Pouvez-vous me donner votre avis sur cette ébauche d'itinéraire comprennant surtout Yellowstone et la Californie?
Je précise que je me déplace en fauteuil roulant électrique (puissant, je peux monter des pentes à + de 15%), je loue donc une voiture accessible chez www.wheelchairgetaways.com, entreprise compétente mais les prix de location sont assez onéreux.
J'avais déjà réalisé un circuit Las Vegas-Las Vegas (GC, powell, MV, chelly, mesa verde, silverton, moab, capitol reef, brice, zion, valley of fire) en juillet 2010 grâce à votre aide sur VF, tout c'étais super bien passé.
J1: Vol Paris - SALT Lake City (à l'arrivée: récupération voiture à l'aéroport + nuit à SLC)
J2: Visite rapide de SLC, Park City? Antelope Island? Où passer la nuit?
J3: Route jusqu'à Jackson Hole (visite + nuit dans le village)
J4: Visite Grand Teton (connaissez-vous une marche facile que je pourrais faire en fauteuil)? Nuit? Au sud de Yellowstone?
J5: Yellowstone (Où passer les 4 nuits? J'ai une préférence pour 4 nuits à West Yellowstone (moins de perte de temps que de changer d'hotel chaque nuit? ça n'augmente pas trop les kms?) OU 1 nuit proche lake yellowstone, 1 à Old Faithful, 1 à Gardiner, 1 à West yellowstone)
Est-ce suffisant 4 jours pleins à yellowstone?
J6: Yellowstone
J7: Yellowstone
J8: Yellowstone (peut-on pêcher près de West Yellowstone?)
J9: Route de West Yellowstone -> Twin Falls (passage par Craters of the Moon? et Shoshone Falls) Nuit à Twin Falls (étape pas trop longue?)
J10: Route de Twin Falls jusqu'à Reno ou Virginia City? Nuit soit reno soit Virginia (étape longue: env. 750 kms)
Je passe par là pour passer par Lake Tahoe, du coup je zappe Death Valley, est-ce embêtant pour vous? Soit Tahoe, soit Death Valley: je dois faire un choix car faire les 2, rajouterai bcp + de km à mon itinéraire.
J11: Virginia City si nuit à Reno à J10 -> Lake Tahoe avec Emerald Bay -> Bodie -> Mono Lake (Nuit à Lee Vining? ou dans Yosemite?) Selon vous, à J11, je pourrais arriver à Yosemite ou journée trop speed avec les visites que j'ai prévu?
J12: Yosemite (Connaissez-vous une marche facile que je pourrais faire en fauteuil)? Nuit? Dans le parc?
J13: Yosemite
J14: Sequoia (Nuit?)
1 journée suffit-il pour visiter Sequoia?
2 options s'offrent à moi: de Sequoia, faut-il mieux rejoindre Los Angeles ou San Francisco?
1ere option
J16+17+18: Los Angeles (Beverley Hills-Hollywood blv, Universal Studio, Downtown, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu etc…)
J19+20+ 21.5: Côte Pacific (Santa Barbara, big sur, carmel, monterey (promenade bâteau pour aller voir baleines et dauphins))
J21.5+22+23+24: San Francisco + Sausalito
J25: Retour SF -> Paris
2e option: Tout l'inverse: SF -> Côte Pacific -> Los Angeles
Dites moi si je dois rajouter ou retirer des journées?
Je pensais également prendre un vol interne: SLC -> Los Angeles en faisant 2 boucles: SLC -> Yellowstone -> SLC et Californie (L.A -> L.A) pour retirer cette longue étape: West Yellowstone -> Reno et avoir un prix de location moins élevé. Mais reprendre l'avion peut engendrer un risque supplémentaire de détériorer mon fauteuil, donc j'hésite.
Je ne peux donner mon avis que sur Yellowstone. Il me semble préférable de ne pas passer toutes les nuits au même endroit. On fait beaucoup de km dans le parc pour aller d'un point à l'autre.
