Bonjour,
Je souhaite effectuer un road trip solitaire fin Aout (vers 25 je dirai) - Debut septembre, oui c'est bientôt. C'est un peu un coup de tête mais ce genre de road trip me trotte dans la tête depuis longtemps donc l'organisation de ce voyage est assez 'Simple'
J'ai la possibilité de faire un voyage pour une durée de 17 à 19 Jours, c'est assez court mais je pense avoir le temps de faire pas mal de chose et d'autres devant être sacrifié (Yellowstone, trop loin et trop long)
Voici le planning actuel.
Je tiens à préciser que aucuns Hotels n'as été réservé car je ne connais pas les dates exact du depart. Je ne compte pas dormir dans des hotels tout les soirs, seulement après de grosse journée de trail par exemple (question de budget), en dehors de ça, ce sera en camping (Tente) soit carrément dans la voiture.
J'aurai donc besoin d'avis de votre par concernant les divers solution de nuité s'offrant a moi durant ce trajet
Tout les temps de route indiqué sont majoré d'une heure, on va y aller tranquillement.
Jour 1 :
Arrivé Denver - Matin de préférence
Jour 2 :
Route Colorado Springs
Visite Garden Of the Gods
Route Aspen
Vu l'époque les prix d’hôtel sont exorbitant, je me dirige donc plutôt vers nuit dans la voiture
Temps de route : >5H
Jour 3 :
Direction Maroon Bells avant que la route soit réservé au shuttle
Promenade - Trail
Direction CedarEdge ou parc Grand Mesa
Nuit Camping ou Voiture
Temps de route : 3h30
Jour 4 :
Crag Crest Trail
Nuit vers Delta - Hotel
Jour 5 :
Direction Black Canyon Of gunisson
Scenic view de gunisson et Warner Point Nature Trail
Direction Grand Junction
Nuit hotel
Temps de route : 3h30
Jour 6 :
Colorado National Monument
Monument Canyon Trail
Direction Moab
Nuit Camping ou voiture
Jour 7 :
Arches National Park :
Devil Garden Trail
Delicate Arch Trail
Nuit Camping ou voiture
Jour 8 :
CanyonLand National Park
Island In The sky
Route Mesa Verde
Nuit sur le trajet - Hotel
Temps de route : 2h30
Jour 9 : (Cette journée me parait trop grosse)
Mesa Verde - Capin Mesa
Direction Monument Valley
Couché soleil Monument Valley
Direction Page
Temps de route : > 5H
Jour 10
Page :
Horseshoe Bend
Antelope canyon (Upper and Lower) - Reservation requise
Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
Nuit Voiture - Camping
Jour 11 : (Peut être une trop grosse journée sachant que je suis seul, ??)
Direction Grand Canyon Rive Nord
Point de vue Rive Nord
Direction Vers hurricane (Zion) - Nuit Hotel
Temps de route : > 5H
Jour 12 :
Zion – Angels Landing Trail
Nuit hotel vers Cedar City
Jour 13 :
Route vers Bryce
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Red Canyon
Jour 15 :
Direction Capitol Reef
Visite Capitol Reef
Nuit : Camping ?
Jour 16 :
Route Salt Lake city
Si possible Vol retour en fin de journée (>17h)
Jour 17 :
Retour Paris
Distance devant être parcouru : 2700 KM
Je dispose donc d'un delta actuelle de 2 jours si nécessaire, pouvant servir à alléger le planning ou ajouter un étape quelque part.
Je rappel que ce voyage doit être fait en solitaire et ce sera une première pour moi, si vous avez des retours d’expérience à ce sujet ...
Enfin, Je souhaite votre avis sur l'organisation de ce voyage
Le projet évolue rapidement compte tenu de la date arrivant vite.
Le circuit sera donc sur une durée de 19 jours à partir du 28 Aout (+ / - 2 jours), je ne sais pas encore.
Concernant le planning :
Jour 1 :
Arrivé à Denver, nuit dans un motel du style : Super 8 - Motel 6
Jour 2 :
Colorado Spring : Garden Of the Gods
Aspen
Nuit : Dans un camping sur Maroon Creak Road qui sont en first come first served, vu la saison je sent que ca va être dur !
