Après plus d'un an de préparation ! Voici notre itinéraire définitif pour notre départ dans 1 mois (on commence à sauter de joie depuis le temps qu'on trouve que le temps ne passe pas assez vite... )
Tout est booké depuis longtemps (sauf quelques hotels qui ont changé dernièrement en fonction des promos à las Vegas) : merci de vos commentaires si vous pensez que nous avons oublié des choses ! Toutes vos remarques ou critiques seront les bienvenues...
Nous partons à 4 (2 adultes et 2 enfants de 9 et 6 ans) - nous avons essayé de faire équilibré pour éviter les trop grosses étapes de route et prendre le temps de faire des ballades dans les parcs (sauf si la chaleur est vraiment intense ! on se rabattra sur les piscines des hotels... lol) c'est pourquoi nous avons volontairement écarté la Californie et le secteur de Yellowstone (impossible de tout faire en tout juste 3 semaines)...
Départ le Dimanche 15 juin en train : Lyon - Bruxelles nuit au Novotel de l'aéroport
J1 - 16/06 : Vol Bruxelles - Las Vegas via Chicago - Arrivée vers 16h30 / Taxi et installation à l'hotel Paris
J2 - 17/06 : Journée libre à Las Vegas - Prise en charge le matin de notre voiture (catégorie Toyota Highlander) à l'hotel Paris / Nuit à l'hotel Paris
J3 - 18/06 : Départ tôt pour Valley of Fire, et route vers Zion : Si possible, ballade dans les Narrows - Nuit à Springdale (Pioneer Lodge)
J4 - 19/06 : Zion, ballade Canyon Overlook et route vers Grand Canyon North Rim (visite des divers points de vue) - Nuit au Lodge dans une Pioneer Cabin
J5 - 20/06 : Route vers Page, via Lee's Ferry et Horseshoe Bend - Après midi : location d'un bateau ou ballade sur le lac (Antelope canyon tour) / Nuit à Page au Day's Inn
J6 - 21/06 : Visite de Antelope Canyon, certainement Lower Antelope Canyon qui semble plus sympa pour les enfants et moins surpeuplé que Upper Antelope... Puis route vers Bryce via Cottonwood Canyon Road - Si possible, visite de Kodachrome en fin d'après midi / Nuit au Ruby's Inn de Bryce (coucher de soleil à Bryce)
J7 - 22/06 : ballade dans Bryce (si possible, combiné Navajo et Peekaboo trail), et route vers Escalante (via Kodachrome si pas fait la veille) - Eventuellement Devil's Garden en fin d'après midi... / Nuit à Escalante Rainbow Country B&B
J8 - 23/06 : Burr trail et Capitol Reef via Nottom Road / Nuit à Torrey Austin chuck Wagon
J9 - 24/06 : Route vers Moab via Goblin Valley / Installation pour 4 nuits à Moab (La Quinta Inn)
J10 - 11 -12 : Visite du secteur de Moab en panachant au mieux... A faire les matins : Arches : Devil's Garden + autres (j'ai trouvé sur le net un site qui récapitule ce qu'il vaut mieux visiter le matin ou le soir à Arches pour les meilleurs expositions photos...), Canyonlands : Shafer trail + Potash Road, Raft sur le colorado ??, Needles (Chelser Park Viewpoint)??? et les soirs : Island in The sky et Dead Horse Point, Arches : Delicate arch et autre, Route 128 et Fisher Tower, spectacle Bar Chuck (musique country et "diner" cow boy)
Je ne sais pas si on aura le temps de tout faire à Moab vu que les activités et choses à voir sont nombreuses et qu'il risque de faire très chaud en journée... A voir sur place...
J13 - 28/06 : Route pour Chinle - Canyon de chelly rive sud - Nuit à Chinle Holiday Inn
J14 - 29/06 : Canyon de chelly : White House trail puis route vers Mexican Hat : Valley of Gods et Gooseneck, et route vers Monument Valley : visite de la piste en fin d'après midi - Nuit au Goulding's Lodge
J15 - 30/06 : Grosse journée de route - Monument Valley à Kingman via la route 66 - nuit à Kingman (Best Western Wayfarer's)
J16 - 01/07 : A nouveau grosse journée de route : Kingman - Oatman et route vers Death Valley via le désert du Mojave - Visite des différents points de vue (Badwater, Devil's gold course...), coucher de soleil sur les dunes - Nuit au Stovepipe wells
J17 - 02/07 : Death Valley suite et route vers Las Vegas / Installation au Venetian pour 2 nuits
J18 - 03/07 : journée libre à Las Vegas
J19 - 04/07 : Vol Las Vegas - Bruxelles
J20 - 05/07 : arrivée à Bruxelles et retour sur Lyon
Merci de toutes vos remarques, suggestions, idées, critiques....
Bonjour les distances me paraissent correctes meme si grande fan de SFO....je ne l ai pas vu dans ta liste mais tu l as deja peut etre visité avant? tu as mis Yosemite? ....enfin ca a l air deja bien "chaud" comme çà!!! le plus dur ca va etre Lyon- Bruxelles (lol) et la nuit au Novotel...je plaisante .bon voyage
Bonjour,
Je vous imagine bien faisant le compte à rebours sur le frigo de la cuisine 😛 !
Juste une suggestion pour les Needles enfonction de votre timing, les deux points de vues Anticline Overlook et Needles Overlook valent le kilométrage, en fin de journée l'éclairage avec le soleil à l'ouest donc dans le dos, c'est grandiose !
Et pour Vegas, vous allez être comme des princes au Venetian, c'est beau et grand luxe.
Allez, patience, ça approche !
