Je suis en famille avec ma femme et mes 2 filles de 15 et 17 ans et dans mon circuit de 15 jours entre Las vegas et Grand canyon, j'ai prévu 2 jours entre Bryce canyon que je quitte le matin du 4 aôut et Moab où j'ai réservé 3 nuits d'hôtel à partir du 7 aôut.Finalement je ne sais pas trop que visiter exactement entre ces 2 jours( je serais en voiture non 4x4) et je me demande si je ne dois pas retirer une des 2 journées et décaler mes 3 jours à Moab, pour la récupérer afin d'aller à Mesa Verde après Moab.(J'y suis déjà allé 2 fois il y a 20 ans et j'hésitais à y retourner vu les nouvelles conditions de visite).Que me conseillez-vous?
Je comprends pas trop ... Déjà entre le 4 et le 7, moi ça me fait 3 jours et pas 2 ... et pourquoi avoir réserver Moab à cette date sans savoir ton programme entre les 2 🤪
Sans 4x4, tu peux faire Kodachrome Park juste après Bryce ( 1 matinée ) puis passer par Devil's Garden ( 2h00 en gros ) puis Burr Trail ( 2h00 aussi juste l'AR sur route goudronnée ). Le soir tu dors à Torrey.
Le lendemain, tu fais Capitol Reef et re-dodo à Torrey ... Ca comble 2 jours en tout cas.
Effectivement c'est entre le 5 aôut (et non le 4 aôut, meculpa) et le 7 août que j'ai ces 2 jours!
En fait au départ je pensais faire Escalante State Park, mais sans 4X4 je me suis rendu compte un peu tard ( car j'avais fait des réservations ) que je ne pouvais pas faire grand chose. D'où mon message.
Merci de tes conseils qui me semblent judicieux.
Bonjour,
Je ne sais pas si tu peux "faire" Escalante NM, mais la route 12, après le Kodachrome Basin SP (que je recommande moi aussi) elle traverse Escalante de part en part !!
Ensuite pour compléter, à Boulder le musée Anasazi vaut bien un arrêt ; puis dans Capitol Reef, outre la cueillette des fruits, il y a aussi une route bien carrossable jusqu'au fond de la gorge : superbe !
Après quoi, sur la route 24 il y a aussi le Goblin Valley SP, avec des rochers très peu courants.
En fait 2 jours pour le parcours Bryce-Moab, ça peut être bien court !!
Si vous ne réussissez jamais rien du premier coup, n'essayez pas le parachutisme !
Sans avoir de SUV, on peut tout de même trouver beaucoup de choses à faire: attention toutefois à ne pas confondre escalante petrified forest state park et grand staircase escalante national monument.
Tu trouveras le détail des randos sur mon site www.ouestusa.fr
en partant de Bryce: mossy cave= petite rando de 1H à proximité de Canonville: Kodachrome basin = panorama trail prend environ 3h
route vers Escalante fin de journée à Devils garden -> les 14 miles sur la Hole in the rock road sont normalement faisable avec un véhicule classique. Sinon, vous pouvez aller à Escalante petrified forest state park le lendemain: soit faire un passage rapide à Capitol reef: faire cohab canyon trail chimney rock trail puis arrêt le long de l'US24 pour se rafaichir dans la cascade proche de la route soit faire Lower calf creek falls le matin puis route vers Moab avec passage par Capitol reef ou vous pourrez faire Cohab canyon trail par exemple avant d'aller vers Moab
Ce ne sont que des exemples mais sur le site tu verras l'ensemble des centres d'interêt sur la carte (http://www.ouestusa.fr/utah-acceuil.htm) et tu pourras faire ton choix 😉
Envie de découvrir l'ouest autrement, de sortir des sentiers battus: c'est maintenant sur www.ouestusa.fr où vous attendent itinéraires, cartes topo, photos, moteur de recherche et de nombreux renseignements
Bonjour, j'ai regardé ton remarquable site qui donne envie de tout voir!