Nous, nous avons passé deux nuits à Lake Yellowstone (sympa de pouvoir du coup passer à Hayden Valley le matin quand il y a plein de bisons sur la route et le soir), une à Mammoth hot Springs et une à West yellowstone. Dans l'absolu, une nuit à Old Faithful nous aurait évité pas mal de route mais, c'est sûr que c'est agréable aussi de se poser au moins deux nuits au même endroit. En tout cas, en 4 jours, nous avons eu le temps de faire tout ce que nous voulions.
Bons préparatifs
J2: Visite rapide de SLC, Park City? Antelope Island? Où passer la nuit?
Salt Lake City peut se visiter en une demi-journée. Tu passes l'autre demi-journée à Antelope Island. Tu pourras dormir par exemple du côté de Ogden/ Brigham City pour te rapprocher un peu de Grand Teton.
4: Visite Grand Teton (connaissez-vous une marche facile que je pourrais faire en fauteuil)? Nuit? Au sud de Yellowstone?
Essaye de loger à Colter Bay Village dans les cabines. C'est cher mais au cœur du parc en direction du Yellowstone.
Pour des visites faciles tu peux envisager: tous les arrêts 'points de vue" sur les deux routes du parc (la principale et Teton Park Road): mes favoris sont Snake River Overlook et Oxbow Bend
Un petit arrêt à Chapel Of Transfiguration et à Chapel Of The Sacred Heart. Un petit tour à Mormon Row.
Monter à Signal Mountain: super point de vue sur les Teton et Jackson Lake.
Niveau marches: il y en a pas mal d'accessibles autour de Colter Bay dont une qui fait une petite boucle autour du Lac.
J5: Yellowstone (Où passer les 4 nuits?
Je confirme ta bonne idée de loger à West Yellowstone, pratique pour rayonner dans le Parc.
Pour t'aider tu peux consulter mon blog page Yellowstone. D'une manière générale, tous les bassins de geysers sont facilement accessibles (Upper Geyser, Lower, Grand Prismatic, Mammoth Hot Springs...). Tu pourras aussi facilement bien profiter du Grand Canyon de la Yellowstone River à divers points de vue. Et pourquoi pas essayer Brink Of The Lower Falls?
Craters Of The Moon, je n'y suis pas allé mais ça a l'air de valoir le coup. Regarde le blog de Max68.
Ton J10 me fait un peu peur mais je ne connais pas cette section... Lake Tahoe est sympa pour une étape 😉 cependant.
J11: si tu te contentes d'Emerald Bay (comme nous) à Lake Tahoe, c'est du rapide. Mais je pense que pour ne pas gâcher Tioga Pass, tu dois loger à Lee Vining ce soir-là (tu visites Bodie, nous on ne l'avait pas fait 😛)
J12: Yosemite (Connaissez-vous une marche facile que je pourrais faire en fauteuil)? Nuit? Dans le parc?
Tu peux faire Glacier Point, Lower Yosemite Falls (chemin goudronné). La partie basse de Mariposa Grove pour voir les séquoias géants. Tu peux essayer de faire le début de Mist Fall jusqu'au pont qui te permet de voir Vernal Falls. Le chemin est goudronné jusque là mais ça monte pas mal.
J14: Sequoia (Nuit?)
1 journée suffit-il pour visiter Sequoia?
Sans faire de grosses balades, oui. Tu peux faire Big Tree Trail, la visite de Sherman Tree et alentours. Et la visite de Grant Tree et alentours. Tu as raison de passer par Sequoia, c'est un superbe parc. Les forêts sont plus belles qu'à Yosemite.
Tu peux jeter un œil sur mon blog page Sequoia.
Non, le parc est grand mais n'englobe pas Lake Isabella. De plus une grosse partie du parc est en "backcountry" et n'est pas accessible facilement. Et si en plus tu rajoutes Sequoia National Forest et le voisin Kings Canyon NP... 😛
2 options s'offrent à moi: de Sequoia, faut-il mieux rejoindre Los Angeles ou San Francisco?
