Bonjour
Apres plusieurs recherches j'aimerai vos avis sur cette ébauche de circuit.
Ce sera notre 2e voyage dans l'ouest, nous avons déjà fait SF et les parcs. Nous désirons approfondir Arches, Bryce et Zion que nous avions particulièrement apprécié.
J1 Paris Salt Lake City
J2 Grand teton
J3 Yellowstone
J4 Yellowstone
J5 Yellowstone
J6 Yellowstone
J7 Yellowstone
J8 Cody
J9 Devil Tower Rapid city
J10 Mont Rushmore- Custer SP
J11 Laramie-Rocky mountain
J12 Rocky Mountain
J13 Gunnison SP
J14 Moab Arches
J15 Moab Arches
J16 Moab Island in the Sky
J17 Bryce
J18 Bryce
J19 Zion
J20 Zion-Death Valley
J21 Death Valley- Vegas le soir
J22 LA
J23 LA
J24 LA-Paris
j'aurais peut etre tendance a faire ce circuit en sens inverse pour finir en beauté avec Yellowstone , d'autres parcs pourraient paraitre plus fade ensuite.
Je ne comprends pas bien l'interet de la nuit a LV, pour repartir de suite a LA, vu le detour obligatoire.
j'aurais peut etre tendance a faire ce circuit en sens inverse pour finir en beauté avec Yellowstone , d'autres parcs pourraient paraitre plus fade ensuite.
Je ne comprends pas bien l'interet de la nuit a LV, pour repartir de suite a LA, vu le detour obligatoire.
Bonne recherche
C'est juste pour voir LV vite fait, le strip essentiellement.
On le fait dans ce sens pour être sur Yellowstone aux alentour de fin juin et éviter juillet...
comme souvent indiqué, il vaut mieux décrire votre circuit comme ceci :
Jx : lieu de départ - lieu d'arrivé - temps de trajet - rando/visite
car, si on prend votre circuit :
J8 Cody
J9 Devil Tower Rapid city
on ne sait pas trop ce qui est prévu mais il y a minimum 6h de route entre Cody et Rapid City, sans compter les arrêts photos, casse-croûte, carburant, pipi...
J17 Bryce
J18 Bryce
A moins de beaucoup randonner et, même si vous souhaiter approfondir, 2 jours...
Même remarque pour Arches. A moins que cela soit dû au temps de trajet 😉 ?
J20 Zion-Death Valley
J21 Death Valley- Vegas le soir
Pourquoi ne pas dormir à Las Vegas en J20 puis à DV en J21 ? Cela semble plus cohérent en terme de distance à parcourir.
comme souvent indiqué, il vaut mieux décrire votre circuit comme ceci :
Jx : lieu de départ - lieu d'arrivé - temps de trajet - rando/visite
car, si on prend votre circuit :
J8 Cody
J9 Devil Tower Rapid city
on ne sait pas trop ce qui est prévu mais il y a minimum 6h de route entre Cody et Rapid City, sans compter les arrêts photos, casse-croûte, carburant, pipi...
J17 Bryce
J18 Bryce
A moins de beaucoup randonner et, même si vous souhaiter approfondir, 2 jours...
Même remarque pour Arches. A moins que cela soit dû au temps de trajet 😉 ?
J20 Zion-Death Valley
J21 Death Valley- Vegas le soir
Pourquoi ne pas dormir à Las Vegas en J20 puis à DV en J21 ? Cela semble plus cohérent en terme de distance à parcourir.
En effet j'ai détaillé un peu (ça reste une ébauche)
Pour Bryce on a prévu une sortie à cheval et des randos, Pour Moab ce ser a2 jours à Island in th Sky.
J1 Paris Salt Lake City nuit Jakson
J2 Grand teton nuit Yellowstone
J3 Yellowstone West Thumb et Lake nuit secteur Old Faithfull
J4 Yellowstone Old Faithfull
J5 Yellowstone Madison Norris
J6 Yellowstone Canyon
J7 Yellowstone Mammoth + Tower
J8 Cody nuit vers Buffalo
J9 Devil Tower Rapid city nuit Rapid city
J10 Mont Rushmore- Custer SP nuit Rapid city
J11 Laramie-Rocky mountain Nuit Rocky Mountain
J12 Rocky Mountain Nuit Rocky Mountain
J13 Gunnison SP Nuit Delta
J14 Moab Arches Randos
J15 Moab Island in the Sky RandosRandos
J16 Moab Island in the Sky Randos
J17 Bryce Randos
J18 Bryce Randos
J19 Zion Randos
J20 Zion-Vegas le soir
J21 Death Valley nuit Death Valley
J22 LA
J23 LA
J24 LA-Paris
Tu comptes aller de Salt Lake City à Jackson le jour de ton arrivée ?
Le temps de passer l'immigration - de récupérer la voiture + 5h de route.....
Avec le décalage horaire ça fera une très longue journée.
J9 Devil Tower Rapid city nuit Rapid city
J10 Mont Rushmore- Custer SP nuit Rapid city
J11 Laramie-Rocky mountain Nuit Rocky Mountain
Rapid City n'est pas le meilleur endroit pour visiter le Mt Rushmore et le Custer SP.
Surtout que le lendemain tu pars sur Laramie.
Tu comptes aller de Salt Lake City à Jackson le jour de ton arrivée ?
Le temps de passer l'immigration - de récupérer la voiture + 5h de route.....
Avec le décalage horaire ça fera une très longue journée.
J9 Devil Tower Rapid city nuit Rapid city
J10 Mont Rushmore- Custer SP nuit Rapid city
J11 Laramie-Rocky mountain Nuit Rocky Mountain
Rapid City n'est pas le meilleur endroit pour visiter le Mt Rushmore et le Custer SP.