En fait je n'ai pas bien expliqué mon problème dans mon 1er message: j'ai fait un circuit en m'inspirant du "grand circle adventure" que j'avais fait avec ma femme et nous y retournons donc 22 ans plus tard avec nos deux filles. Ce circuit classique que je fais en voiture de tourisme de Las vegas au Grand canyon me pose des problèmes pour les jours suivants: le 5août matin je pars de Bryce que j'aurai visité la veille et où j'ai réservé la nuit. Je compte passer par Capitol Reef et aller à Moab où j'ai réservé 3 nuits le 7, 8 et 9 août.Donc finalement j'ai 3 jours jusqu'à ma 1ère nuit à Moab+ 2 jours entiers à Moab d'où je repars le 10 au matin pour aller à Monument Valley.
A Moab j'aimerai voir Island in the sky, Arches (évidemment) et si c'est possible au moins aller jusqu'à Needles Overlook ou the Needles + éventuellement la scenic Byway 128 .
C'est probablement pas très clair ce que j'ai dit donc en résumé :
J1: Départ de Bryce vers Escalante ou Torrey, quoi faire où dormir? (Mossy cave, Kodachrome, Devils garden, Burr Trail (partie goudronné) dormir à Torrey?
J2: quoi voir? où dormir? (Capitol Reef, Lower calf creek falls, dormir au camping de Capitol Reef ou à Torrey?)
J3: quoi voir? je dors à Moab où j'ai réservé ma 1ère nuit ( Goblin valley + Little wild horse canyon puis aller à Moab et commencer à visiter Arches(delicate arche)?
J4: 2ème nuit à Moab. Faire?
J5: 3ème nuit à Moab. Faire?
J6: matin départ pour Monument Valley.
Quand je regarde ton site il y a tellement de choses à faire dans ces endroits que j'ai du mal à goupiller tout ça au mieux.Que me conseilles-tu?
Il y a effectivement beaucoup de choses à faire mais il ne faut surtout pas essayer de tout faire -> voyez d'après nos descriptions à moi et philippe + les photos et la difficulté (+ sites accessibles par la route) quelle est à priori les sites qui vous attirent le plus. C'est à vous de faire le choix car un choix est subjectif et ce qui me plaira ne vous touchera pas forcément...
Envie de découvrir l'ouest autrement, de sortir des sentiers battus: c'est maintenant sur www.ouestusa.fr où vous attendent itinéraires, cartes topo, photos, moteur de recherche et de nombreux renseignements
cette petite cascade est située sur la droite de la route US24 en allant vers Torrey. Il y a un parking sur la droite et impossible de louper l'endroit qui est souvent bondé, source d'eau fraiche oblige
Envie de découvrir l'ouest autrement, de sortir des sentiers battus: c'est maintenant sur www.ouestusa.fr où vous attendent itinéraires, cartes topo, photos, moteur de recherche et de nombreux renseignements
Bonjour,
combien de temps faut-il pour faire l'aller-retour sur la partie goudronnée praticable sans 4x4 de la Burr trail road depuis Boulder ( combien de KM?) et y-a-t-il des randonnées intéressantes à faire sur cette partie ou est-ce juste des points de vue?
Dans la journée ai-je le temps de voir Kodachrome, Hole in the rock jusqu'à devil's garden + cette partie du Burr trail puis dormir à Torrey et voir Capitol Reef le lendemain ou bien je n'ai le temps de voir que Kodachrome, Devil's garden et dormir à Boulder pour faire la Burr Trail le lendemain matin puis aller à Capitol Reef le restant de la journée? Je n'arrive pas trop à voir le timming afin de réserver la nuit soit à Torrey soit à Boulder suivant le cas.Ou alors je supprime la Burr Trail? Qu'en penses-tu?
