Tu trouveras les temps de visites selon ce que tu choisis de faire ici http://www.ouestusa.fr/utah/ZION/ZION.php
La navette (obligatoire) qui mène aux arrêts le long de la scenic drive prend 1h30 aller-retour
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Sache que si tu "sors de la voiture" ça va être long.
Il faut trouver une place sur le parking à l'entrée, attendre la navette (il y a du monde), pour aller au bout du parccompte 3/4 h (donc 1h30 AR), et là tu ne t'ai pas encore baladé 😉.
Bref soit la voiture soit 4/5h minimum, et dans ce cas tu peux viser Emerald Pool. Mais tu ne sera pas toute seule
Difficile de répondre à la question. Pour une visite, il n'y à pas vraiment de minimum ni de maximum.
A Zion, on peut très bien y passer quelques heures comme quelques jours. Y faire un A/R en bus ou une randonnée fameuse ou il ne faut pas souffrir du vertige ou une autre ou on se retrouve dans l'eau jusqu'au genous ou à la taille.
Le minimum serait de faire l'aller-retour en bus et la randonnée Riverside Walk pour se donner une idée des belles ballades qu'on a raté si on avait passé plus de temps dans le parc (mais il faut faire des choix sur son itinéraire).
Pour mieux voir tout ce qu'il est possible de faire, il faut aller sur OuestUsa (lien donné au dessus) ou sur le site des parcs nationnaux américains : http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm.
Bonjour ,
Je reviens sur se sujet ( ce qui permettra de ne pas ouvrir un nouveau sujet)
Je vais aussi passer par zion ou je compte rester environ 6h30.
Je souhaite pas faire toute les randonnées ou explorer des recoins perdu mais juste l'essentiel de zion .
Donc si j'ai bien compris je gare ma voiture , je prend une navette et j'arrive dans zion (temps total :entre 1h30 et 2h30).
Je fait la randonnée : Riverside Walk (2 miles (aller-retour), 1 heure 30 minutes)
Cette randonnée très facile et bien aménagée part de Temple of Sinawava et mène jusqu'aux Narrows, en longeant la Virgin River. Très reposant et agréable.
au total on est à environ 3h30 . + 1h30 pour le retour soit 5h00 au total pour la journée .
Et en faisant cela j'aurai quand meme pu voir zion (du moin le meilleur ).
si quelqu'un a fait un petit parcour comme moi et qu'il a un retour à se sujet pourriez vous me dire comment vous vous etes organisé ? merci🙂
C'est malheureusement le parc ou j'ai passé le moins de temps, donc j'ai peu d'expérience.
Je n'ai fait que Riverside Walk, la partie en boucle d'Emerald pools trail et la petite ballade "Canyon overlook trail" après le tunnel (lorsqu'on vient de LV et qu'on va vers Bryce, avant si on vient dans l'autre sens).
Pour te donner une idée, nous sommes partie de LV le matin, et nous sommes arrivé au motel pres de Panguitch (vers Bryce Canyon) assez tard le soir, ça nous a donc pris environ le temps que tu comptes y passer.
merci ,
voila j'ai mijotté un ptit truc en fonction de ce que j'a trouvé sur le net :
Arrivée à Zion.
Il faut trouver une place sur le parking à l'entrée, attendre la navette.
Ensuite à Springdale , au Visitor Center et au départ de la navette .
Prendre les navettes pour faire le début d'angel's landing (1h30 monté et 45 minute descente).
Ou alors aussi faire l'aller-retour en bus et la randonnée Riverside Walk pour se donner une idée des belles ballades.
En disposant de 3 ou 4 heures (au moins), prendre la navette jusqu' à Weeping Rock et faire le début de la randonnée en direction d' Observation Point : on prend rapidement de la hauteur avec des vues sur le Canyon , et on débouche sur une gorge superbe étroite et très colorée , avec des passages un peu "les pieds dans l' eau" , assez agréable en plein été .
Je pense qu'en gros je fait faire la navette jusqu'au bout puis une ptite rando sur angel's landing . et pour le reste je verrai sur place😛
Mais j'espere je vais trouver le parking et les navettes car j'ai regardé des plans sur le net mais je voit pas vraiment ou est le parking pour les voitures...
merci moi je pense juste la route dans zion pour me rendre a bryce
donc sur la route il ya le canyon overlook trail puis apres le paysage tout le long de la route
comme on ne reste pas bien longtemp
on ne fera que overlook !
merci pour les lien et la video !!!
Canyon Overlook ne donne pas une idée du parc en lui même car tu n'es pas à la même "hauteur" (plutôt aussi bas, au fond du canyon), vu que la ballade est à flanc de montagne, et que la hauteur est loin d'être la même.
Je te conseille quand même de prendre la navette, d'aller jusqu'au bout et de revenir avec pour voir au moins un minimum.
merci bien !
mais je ne pense pas avoir le temp
soit on passe par zion pour prendre la route pour bryce
soit on passe par lautre route ( sans zion ) pour rejoidnre bryce canyon
Je ne suis pas du même avis que Cpar qd il dit " Je te conseille quand même de prendre la navette, d'aller jusqu'au bout et de revenir avec pour voir au moins un minimum."