Jour 3 :
Maroon Bells - Crater Lake Trail
Grand mesa
Nuit : Camping sur Grand Mesa par exemple Ward Lake Campground mais toujours en first come first served
Jour 4 :
Grand Mesa - CRAG CREST TRAIL
Nuit : Camping sur Grand mesa
Jour 5 :
Black Canyon of Gunnison - Gunisson Point - South Rim Road - Warner Point Nature Trail
Grand Junction
Nuit : Hotel Grand junction
Jour 6 :
Grand Junction : Colorado National Monument - Monument Canyon Trail
Moab
Nuit : Camping : Slickrock Campground
Jour 7 :
Arches National Park - Devil Garden Trail - Delicate Arch Trail
Nuit : Camping : Slickrock Campground
Jour 8 :
Canyonland National Park - Island In The Sky - Trail Divers
Nuit : Camping : Slickrock Campground
Jour 9 :
Mesa Verde - Chapin Mesa
Nuit : Ou pouvons nous dormir ici ? je ne trouve pas grand chose
Jour 10 :
Monument Valley - Milieu apres midi
Nuit : Camping Page, jusqu'a quelle heure pouvons nous arriver dans un camping ? je pense arriver tard ce jour la !
Jour 11 :
Page : Horseshoe Bend - Antelope canyon - Glen Canyon Dam Overlook - Lake Powell
Nuit : Camping Page
Jour 12 :
Grand Canyon Rive Nord
Nuit : Hotel Hurricane
Jour 13 :
Zion – Angels Landing Trail
Nuit : Hotel Hurricane.
Jour 14 :
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Red Canyon trail
Nuit : Camping vers bryce
Jour 15 :
Bryce Canyon - La rim
Nuit : Camping vers bryce
Jour 16 :
Bryce Canyon - L'amphitheatre
Nuit : Camping vers bryce
Jour 17 :
Capitol Reef - Fruita Area
Nuit : Motel vers Capitol Reef
Monument Valley se visite de bonne heure ou mieux en fin d après midi.
J12 journée très difficile. Grand Canyon North mérite davantage que quelques minutes sur place vu d une part la beauté du site et d'autre part la longueur du détour
Angel s Landing est pour le moment fermé en raison d'un éboulement. A suivre. Inspiration Point depuis l'entrée Est est une option plus que recommandable.
Motels corrects à Hurricane mais considérez le camping juste à côté du Visitor Center de Zion à Springdale.
Bonjour,
Je possède finalement les même doutes que vous sur ces deux jours. J'essaye désespérément de trouver une solution. Le problème vient surtout du fait que je suis seul sur ce circuit, je dois me ménager le plus possible.
Je veux être sur monument valley en milieu d’après midi pour voir ce qu'il y as a voir et cela jusqu'en fin de journée pour y admirer le coucher du soleil. Le soucis est qu'il me restera encore 2h20 de routes pour atteindre Page à la suite de cela. Je ne suis pas spécialement encouragé par cette démarche, mais je doit absolument atteindre page ce jour la pour pouvoir faire Antelope Canyon avec la visite de 8h00, ou alors il me reste la solution me lever très tot le jour suivant pour atteindre Page vers 7h ou dormir sur la route dans la voiture.
Pour le jour 12 je suis tout a fait d'accord, je ne compte pas rester seulement quelques minutes sur la rive nord et cela fait donc que ma journée et extrêmement chargé, mais je n'ai pas encore trouver de solution pour dormir entre la Rive Nord et Hurricane. Y a t'il des solutions de logements sur le trajet ?
Oui, je suit de très prêt l'évolution de Angel's Landing, j'espère que cela sera résolu pour la date du 11 septembre (si je compte bien)
Bonjour,
Billets et voiture réservé en date du 28 Aout jusqu'au 15 Septembre !
Des ajustements ainsi que des modifications sur les itineraires ont été effectuée afin d'avoir le trajet le plus 'fluide' possibles, une destination à été supprimé au profil d'un nouvel itineraire.
Je reste à l'écoute de l'ensemble de vos suggestions :
L'ensemble des Hotels et camping ont été réservé jusqu'au jour 9.
Je possède une question concernant mon Jour 2 pour Maroon Bells.
Je souhaiterai finalement prendre les shuttles mis en place à partir de 8h. Je serai la bas en date du 30 Aout.
Pensez-vous qu'il y aura de la place sur le parking d'Aspen Highland ou je doit me rabattre sur un parking en ville et prendre une navette en direction d'aspen highland ?