La partie goudronnée fait environ 20 miles donc environ 1h A/R de route pure mais sans grand chose à y faire (pas de rando à ma connaissance ni de véritables points de vue). pour ma part, la partie piste est bien plus intéressante et mène entre autre à Upper muley twist canyon et strike valley overlook, point de vue grandiose et quitte à choisir une belle route, route je préfère l'US95 dans sa partie Glen Canyon
Pour le timing, tout dépend du temps que vous comptez passer à Kodachrome. Pour bien en profiter, il faut faire panorama trail donc 3h/3H30 environ + 1h de route jusque Escalante, 2h A/R pour devil's garden (bien que le milieu de la journée ne soit pas du tout le meilleur moment pour la visite) + 1h30 de route jusqu'à Torrey donc c'est faisable
Envie de découvrir l'ouest autrement, de sortir des sentiers battus: c'est maintenant sur www.ouestusa.fr où vous attendent itinéraires, cartes topo, photos, moteur de recherche et de nombreux renseignements
tu as l'air de très bien connaitre l'ouest peux-tu me dire si tu connais autour de moab la partie la plus belle à descendre sur l'eau , en gros il y a 3 propositions : le nord de moab, le sud partie calme de canyonland et westwater canyon . merci de me répondre , sais tu ou l' on peut se procurer les cartes de bryce canion , canyonland, arches avant de partir ? jo
merci pour les sites un autre renseignement svp pour canyonland island in the sky combien detemps faut-il de moab ? et la visite est-elle mieux avec son véhicule ou est ce mieux d'y aller avec un 4 4 avec un des organisme de moab ( mieux au niveau de tout ce que l'on peut voir merci pour ta réponse
Si l'on parle d'Island in the Sky exclusivement ( c'est à dire la partie haute du park ) un véhicule normal suffit , toutes les voies d'accés sont des routes goudronnées . Pour les distances un oeil sur Map Google : pour un aller retour depuis Moab avec sur le chemin Dead Horse Point State Park ( coucher de soleil ++ ) ça donne : http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Moab, +UT, +USA&daddr=Grand+View+Point+Rd+to:Upheaval+Dome+Rd+to:Green+River+Overlook+Rd+to:UT-313+W+to:Moab&hl=fr&geocode=FQSVTAId8WZ4-SmNLbia5eFHhzEtxNXxerEyCw%3BFXGaSAIdU7hz-Q%3BFUFYSgIdM65y-Q%3BFcShSQIdWD1z-Q%3BFTYESwIdCH91-Q%3B&mra=ls&sll=38.484501, -109.734535&sspn=0.236226, 0.398254&ie=UTF8&z=11
Ensuite si tu as un vrai 4x4 (c'est plus sûr) et si la météo n'est pas pluvieuse , il y a la possibilité de faire Potash Road , Musselman Arch et la remontée vers Island In the Sky par le Shafer Trail , ça donne : http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Moab, +UT, +USA&daddr=Potash+Rd+to:Co+Rd+142%2FS+Fork+Rd+to:S+Fork+Spu+to:Co+Rd+142%2FS+Fork+Rd&hl=fr&geocode=FQSVTAId8WZ4-SmNLbia5eFHhzEtxNXxerEyCw%3BFfxRSwIdKIZ2-Q%3BFZ7YSgId86x0-Q%3BFdmBSgIdvwp1-Q%3BFQYHSwIdJml0-Q&mra=ls&sll=38.437186, -109.752388&sspn=0.236381, 0.398254&ie=UTF8&ll=38.522115, -109.685097&spn=0.236103, 0.398254&z=12
Jusqu'à B route goudronnée , C bifurcation pour aller vers D Musselman Arch , E fin de la Shafer Trail et arrivée sur la route qui conduite vers Island in the Sky. Ce trajet A à E se fait en environ 3h sans se presser, temps auquel tu rajoutes les temps de pauses pour photos, vues , .... C'est à faire pour apprécier un peu plus la démesure de ce park qu'est Canyonlands.
Un autre moyen de l'appréhender dans sa globalité est un vol avion (budget conséquent mais selon moi le vol à faire dans le sud-ouets des USA , exemple le Grand Tour chez RedTail http://www.moab-utah.com/redtail/ )
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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?