Je pense que LA est plus logique. Pour les visites à LA, jette un œil sur mon blog page Los Angeles. Comme à tout le monde, je te conseille de sortir des sentiers battus qui déçoivent souvent!
A Yellowstone, toute la visite de Old Faithful peut se faire en fauteuil sans problème et en plus c'est plat.🙂
Midway Geyser Basin ( où se trouve le Grand Prismatic ) est également aménagé.🙂
Pour la partie Canyon, les points de vue "Lookout Point", ""Brink of Lower Falls" et "Artist Point" sont accessibles . Il y a une promenade entre Lookout Point et Grand View qui est accessible.🙂
Fountain Paint Pot trail n'est pas du tout aménagé mais personnellement, je n'ai pas trouvé ce coin intéressant.😕
Norris Bassin (qui n'est pas très intéressant non plus) n'est pas aménagé.😕
A Mammoth, sur le plan, il y a beaucoup de tronçons indiqués comme "Designed to meet federal guidelines for wheelchair-accessibility" j'espère que tu es meilleur en anglais que moi pour le traduire !
Enfin, Mud Volcano n'est pas accessible, mais ce n'est pas un site majeur.😕
J'ai regardé les petits prospectus recueillis sur place pour te répondre. Sur West Thumb, je n'ai pas d'info mais de mémoire, c'était aménagé.
Pour ce qui est de la pêche, sorry, je ne pourrai pas t'aider !
Fountain Paint Pot trail n'est pas du tout aménagé mais personnellement, je n'ai pas trouvé ce coin intéressant.😕
Norris Bassin (qui n'est pas très intéressant non plus) n'est pas aménagé.😕
Pas très intéressant? 😮 Je ne suis pas du même avis! 😛
Sinon, West Thumb est aménagé et facilement accessible.
Pour la pêche, je n'en sais rien. Quand j'y suis allé (2 fois), j'ai vu beaucoup de pêcheurs dans les différentes rivières du Yellowstone (notamment la Gibbon si je me souviens bien) mais il doit falloir un permis!
Pour t'aider tu peux consulter mon blog page Yellowstone. D'une manière générale, tous les bassins de geysers sont facilement accessibles (Upper Geyser, Lower, Grand Prismatic, Mammoth Hot Springs...). Tu pourras aussi facilement bien profiter du Grand Canyon de la Yellowstone River à divers points de vue. Et pourquoi pas essayer Brink Of The Lower Falls?
Bravo pour ton blog, il est très bien fait.
As-tu prévu de faire une page sur Yosemite?
Je n'en dirai pas plus sur les visites dans Yellowstone mais pour la pêche, il faut une autorisation un permis auprès des rangers, et le poisson doit être remis à l'eau.
1 seul lieu de logement est plus pratique que de refaire les valises chaque jour, les visites se faisant par secteur.
Crater of the moon, oui, c'est intéressant (voir mon carnet de voyage sur les parcs peu connus)
et shoshonefalls à twin fall vaut le coup d'arrêter (voir CV 2009)
Sequoia se fait en 1 jours, mais si on prend le temps de randonner dans Kings Canyon NP qui est attenant
et de faire la partie sud du Giant sequoia NM, il faut 2 jours.
Bern
USA 2018 - Arizona, chez les indiens... https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9061068;#9061068
USA 2014 – Là où vous n'aviez pas pensé aller https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6769327;#6769327
USA 2012 "Au long du Rio Grande" https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5290732;#5290732
Comment avez-vous organisé vos 4 jours dans Yellowstone pour voir le plus de choses possibles et perdre le moins de temps possible en dormant à West Yellowstone?
