Avides de grands espaces, je voulais savoir si quelqu'un a déja visité le montana, quels sont les plus beaux coins de cet état, car je projette un voyage en juillet 2011, avec Yellowstone et grand teton, en remontant vers le nord et glacier national park au Montana, en sachant que j'ai à peu prés 2 semaines 1/2 devant moi.
je projette un voyage en juillet 2011, avec Yellowstone et grand teton, en remontant vers le nord et glacier national park au Montana, en sachant que j'ai à peu prés 2 semaines 1/2 devant moi.
Très bonne idée que de visiter Glacier National Park où nous avons passé trois jours cet été.
Quelques idées de ce qu'il est possible de faire à Glacier ici.
En 2 semaines 1/2, Yellowstone, Grand Teton et Glacier te prendront déjà pas mal de temps puisqu'il faut prévoir 3 à 5 jours mini pour Yellowstone, 1 à 2 jours pour Grand Teton et au moins 3 jours pour Glacier.
Côté canadien, tu as aussi Waterton Lakes NP jumelé avec Glacier.
Trés belles photos krikri, magnifique.
Par contre j'aimerais savoir si quelqu'un à visité d'autres sites du Montana, y a t'il des choses à voir plus à l'est? J'aimerais également assister à un pow wow, un peu un de mes rêves, car assez friand de culture indienne
J'ai visite l'etat 3 fois. La 1ere fois a velo de Yellowstone a Glacier en passant par l'ouest, Ennis, Virginia City, Dillon, Chief Joseph Pass, Missoula (ville agreable), vallee Swan a l'est de Lac Flathead, et puis Glacier. Une belle route avec tres peu de circulation avant Missoula. Et puis en voiture en venant de Theodore Roosevelt NP en Dakota du Nord (le parc est joli, mais les badlands sont moins dramatiques que ceux de Badlands NP en Dakota du Sud). Nous etions seulement dans le sud-est de l'etat. Le paysage au bord de la riviere Missouri etait assez joli, et puis les routes 59 et 212 vers Devils Tower en Wyoming assez jolies aussi. La derniere fois etait en voiture entre Yellowstone et Glacier et le nord-ouest de Montana. J'ai passe par Bozeman (ville agreable) et Helena et la vallee Swan. Apres Glacier, je suis alle vers l'ouest et la frontiere d'Idaho. J'aimais beaucoup les petites routes dans le nord-ouest de Montana. Ce sont des montagnes moyennes, boisees, mais presque personne y vit et les routes sont vides.
En general, l'ouest de l'etat est plus vert que l'est parce que moins de neige/pluie tombe a l'est des montagnes. De plus, il fait plus froid en hiver dans l'est de l'etat. Donc le paysage est different entre les 2 parties de l'etat.
Pour l'est de cette région, personnellement, je ne connais pas mais je suis sûre que tu trouveras quelques spécialistes sur ce forum qui pourront te conseiller efficacement.
@ CanadaGoose, Néfer et Dalls : merci pour vos compliments... en provenance du Canada !
L'est du Montana ne concentre guère de points d'intéret comparables à l'ouest de la ligne Glacier / Great falls / Héléna et un petit crochet sur Billing (amateur de culture "amérindienne" j'imagine que tu feras le secteur de Big Horn).
Pour en revenir à l'est, éventuellement la route numéro 2 à partir de Havre jusqu'aux Théodore Roosevelt National Parks (y'en a deux dans le North dakota) avec laquelle tu traverses pas mal de "réservations" (j'aime pas bien ce mot, mais bon) et tu as le wild life range qui porte le nom de peintre "western" Russell autour du Fort Peck lake.
Mais si ton temps est limité, profite déjà des grands classiques du coin, rien que Glacier est un petit bijou, et le Montana, c'est bien bien grand, tu risques vite de passer pas mal de temps en voiture.
Le Montana est un Etat magnifique même en dehors de Glacier Park. A l'est, moins spectaculaire effectivement, la plaine (et les Blackeet; tu peux visiter le petit musée mais attention, il ferme à 16 h 30!: http://www.blackfeetcountry.com/museum.html).