Patrick
Nous connaissons déjà effectivement San Francisco et Yosemite (et également Yellowstone)... Maginifique, c'est vrai ! mais il a fallut faire des choix pour limiter les kilomètres avec les enfants...
Cette année, nous ferons juste Death Valley en Californie, sinon, resterons au Nevada, Utah et Arizona...
Bonjour,
Je vous imagine bien faisant le compte à rebours sur le frigo de la cuisine 😛 !
Tiens, aurais-tu fait la même chose l'année dernière ??? Je suis un peu comme le chien de ton avatar !! je commence à sauter dans tous les sens !!!! lol
J'avais bien pensé aux points de vue de la section Needles... mais je trouve que ça fait pas mal de kilomètres... en tout cas autant que d'aller directement à Needles ! A voir, ce sera surement en fonction aussi de la chaleur !!
Oui, pour moi, le Venetian était un rêve, devenu réalité grâce à une promo !!! Moins cher que le Bellagio et guère plus cher que le Paris !!!
En lisant votre circuit, je me rappelle le nôtre en septembre 2007 (déjà !).
En vrac, je peux vous dire que si vous avez une Toyota Highlander, pour 4 ce sera pas mal. Nous étions 4 adultes avec 4 valises à ranger verticalement. Ce n'est pas un vrai 4x4, et comme nous n'avions pas fait de vrais pistes, nous avions préféré la Toyota Sienna à partir de SF, plus grande.
En ce qui concerne Torrey, j'avais réservé bien à l'avance à l'Austin Chuck Wagon, mais quand nous sommes arrivés, aucune réservation disponible pour nous !! alors que je leur ai présenté le mail de réservation plus le débit sur mon compte bancaire. Finalement, à leurs frais bien sûr, nous avons attéri au Wonderland. (un petit coup de fil pour vous rassurer ?)
Pour Moab, nous avons fait le combiné 4x4 (Shafer trail + potash), très bien et le raft l'après-midi (très tranquille le raft car en septembre pas beaucoup de courant).
Nous avions aussi survolé en avion Island in the Sky pendant une heure, très bien !
Plus tout le reste, Arches, Dead Horse Point (très beau). Tout le monde a aimé Moab. Essayez si vous pouvez le restaurant en altitude le soir.
Pour Las Vegas, avec ma femme nous étions au Venitian pour la fin d'année 2006, et c'était très bien. Belle chambre et belle atmosphère.
Pour ce qui concerne la route, nous avions 2 ou 3 étapes avec 400 kms, et bien çà passe très bien avec la musique..en plus vous avez les enfants pour vous distraire....
De toute façon, ce sera un très beau voyage !!!
Pour une fois qu'un Lyonnais encourage un Stéphanois !!!!!!
Merci pour toutes tes infos..
En ce qui concerne Austin Chuck Wagon, ils prennent peut-être plus de précaution depuis ton passage (lol), car ils m'ont envoyé un email il y a quelques jours pour nous demander si nous maintenions notre résa d'une cabine... je leur ai répondu par l'affirmative en leur demandant bien de ne rien annuler... et à leur tour ils m'ont répondu qu'ils n'annulaient pas !! ouf, bien sur, j'emmène une copie des emails !!!
A Moab, c'est quoi le restaurant en "altitude" ??? Nous sommes allés à Moab en 98 juste 1 nuit, trop court... cette année, on va bien profiter du secteur !! pour moi, c'est le coin le plus beau !!!
Et au fait, nous ne sommes pas Stéphanois, mais Roannais... lol !! Et vraiment en limite du Rhône.. donc tout va bien !!!
a +
je suis attentivement ce topic car je pars (un peu précipitament) là bas mardi prochain:
je n'ai pour l'instant que la réservation et confirmation des hôtels et je n'ai donc que quelques jours pour organiser... enfin plutôt m'intéresser... au point principaux à voir.
ça me désole un peu car j'avais mis trois mois à prépaper mon voyage en thailande et là... pfff
enfin, voilà ce qu'on fait: 20/05/08 au 21/05/08 : 1 nuit : Hacienda Hotel. 21/05/08 au 23/05/08 : 2 nuits : Best Western Inn Palm Spring. 23/05/08 au 24/05/08 : 1 nuit : Days Inn Fashion Square Scottsdale. 24/05/08 au 25/05/08 : 1 nuit : Canyon Plaza Quality Inn A Grand Canyon. 25/05/08 au 26/05/08 : 1 nuit : Courtyard By Marriott Lake Page. 26/05/08 au 27/05/08 : 1 nuit : Holiday Inn Kayenta 27/05/08 au 29/05/08 : 2 nuits : Ramada Inn Moab 29/05/08 au 30/05/08 : 1 nuit : Best Western Ruby'Inn Brice Canyon. 30/05/08 au 31/05/08 : 1 nuit : Holiday Inn Saint George 31/05/08 au 02/06/08 : 2 nuits : Circus Circus, Las Vegas. 02/06/08 au 03/06/08 : 1 nuit : Stove Pipe Wells, Death Valley. 03/06/08 au 04/06/08 : 1 nuit : Comfort Inn & Suites, Three Rivers. 04/06/08 au 05/06/08 : 1 nuit : Comfort Inn Yosemite area, Oakhurst. 05/06/08 au 07/06/08 : 2 nuits : BW Americania, San Francisco 07/06/08 au 08/06/08 : 1 nuit : Holiday Inn Express Grover, Grover Beach. 08/06/08 au 10/06/08 : 2 nuits : Holiday Inn Los Angeles In
c'est nul de n'avoir rien d'autre pour l'instant mais bon... le chèque voyage gratos ne pouvait plus attendre 😎
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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! 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!
