En fevrier 2013, Pinnacles National Monument a ete declare Pinnacles National Park. Le parc se trouve 90 km au sud-est de Monterey, pas loin de Salinas. J'ai visite le parc il y a plusieurs annees. On y trouve de grands rochers interessants. C'est joli, mais je ne sais pas si c'est vraiment digne d'etre declare un parc national. On a fait le meme changement de status il y a quelques annees pour Black Canyon of the Gunnison et Great Sand Dunes.
J'avais noté ce NM et envisagé de l'inclure à un futur voyage,
mais je ne trouvais pas vraiment de source d’intérêt pour y faire un détour,
d'autant que le plus intéressant n'est ouverte qu'une partie de l'année, et pas en été (si je me souviens bien)
Devenu un NP, il faut que j'y regarde de plus près, ce serai quasiment le seul de l'ouest qui ne serait pas à mon tableau de chasse !
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
C'est joli, mais je ne sais pas si c'est vraiment digne d'etre declare un parc national.
??? Je ne suis pas certaine de comprendre ce que tu veux dire.
Certains paysages seraient donc plus dignes que d'autres ?
Ne vois aucune agressivité ni de reproche dans ma réponse. C'est juste que je trouve ta remarque très bizarre.
Deplus je ne connais pas tous les tenants et aboutissants dans la classification des parcs nationaux, mais déclarer un site naturel "parc national" n'est-il pas toujours une bonne nouvelle ? On parle ici de protection de l'environnement (et du patrimoine) et dans l'absolu, protéger un site est plutôt une bonne chose (au delà des préférences des visiteurs qui iront on le sait plus volontier à Arches NP, Yosemite et au Grand Canyon qu'à Black Canyon... ou Pinnacles). 🙂
Si tous les cons volaient, il ferait nuit. (Frédéric Dard)
C'est joli, mais je ne sais pas si c'est vraiment digne d'etre declare un parc national.
??? Je ne suis pas certaine de comprendre ce que tu veux dire.
Certains paysages seraient donc plus dignes que d'autres ?
Ne vois aucune agressivité ni de reproche dans ma réponse. C'est juste que je trouve ta remarque très bizarre.
Deplus je ne connais pas tous les tenants et aboutissants dans la classification des parcs nationaux, mais déclarer un site naturel "parc national" n'est-il pas toujours une bonne nouvelle ? On parle ici de protection de l'environnement (et du patrimoine) et dans l'absolu, protéger un site est plutôt une bonne chose (au delà des préférences des visiteurs qui iront on le sait plus volontier à Arches NP, Yosemite et au Grand Canyon qu'à Black Canyon... ou Pinnacles). 🙂
Bonjour,
Oui, a mon avis, certains paysages ou site naturels sont plus dignes que d'autres d'etre declare un "national park". Il faut rappeler que Pinnacles a ete deja un site protege parce que c'etait deja un "national monument". L'administration du parc n'a pas du tout change avec ce changement de status. Le National Park Service est oblige de proteger tous ses terrains sans se soucier du status. Le National Park Service comprend national parks, national monuments, national seashores, national historic sites, et d'autres.
La raison du changement de Pinnacles etait une nouvelle loi/declaration du Congres, affirme par le president. Donc c'etait une action politique. Je ne sais pas pourquoi le Congres voulait changer le status de Pinnacles. Mais j'ai lu que le changement de status de Great Sand Dunes et Black Canyon of the Gunnison en 1999, tous les deux dans le Colorado, etait a cause de l'influence de l'industrie de tourisme.😕 Ayant visite ces 2 parcs de Colorado, Black Canyon of the Gunnison est digne d'etre un parc national, mais Great Sand Dunes aurait du rester un monument national. Mais c'est tout simplement mon avis.🙂
J'ai lu que Pinnacles est le 59eme parc national americain. Je crois que j'ai visite au moins 38 parcs nationaux, et beaucoup de national monuments et state parks. Parmi tous ces parcs nationaux, il n'y a que Pinnacles et Great Sand Dunes qui aurait du rester comme national monuments a mon avis, et non pas des national parks. Parmi les national monuments, Canyon de Chelly est digne (a mon avis, bien sur) d'etre un national park, mais ca doit rester un national monument pour raisons compliquees (c'est un terrain Navajo et des Navajos y habitent toujours, quelque chose interdit dans un parc national). Devils Tower (Wyoming) est digne d'etre un parc national a mon avis. Grace aux photos que j'ai vu de White Sands (Nouveau Mexique), peut-etre ce parc aussi. Na Pali state park et Waimea Canyon (Hawaii) sont magnfiques et sont dignes d'etre des parcs nationaux-- toujours a mon avis. Mais ce sont deja des terrains proteges, et c'est la chose la plus importante.
Je crois qu'un president americain peut proteger des terrains federaux lui-meme. C'est-a-dire, sans action du Congres. Et un president peut declarer lui-meme un terrain un "national monument". Mais pour declarer un terrain federal un "national park", je crois que le Congres doit proposer une loi/declaration, et le president doit affirmer la loi/declaration.