Mais tout ce qui est à l'ouest de Glacier (la plus belle partie) est splendide par la variété des paysages, jamais les mêmes. Par moments, des collines toutes nues et dorées (en août) avec un arbre tout rond piqué au milieu, qu'on dirait dessinées par un enfant, ou alors des montagnes au relief bizarrement tourmenté, des forêts rouge sombre, des vallées profondes à l'écart du monde, comme la belle Yaak Valley, à partir de Libby. C'est là qu'habite l'excellent "écrivain du Montana" Rick Bass:
Tu peux lire son journal, Winter, aux éditions Hoëbeke, bourré d'humour, dans lequel il décrit sa vie en hiver dans cette vallée perdue.
Et puis Butte, Helena, Missoula, sans oublier la Beartooth Hwy, considérée comme la plus belle route du Montana, sinon d'Amérique du Nord, qui part de Yellowstone NP, au Wyoming:
sans oublier la Beartooth Hwy, considérée comme la plus belle route du Montana,
Comme elle est à mon programme (2012 😉), y a-t-il un sens préférentiel pour la faire ?
Je pense la faire en quittant le parc de Yellowstone en allant "vers" Cody.
as tu exploré la question des ghost towns (gold west country) ? je viens de voir ça sur les sites internet du montana, ça paraît pas mal (mais un peu trop touristique ?)
Voyageurs éclairés (krikri notamment) pensez vous que je puisse faire une croix sur glacier pour passer un peu de temps vers virignia city et bannack state park (sachant que j'aurai fait juste avant un circuit vancouver-ile de vancouver- rocheuses canadiennes ce qui pourrait justifier de consacrer un peu de temps à autre chose que la "grande "montagne", et sachant aussi que j'ai deux ados qui pourraient apprécier les villes du gold rush
Voyageurs éclairés (krikri notamment) pensez vous que je puisse faire une croix sur glacier pour passer un peu de temps vers virignia city et bannack state park
Désolée, mais je n'ai aucune idée : les ghost towns ne font pas partie de mes centres d'intérêt. Personnellement, je trouverais dommage de faire une croix sur Glacier (Montana) qui est un parc superbe. Mais cela est très personnel !
Bonjour
Il ne faut pas zapper Glacier, très beau parc pour les randos.
Comme ghost town, ns avons préféré Bannack SP, inhabité, à Virginia city, trop touristique .
Je n'ai pas de carte ss les yeux, mais il faut voir si c'est possible de voir Glacier et Bannack.
Noëlle
merci pour vos conseils, krikri et noelle, je vois que glacier semble vraiment incontournable. Concernant les kilomètres , c'est toujours faisable mais ça prend un peu de temps d'où les choix à faire
J'ai vécu aux USA et je connais 42 états. J'ai fait de très nombreux voyages dans l'ouest (je suis allée 8 fois au Grand Canyon car chaque fois que j'étais avec des amis, ils voulaient y aller). Je connais extrêmement bien le Colorado, l'Utah mais pas les Uintah Mountains, le Wyoming, la Californie... Cette année, du 2 au 25 juillet, j'ai loué un Ford Explorer à Salt Lake pour voyager en particulier dans le Montana (je connais le Glacier Park et je ne vais pas y retourner). Je voudrais en connaître plus sur cet état et construire un itinéraire intéressant hors des routes surfréquentées par le touristes qui visitent toujours les mêmes sites car le Américains en règle générale ont très peu de vacances, se contentent de visiter les valeurs "sures": Yellowstone, Bryce...et de manière générale ils sont très peu curieux. Par exemple, ils se rendent à Yellowstone mais toujours par les mêmes routes, moi, je veux y aller en passant à nouveau par Atlantic City(pourquoi ce nom?), une ancienne ville minière des chercheurs d'or qui avait connu la prospérité à la fin du siècle dernier mais où ne survivent maintenant que quelques originaux qui compent toujours faire fortune en cherchant les pépites de la rivière). En voyageant aux USA je suis autant intéressée par l'aventure humaine que par les paysages