Prendre cette navette jusqu'au bout en aller-retour prend 1h30.... et ne permet de voir aucun point de vue (même si vs descendez à qq arrêts). Pour moi, cela ne sert à rien... c'est du temps perdu.
Si vs êtes pressés, faites la route 9 qui traverse le parc d'Est en Ouest. Elle est splendide... Et faites, comme prévu, la petite rando Canyon Overlook trail (le point de vue est *** , hyper facile à atteindre, et ne demande que 1heure)
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
" Arrivée à Zion.
Il faut trouver une place sur le parking à l'entrée, attendre la navette.
Ensuite à Springdale , au Visitor Center et au départ de la navette . "
Plutôt que de vs garez à Springdale, allez directement vs garez au parking du Visitor Center. C'est de là que partent les navettes qui pénètrent ds la scenic drive.
Si vs vs garez à Springdale, il faudra prendre un autre système de shuttle qui vous amènera de Springdale au visitor center de Zion http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/upload/Springdale%20Shuttle%20Parking%20Map.pdf
Petite remarque: Si vs arrivez de l'Est (de Bryce Canyon) , on peut éviter d'aller jusqu'au visitor center pour se garer. En effet, il y a qq places de parking à Canyon Junction (voir la carte http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/upload/Zion-Canyon-Map-Website.pdf).
" faire l'aller-retour en bus et la randonnée Riverside Walk pour se donner une idée des belles ballades. "
Comme je viens de le dire ci-dessus, faire l'aller-retour en navette prend 1h30... et vs ne verrez pas grand chose...
" En disposant de 3 ou 4 heures (au moins), prendre la navette jusqu' à Weeping Rock et faire le début de la randonnée en direction d' Observation Point : on prend rapidement de la hauteur avec des vues sur le Canyon , et on débouche sur une gorge superbe étroite et très colorée... puis une ptite rando sur angel's landing"
En disposant de 4 heures, vs n'aurez jamais le temps de faire tout ce programme.
Comptez:
- +/- 1h de navette A-R pour aller jusqu' à Weeping Rock
- +/- 1h30 de rando A-R jusqu' à Echo Canyon (sur le chemin de Observation Point)
- +/- 4h pour Angel's Landing
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 moi je pense juste la route dans zion pour me rendre a bryce
donc sur la route il ya le canyon overlook trail puis apres le paysage tout le long de la route
comme on ne reste pas bien longtemp
on ne fera que overlook !
merci pour les lien et la video !!!
D'où partiras tu le matin pour faire la route vers Bryce ?
" Fais de ta vie un rêve, et d'un rêve, une réalité" St Exupéry
on va partir de las vegas je pense vers 4 h du mat , histoire detre tt l'apres midi a bryce canyon
zion ca sera pour un prochain coup
ou alors je passe par zion ou alors par l'autre route qui mene a bryce
Je vous conseille plutôt de partir de LV vers 5h30 et d'arrêter faire la randonnée de White Dome à Valley of fire. Cette petite rando est très sympa. Voir mon carnet de voyage ICI.
Rejoignez ensuite directement Bryce Canyon.
Passer dans Zion par la route ne vous donnera pas grand chose. Zion est un parc auquel il faut consacrer au moins une journée pour faire soit la randonnées des narrows, soir la randonnée de Angel's landing. Comme ce sont des randos fatigantes il faut se reposer l'après midi.
Vous comptez faire Bryce l'après midi !!... pour moi vous ne l'apprécierez pas ... ou bien moins que si vous faite la rando le lendemain matin à la fraiche (si l'on peut dire). C'est magnifique et il y a peu de monde. L'après midi c'est un four rempli de foule ! En partant vers 8h du matin vous pouvez faire Queen's garden, Peek a boo et navajo trail en étant rendu vers 12h30.
Bonnes balades 😉
" Fais de ta vie un rêve, et d'un rêve, une réalité" St Exupéry
en fait en mars dernier
je suis allee a la valley of fire cest magnifique comme parc !
mais je ne pense pas y repartir en mars prochain
car il y a autres choses a voir dans ce coin
donc la route de zion me branche plus ou alors la deuxieme route peu etre importe
en mars dernier le voyage a eté de 15 jours
la en mars prochain il sera de 20 jours
Je voudrais savoir combien de temps vous resteriez à Yosémite, si vous étiez là bas fin juillet, avec 4 personnes peu sportives (mais de bonne volonté!). A…
Durant notre Tour du Monde nous désirons passer du Mexique au Canada par la route, en passant par les USA. Notre but n'est pas de visiter l'ouest américain de…
Lors de mon périple en juin prochain j'aurai peut être l'occasion en passant par la scenic byway 12 d'aller à peekaboo et spooky gulch slot canyons. Mais…
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?