Lundi 18 Juillet: Colter Bay Village – West Yellowstone (141km en 1h57) Nuit West Yellowstone
· West Thumb Geyser Basin : 1h30 pas de dénivelé
· Black Sand Basin: 30 minutes, pas de dénivelé
· Biscuit Basin + Mystic Falls : 4km, 100m de dénivelé
Mardi 19 Juillet: Yellowstone National Park Nuit West Yellowstone
· Old Faithful Geyser Basin : 3h pas de dénivelé
· Observation Point : 2.2km, 50m de dénivelé
Mercredi 20 Juillet: Yellowstone National Park Nuit West Yellowstone
· Grand Prismatic Spring: 1h30, 50m de dénivelé
· Norris Geyser Basin (Porcelain Basin + Back Basin): 3h, 50m de dénivelé
Jeudi 21 Juillet: Yellowstone National Park Nuit West Yellowstone
· Mammoth Hot Springs: 1h30, 50m de dénivelé
· Mount Washburn: 3h, 5km, 450m de dénivelé
Vendredi 22 Juillet: Yellowstone National Park Nuit West Yellowstone
· Grand Canyon du Yellowstone
On ne l'a pas suivi à la lettre, la journée du vendredi 22 s'est même trouvée reportée au 18! Et amputée car en raison d'une attaque d'ours quelques jours plus tôt, de nombreux chemins étaient fermés du côté du Grand Canyon. On a donc rajouté le bassin de Norris. Ce qui a un peu tout décalé par la suite.
Le fait de rayonner à partir de West Yellowstone n'est pas un problème! La route est facile et la vitesse est limitée entre 40 et 50 miles à l'heure (sauf quand tu croises des animaux 😛, là il y a souvent bouchon sauf tôt le matin ou le soir quand tu rentres, tu es souvent seul face aux animaux!).
Pour moi, sur un parc comme ça, la perte de temps serait plutôt de faire et défaire mes valises tous les jours, les charger dans la voiture et les check-in et check out aux différents hôtels.
Quel temps (climat et température) fait-il au Grand Teton et à Yellowstone fin juin - début juillet ?
Ça peut être variable, il y en a qui ont connu quelques chutes de neige! D'autres du beau temps très doux! Il faut prévoir pour se couvrir et les vêtements d'été 😉
Aux USA, est-il malvenu d'essayer de négocier les prix à la baisse car j'hésite à demander une geste commercial auprès de l'entreprise où je loue ma voiture accessible en fauteuil (voiture adaptée = prix plus élevé)?
A votre avis, peut-on avoir des promotions sur les billets d'avion pour les USA en les achetant auprès des agences de voyage (sélectour...)? Ou est-il préférable de passer directement par les sites internet des compagnies aériennes (Air France)? Ou via des sites comme Expedia?
A J4, je fais Grand Teton par contre je ne sais pas trop où dormir? A Colter Bay Village c'est plutôt cher. A Moran? En partant sur la route 287? Ou directement dans Yellowstone: à Old Faithful, ou à Yellowstone Lake?
A J9, je compte rajouter: Mesa falls, sa vaut le coup?
A J10, je compte supprimer Virginia City (NV) et dormir à Reno (NV).
Pour J11, Reno -> Lake Tahoe avec Emerald Bay et peut-être Cascade Lake -> Bodie -> Mono Lake -> et Peut-être June Lake Loop.
Est-ce faisable en 1 jour?
Faut-il mieux longer le lake tahoe par la côte ouest ou est?
Où peut-on dormir proche de Mono Lake? Lee Vining? Connaissez-vous un bon hôtel dans le coin?
Concernant Yosemite, Sequoia et Kings Canyon, je n'arrive pas à définir toutes les routes de ces 3 parcs, est-ce cohérent sur cette carte googlemap: http://maps.google.fr/...,7,8&t=m&z=8
Je suis à la recherche d'une location de voiture pour l'été 2013 aux USA. Après être passé deux fois par Alamo.be en 2011 et 2012, je suis tombé sur le site…
J'ai loué mon véhicule un mid size SUV chez Dollar Thrifty à JFK New York. C'est la première fois que je loue un véhicule et j'ai un peu peur de l'arnaque.…
Je souhaite avoir vos avis sur mon étape à death valley cet été, en aout. Pour re-situer: le J1 je quitte Bridgeport le matin pour visiter dans l'ordre Bodie…
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).
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 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!