Jared Diamond, dans son livre: "Effondrement"consacre son premier chapitre au Montana qui n'est plus ce que l'on imagine. Cela rend la visite d'autant plus intéressante. J'ai envie aussi de voir en Idaho le canyon de la Snake River. Mais pour construire l'itinéraire entre ces différents points, ce n'est pas évident, je suis avide de recueillir le plus de renseignements possible
Voici l'itinéraire que j'ai concocté minutieusement, mais tout ne seras jamais parfait, en sachant que je pars sur 3 semaines
1-Salt Lake City
2-Salt Lake-Pocatello (avec visite de craters of the moon)
3-Pocatello-Jackson
4-Jackson
5-Jackson-Yellowstone
6-Yellowstone
7-Yellowstone
8-Yellowstone-Virginia City-Missoula
9-Missoula-Whitefish
10-Whitefish-Browning(logement dans un tipis et pow pow)
11-Browning
12-Browning
13-Browning-Helena
14-Helena-Red Lodge
15-Red Lodge-Cody
16-Cody-Riverton
17-Riverton-Rock Springs
18-Rock Springs-Salt Lake City
Il me reste 1 jour à placer, et j'hésite entre Red Lodge dans le Montana ou alors Cody (wyoming)
Bonjour,
Avez vous effectué ce circuit en 2010 ?
Quelles sont vos impressions à votre retour ?
J'ai l'intention d'y aller en 2011 et suis en train de préparer mon circuit sur une durée équivalente . Merci de vous cosneils
Arnaud
Finalement en juillet dernier, je n'ai été que très peu au Montana: la route de Cook City à Redlodge, ensuite descente sut Cody. C'est un itinéraire fabuleux. J'ai fait 5000kms mais principalement en Utah et au Wyoming. En dehors de Grand Teton (dont je ne me lasse pas et où il y a des randos extraordinaires) et de Yellowstone (trop de monde, je n'y ai passé qu'une journée, seul le grand canyon de Yellowstone vaut pour moi vraiment la peine). J'avais loué un 4x4 à partir de Salt Lake City et comme je connais très bien l'ouest américain, mon objectif était de sortir des sentiers battus. J'ai fait le Timpanogos près de Salt Kake City en couchant à Herbert City, j'ai exploré les Uintas Mountains (20 sommets de plus de 4000m mais très difficiles d'accès). Le Montana sera pour une prochaine fois.
Pour le Montana, on a avait acheté voilà bien 5 ans le guide "Scenic Driving Montana", on a fait plusieurs des routes suggérées au fil des ans et ce n'est pas fini. Et c'est toujours un enchantement de découvrir ces coins perdus... au bout du monde.
Le ciel est vraiment immense au Montana.
"I go to Paris. I go to London. I go to Rome, and I always say: "There's no place like New York." That's the way it is. That's it."
(Robert De Niro)
Bonjour,
Avez vous effectué ce circuit en 2010 ?
Quelles sont vos impressions à votre retour ?
J'ai l'intention d'y aller en 2011 et suis en train de préparer mon circuit sur une durée équivalente . Merci de vous cosneils
Arnaud
Eh non malheureusement je n'ai pas pu faire ce circuit, il va falloir que je pousse jusqu'à l'année prochaine, car des évènements inattendus on fait en sorte que je ne puisse partir, et je vais me contenter de la créte cette année!!
Mais quand on vois la belle photo de Mousseline, tu n'as qu'une envie, partir !!!
Après avoir visité plusieurs parcs américains (dont Yellowstone et Grand Teton), j'envisage visiter le Glacier National Park. Si je me fis aux commentaires que…
En août, je fais un arrêt à Missoula, au Montana avec ma famille (mon mari et mes 3 enfants de 10, 12 et 14 ans) et je me demande si la visite des «Ghost Town»…
pour y voir et y faire quoi, exactement? Bonjour à tous, Ceci aurait pu être un message privé à Mousseliine, mais voilà, j'ai décidé de faire appel à l'équipe…
J aurai besoin de petits renseignements pour visiter l université columbia qui se trouve à Harlem.est il intéressant de la visiter 1 dimanche? Faut il payer…
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?