Dans ce que tu cites, j'ai visité le Canyon de Chelly, Black Canyon of the Gunnison et le Devil's Tower.
J'ai beaucoup aimé ces 3 visites et particulièrement adoré le Canyon de Chelly. Je me demandais ce qui faisait qu'un parc était classé National Park ou National Monument.
Ce que je retiens de mes visites en premier lieu c'est le plaisir que j'ai eu à découvrir tous ces lieux grandioses, chargés d'histoire et ses paysages sublimes (même si je ne randonnes pas autant que certains sur ce forum). Et j'avoue avoir un faible pour les parcs moins fréquentés ou un peu à l'écart... qui ont d'une certaine façon plus de charmes (attention, ça ne veut pas dire que je n'ai pas aimé Arches NP et Monument Valley ! 😏 ). J'aime prendre les lieux pour ce qu'ils sont et j'essaye (dans le mesure de mes moyens) d'en tirer le meilleur. J'ai par exemple des souvenirs fabuleux à Vasquez Rocks ou aux Alabama Hills, j'en ai des frissons rien que d'y penser. J'ai adoré Bryce Canyon, mais pour d'autres raisons. L'un est un parc national, les autres pas. J'ignore si ces parcs méritent ou non leur statut, mais quelque part, j'avoue que je m'en fous, l'important, c'est qu'ils soient là et qu'ils soient protégés. Même si j'admets que si dans une avenir lointain les Alabama Hills devenaient devenir un parc national, elles perdraient quelque chose dans l'opération, sans doute un peu de tranquilité. Ainsi va le monde...
Pour rester dans le domaine des pinnacles, à l'automne je vais tacher de faire une petite visite des Trona Pinnacles en Californie près de Ridgecrest. Je me connais et je pense que je vais grandement apprécier. Ce site dépend du BLM. Mais pour moi, tout cela au final ne fait aucune différence, national monument, national park, blm, tribal park, state park, etc... je suis comme le petit prince, je regarde avec le coeur ; je trouve qu'on vit dans une monde parfois alliéné, mais heureusement parfois assez intelligent pour protéger ces sites, et c'est ce qui compte. 🙂
j'ai lu que le changement de status de Great Sand Dunes et Black Canyon of the Gunnison en 1999, tous les deux dans le Colorado, etait a cause de l'influence de l'industrie de tourisme.
Reste que le tourisme est une industrie dont dépendent de nombreuses régions. C'est le revers de la médaille...
Si tous les cons volaient, il ferait nuit. (Frédéric Dard)
Lors de ta visite il y a qq années, as tu visité les caves ?
C’était la seule partie qui avait suscité mon intérêt
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
Non, j'y ai fait une randonnee mais j'ai pas visite les caves. (Je suis arrive par l'entree de l'ouest. Aucune route traverse le parc.) J'ai lu quelque chose interessante concernant les grottes: Lorsque Clinton etait president, il a ajoute 3197 hectares a Pinnacles NM afin de sauvegarder plusieurs grottes.
Clinton a aussi cree Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument en Utah. Le gouvernement de Utah et pas mal de ses citoyins ne sont pas du tout content avec ce changement de statut. Un national monument ou un national park a beaucoup de restrictions qui n'existent pas dans une national forest.
Tout est question d argent , en general l'entree est plus chere dans un Parc National que dans un National Monument ...par exemple ici entree Black Canyon National Park : $25 , entree Colorado Nationa lMonument $15.....( a mon avis ces deux parcs devraient tous deux etre National Monument ....)
Le changement en Parc National ne change rien du tout sauf le droit d entree qui augmente
Mais il existe aussi des parcs nationaux gratuits (example: Redwood NP) et monuments gratuits (exemple: Canyon de Chelly NM). Le changement de statut n'est pas fait pour augmenter des tarifs d'entree. Saguaro NP avait ete un National Monument aussi. De toute facon, le tarif d'entree est seulement $10 aujourd'hui.
Me voilà presque arrivée à la fin de la préparation de notre RT de septembre.Après notre visite de 3 nuits à Sequoia on aura une nuit étape à Caolinga (pour…
J'ai découvert ce parc aux paysages assez insolites que je ne connaissais pas un peu par hasard en recherchant les itinéraires possibles (autres que l'I15)…
Bonjour à tous,
Nous avons organisé un voyage (couple retraité) fin août -première quinzaine de septembre dans l'ouest canadien.
Circuit classique : arrivée à Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Clearwater, Whistler, île de Vancouver, départ de Vancouver.
Je sais que vous ne lisez pas plus que moi dans la boule de cristal, aussi je ne vous demande évidemment pas quelle sera la situation au niveau des incendies dans un mois...
Mais si certains d'entre vous pouvaient me dire si, ACTUELLEMENT, il y a de grosses difficultés, non seulement pour les habitants, évidemment, mais pour les touristes ?
Nous hésitons en effet à tenter le coup ou à annuler ce qui peut encore l'être.
Nous ne sommes pas jeunes, et n'avons plus la flexibilité d'autrefois...
Merci mille fois à ceux qui, sur place ou y ayant des contacts, pourront nous aider à prendre cette décision !
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