Jour 9 :
Depart le matin de Slickrock campground (Moab) en direction de Mesa Verde
Visite - Chapin Mesa
Nuit : Ute Mountain Casino Hotel au sud de cortez
Jour 10 :
Direction page en passant par Monument Valley
Devant être sur Monument Valley en Milieu d'apres midi jusqu'a fin de journée, ce sera grasse matinée.
Nuit : Page (Recherche en cours)
Jour 12 :
Depart de page vers North Rim.
Journée sur la rive nord
Nuit : Kebab Camper Village, les campings sur la routes de North Rim sont déjà prit d'assault ^^
Jour 13
Depart de Kebab Camper vers Zion
Angels Landing Trail
Nuit : Hurricane.
Jour 14 :Intialement prévu pour : Cedar Breaks National Monument - Red Canyon puis direction sur Bryce
Je me dirige maintenant vers une nuit sur Kanab avec seconde journée sur Zion pour effectuer les différents points de vue et trail sur la Mount Carmel Highway.
Effectivement cela me fait faire le chemin en sens inverse par rapport au jour précédent mais c'est important pour le jour suivant !
Jour 15 :
Direction bryce canyon par Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Yellow Rock - Grosvenor Arch
Nuit : Bryce
Jour 16 :
Bryce Canyon – Figure 8 Trail
Le reste du planning reste pour le moment inchangés mais je pense que les modifications apportés sont les bienvenue. Qu'en pensez-vous ?
Bonjour,
L'ensemble des hotels, campings et étapes sont maintenant établis, /reservé je vais faire un petit résumé pour que cela soit plus clair.
Jour 1 : Arrivé Denver
Jour 2 : Denver - Aspen
Jour 3 : Maroon Bells (Crater Lake Trail) - Grand Mesa
Jour 4 : Grand Mesa (Crag Crest Trail)
Jour 5 : Black Canyon Of Gunnisson (Scenic Drive - Point de vue - Warner Point Nature Trail - Painted Wall View Trail) - Grand Junction
Jour 6 : Grand Junction (Scenic Drive - Monument Canyon Loop Trail) - Moab
Jour 7 : Arches (Devils Garden Loop Trail, Delicate Arch Trail au sunset) - Ajout possible de Double Arch trail
Jour 8 : Canyonland (Mesa Arch sunrise, point de vue & trail comme Upheaval dome, Aztec butte Trail, Grand View Point, White Rim Overlook, Murphy Point, Buck Canyon overlook)
Jour 9 : Moab - Mesa verde (Scenic Drive, Cliff Palace & Balcony, reservation impossible donc on vera de loin - Petroglyph Point Trail)
Jour 10 : Cortez - Monument Valley (Sunset)
Monument Valley - Page
Jour 11 : Page - Antelope canyon reservé (Lower vers 8h, upper 12h), Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell - Jacob Lake
Jour 12 : Jacob Lake - North Rim (Point de vue - Bright Angel Point Trail, North Kaibab Trail)- Jacob Lake
Jour 13 : Jacob Lake - Zion (Angel Landing, si ouvert) - Hurricane
Jour 14 : Hurricane - Zion (Scenic Drive, Canyon Overlook Trail, Court of the patriarch, Hidden Arch) - Kanab
Jour 15 : Kanab - Wire pass trail (House Rock Valley Road) - Yellow Rock (Cottonwood Canyon Rd) - Bryce
Jour 16 : Bryce (Navajo loop and Queen's Garden trail)
Jour 17 : Bryce - Capitol Reef (Cassidy Arch Trail, Cohab Canyon Trail)
Jour 18 : Capitol Reef - Salt Lake
Jour 19 : Depart pour Paris
petit conseil, prends la UT 128 à partir de Cisco pour descendre sur Moab , la route est superbe. Si tu as le temps fait une petite incursion dans castel valley ou dans onion creek si ta voiture le permet.
Pourquoi dormir à Grand Junction au lieu de camper à Colorado NM ? Le camping est magnifique et pas si loin de Grand junction.
Le camping à Mesa verde est bien aussi :-)
petit conseil, prends la UT 128 à partir de Cisco pour descendre sur Moab , la route est superbe. Si tu as le temps fait une petite incursion dans castel valley ou dans onion creek si ta voiture le permet.
Pourquoi dormir à Grand Junction au lieu de camper à Colorado NM ? Le camping est magnifique et pas si loin de Grand junction.
