forêt Pétrifée / painted Desert - Nuit à Flagstaff
Jour 7 : visite Observatoire Lowell - Grand Canyon + coucher de soleil - nuit à Williams
Jour 8 : visite GC - tour en Avion - nuit a Williams
Jour 9 : Route et visite Monument Valley - Nuit sur place au Goulding Campground
Jour 10 : Gooseneck SP - Muki Dugway - Muley Point - Valley of the Gods - Nuit à Bluff (Recapture Lodge)
Jour 11 : Natural Bridge NM - Scenic Road UT95 - Nuit Caineville
Jour 12 : Capitol Reef (scenic drive) - Fruita - Scenic Road 12 - Burr trail (une petite partie, jusqu'au point de vue) - nuit à Tropic
Jour 13 : Mossy cave - Red Canyon - Bryce canyon - nuit a Tropic
Jour 14 : Route vers Page - Visite marinas - Nuit au Red Rock Motel
Jour 15 : Visite Lower Antelope Canyon - Horseshoebend - baignade - Bateau sur lac powell depuis Antelope Marina - Nuit a red Rock motel
Jour 16 : Route vers Zion - traversée du parc - Nuit a Mesquite
Jour 17 : Visite Lac Mead - Hoover Dam - Las vegas - Nuit a la Stratosphere
Jour 18 - Las vegas - Nuit Stratosphere
Jour 19 - Vol vers Paris via Minneapolis
Un voyage comme cela, cela se prépare assez à l'avance. On y passe du temps , mais après , quels souvenirs . Tu ne le regretteras pas . C'est un super voyage.
Pour le Lake Powell, c'est en effet Page. Tu peux le placer entre Bryce et Zion en faisant un crochet.
Mais ce type d'itinéraire me parait plus faisable en 3 semaines que 15 jours 😉
c'est sûr que 3 semaines serait mieux mais mon boulot ne permet pas de prendre autant.
J'aimerai bien voir aussi Antelope Canyon.
A voir si il n'y a pas une étape ou 2 à sauter pour faire tout ça en 15 jours. Meteor Crater et Sunset Crater vaut-ils le coup ?
Si des choses doivent sauter c'est Meteor Crater, Sunset Crater, Wupatki NM, Petrified Forest et Canyon de Chelly
Et faire sur 15 jours un circuit plus orienté vers les classiques:
Arrivée Phoenix - Apache Trail - Sedona - Grand Canyon - Page Lake Powell - Monument Valley - Moab - Capitol Reef - Bryce Canyon - Zion - Valley Of Fire - Las Vegas et départ de là
Bonsoir,
J'ai re-travaillé mon parcours avec les infos du forum, voici ce que j'obtiens :
J1 : Arrivée à Phoenix
J2 : Phoenix -> Grand Canyon (3h30 228miles) temps de visite de 1 jour Nuit au Grand Canyon NP
J3 : Grand Canyon (matin) –> Page Lake Powell (133 miles, 2 heures 50 min) temps de visite : l’après-midi Nuit à PAGE
J4 : Page – >puis Monument Valley(après-midi) (2h15 et 128 miles) Nuit sur Monument Valley
J5 : Monument Valley -> Moab- Dead Horse Point (après-midi) (3h23 et 184miles) Nuit sur MOAB
J6 : Moab (Arches NP toute la journée) (8min et 5,2 miles) Nuit sur MOAB
J7 : Moab (Canyonlands NP toute la journée) (43min et 32,5miles) Nuit sur MOAB
J8 : Moab -> Torrey (Capitol Reef toute la journée) (2h40 et 156miles) Nuit sur TORREY
J9 : Torrey - Bryce Canyon toute la journée (2h28 et 129miles) Nuit sur Bryce Canyon
J10 : Bryce Canyon - Zion NP toute la journée (1h47 et 85,5miles) Nuit sur ZION
J11 : Zion NP (matin) - Las Vegas (2h36 et 165miles) Nuit sur LV
J12 : Las Vegas Nuit sur LV
J13 : Las Vegas Nuit sur LV
J14 : Retour France
Est-ce faisable ? 2 jours sur Las Vegas me paraît beaucoup, les jeux ne m'attirent pas tant que ça, je ferai bien un arrêt sur Sedona histoire d'étoffer un peu mes 15 jours...
C'est tout de même une sacré préparation tout ça !
Merci
Oui tu peux retirer un jour à Vegas pour le placer à Sedona et faire en J2: Phoenix (passer la nuit à Apache Junction la veille) - Apache Trail - Sedona - Nuit Sedona
Oui tu peux retirer un jour à Vegas pour le placer à Sedona et faire en J2: Phoenix (passer la nuit à Apache Junction la veille) - Apache Trail - Sedona - Nuit Sedona
@++
Merci Itat, donc ça donnerait ça :
J1 : Arrivée à Phoenix-> (38 min et 35miles) Nuit à Apache Junction
hôtel :
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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.
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!
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?