Le camping à Mesa verde est bien aussi :-)
bon voyage
Vinciane
Merci du conseil, un petit passage dans Onion Creek me parait faisable car je doit normalement avoir un Ford Edge. Je n'avais pas eu connaissance de cet endroit, qui me semble très jolie, Merci :)
Enfaîte, je voulais quelques jours d'hotel dans le voyages afin d'avoir un peu plus de confort que les Camping, j'ai donc pris, 1 Hotel tout les 3-4 nuits, cela tombe donc a Grand Junction - Mesa Verde - Zion 🙂 .
Mais je vais peut être y penser pour Mesa Verde, je peux annuler l'hotel de Cortez gratuitement jusqu’à la veille.
Le Black canyon est a Montrose ( et non pas a Gunnison comme chacun le sait ) la route depuis la pour rejoindre Grand Junction se fait en 1 heure ( et pas en 3h et quelques ) et elle est tres plate et monotone...
Je ferai Montrose -Ridgeway- Norwood-Naturita-Uravan-Gateway-GrandJunction qui est une route exceptionnellement belle dans les canyons de roches rouges longeant la Dolores river....tres tres isolee et tres tres peu frequentee par les touristes , tout y est sauvage et beau...
Si, il est autorisé dans de nombreux états de dormir dans sa voiture sur les aires de repos des autoroutes (interstates) mais pas de camper et pas dans tous les états, donc il vaut mieux savoir lesquels pour ne pas être réveilé par le shérif à 3h du matin. Voici une liste par état (en espérant qu'elle est à jour car ce genre de règle évolue d'année en année, plutôt dans le sens de la restriction). Pour l'Ouest, ça donne ça:
OK: Arizona, Idaho (8h max), Montana, Nevada, Nouveau-Mexique, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington (8h max)
Not OK: Californie, Colorado, Dakota (Nord et Sud), Wyoming.
Le Black canyon est a Montrose ( et non pas a Gunnison comme chacun le sait ) la route depuis la pour rejoindre Grand Junction se fait en 1 heure ( et pas en 3h et quelques ) et elle est tres plate et monotone...
Je ferai Montrose -Ridgeway- Norwood-Naturita-Uravan-Gateway-GrandJunction qui est une route exceptionnellement belle dans les canyons de roches rouges longeant la Dolores river....tres tres isolee et tres tres peu frequentee par les touristes , tout y est sauvage et beau...
Effectivement la route proposé semble particulièrement belle, cependant le trajet m'indique 5h de routes et je doute pouvoir faire Grand Mesa - Black Canyon - Grand junction (par le chemin proposé) dans une seule journée, cela me fera environ 7h de route + la visite de Black Canyon.
Etant seul sur ce periple, c'est impossible pour moi de faire autant de route en toutes sécurité.
Si, il est autorisé dans de nombreux états de dormir dans sa voiture sur les aires de repos des autoroutes (interstates) mais pas de camper et pas dans tous les états, donc il vaut mieux savoir lesquels pour ne pas être réveilé par le shérif à 3h du matin. Voici une liste par état (en espérant qu'elle est à jour car ce genre de règle évolue d'année en année, plutôt dans le sens de la restriction). Pour l'Ouest, ça donne ça:
OK: Arizona, Idaho (8h max), Montana, Nevada, Nouveau-Mexique, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington (8h max)
Not OK: Californie, Colorado, Dakota (Nord et Sud), Wyoming.
Je viens de regarder, la seule interstate que je prend est entre Denver - Colorado Spring et Grand Junction - Moab
Ce lien est toutefois utile, je l'ai ajouté dans mes favoris :)
Bonjour,
Les dernières finalisation sont en cours, principalement sur les itinéraires et les points d'interêt sur les routes entre 2 étapes.
Jour 15 : Trajet entre Kanab - Bryce Canyon
Wire pass Trailhead - jusqu'a BuckSkin Overlook
The Teadstools Trail
Yellow Rock
Cottonwood Narrows
Grosvenor Arch
Y aurai-t-il un autre point d'intérêt à ne rater sur ce trajet ?
Jour 17 : Trajet entre Bryce Canyon - Capitol Reef
Beaucoups de chose a voir sur cette formidable UT12 😏
Mossy Cave
Powell Point Vista
Upper Valey Graineries
Devils Garden (Hole In The Rock Road)
Head Of The Rocks Overlook
Boynton Overlook
Calf Creek ViewPoint
Burr Trail Road jusqu'a Long Canyon
HomeStead Overlook
Je ne pense pas avoir le temps d'aller jusqu'a Strike Valley
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!