Surtout que le lendemain tu pars sur Laramie.
Oui en effet je pense qu'il manque un jour entre SLC et Grand Teton: Antelope Island et route vers Jackson peut être.
5 heures de route après 10 heures de vol et la fatigue du décalage horaire ? 😮 (sans compter temps à passer l'immigration, récupérer les valises, passer la douane, récupérer la voiture de location). Je te le déconseille vivement. Sans parler du fait que tu devras rouler de nuit par la force des choses. C'est risqué tout de même
J8 Cody nuit vers Buffalo
Oui, ça te laisse le temps de profiter d'une matinée à Cody, la ville est sympa, et puis il y a pas mal à voir entrée le Buffalo Bill Museum et Old Trail Town.
J9 Devil Tower Rapid city nuit Rapid city
Ce jour là tu peux visiter Deadwood en chemin, et aller dormir plutôt à Keystone pour te rapprocher du Mt Rushmore.
J10 Mont Rushmore- Custer SP nuit Rapid city
Tu peux dormir à Custer, ça te permettrait de profiter la la Wildlife Loop Road en fin de journée au Custer SP.
Là je ne dis rien, je ne connais pas Rocky Mountains NP
J13 Gunnison SP Nuit Delta
Si tu dors dans les Rockies, ça n'est pas jouable, on arrive à environ 6 heures de route sans compter les pauses et les arrêts divers (même si tu ne visites rien en route). Et puis Delta est à 1 heure de route au nord de Black Canyon of the Gunnison et t'éloigne en même temps de Moab. Après la visite de Black Canyon (compte quand même 1/2 journée de visite), il vaudrait mieux dormir à Montrose.
J20 Zion-Vegas le soir
Cette nuit unique à Vegas me laisse perplexe. Si tu ne connais pas du tout, avec une seule nuit sur place, tu n'auras le temps de rien voir du tout. Et si tu connais déjà, une seule nuit ne t'apportera strictement rien.
J22 Death Valley LA
J23 LA
J24 LA-Paris
Au mieux, ça te fait une journée complète + 2 demi-journées, c'est très court. Si tu prévois les spots classiques hyper touristiques (Walk of Fame, Venice...), tu vas revenir déçue et tu vas détester Los Angeles. Cette ville demande du temps, c'est dommage. Compte au moins 3 ou 4 nuits sur place pour un premier séjour.
A mon sens, cet itinéraire n'est pas faisable car la partie Los Angeles/Death Valley/Las Vegas/Zion et bien trop éloignée du reste de l'itinéraire, à savoir Wyoming/South Dakota/Colorado. Tu fais un trop grand écart pour seulement 22 jours sur place (je ne compte pas les 3 jours de vols).
A part un temps confortable à Yellowstone, Bryce et Moab, le reste sera vu un peu en coup de vent. Dommage par exemple d'aller jusque dans le South Dakota et ne pas visiter les Badlands qui est une merveille et peut être visité en 1/2 journée ou 1 journée pleine selon tu tu randonnes ou pas.
Réfléchis à tes priorités et de bien sélectionner tes étapes, mieux voir moins mais mieux.
22 jours est une excellente durée pour un voyage dans l'ouest. Vu que ce n'est pas ton premier voyage là bas, c'est vrai que c'est toujours problématique de choisir entre ce qu'on a envie de revoir et les nouvelles découvertes. Mais attention à ne pas trop charger l'itinéraire au risque de survoler les sites. 🙂
Je te conseille d'écrémer un peu. 😉
Si tous les cons volaient, il ferait nuit. (Frédéric Dard)
Bonjour,
Oui c'est bien ma crainte, notre aventure en Dakota du sud/Colorado plombe pas mal le circuit.
On va recentrer sur l'ouest en ajoutant des petits parks comme Goblin ou Kodachrome SP et ajouter du temps à LA.
Bonsoir,
Je vous recommande à Custer, L Econo Lodge 342 Mount Rushmore Rd
Très propre accueil hyper chaleureux par la patronne
Proche de Custer SP, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse
137$ 2 QB petit dej inclus
Je vous déconseille de prendre la route dès votre arrivée à SLC. Après un si long voyage, nous aspirons à nous détendre et effectuer quelques achats au Walmart.
La visite du Capitol ne vous intéresse pas?
Nous étions au Yellowstone mi juillet , nous n’avons pas été gêné par le soleil, il a fait beau mais très supportable , avons essuyé 2 gros orages sur 2 après-midi.
Je suis d'accord avec les autres, pas raisonnable d'aller à jusqu'à Jackson en J1.
Je rajouterais une journée dans la zone Rapid City pour faire les Badlands.
Avez-vous déjà été en Utah ? Parce que vous allez très vite en passant beaucoup de points très intéressants : Capitol Reef, UT12, Goblin, Kodachrome, ... Ne vaudrait-il pas être moins être gourmand et terminer votre circuit à LV ? Cela vous permettrait de rajouter des étapes avant ...
Dans l'ensemble on ne comprend pas très bien où vous placez les temps de trajet qui ne sont pas négligeables entre les points que vous mentionnez.
Bonjour,
Oui c'est bien ma crainte, notre aventure en Dakota du sud/Colorado plombe pas mal le circuit.
On va recentrer sur l'ouest en ajoutant des petits parks comme Goblin ou Kodachrome SP et ajouter du temps à LA.
Bonjour
Euh si vous recentrez sur l'ouest ça serra au détriment de Yellowstone. En 22 jours vous pouvez bien découvrir le coin de Yellowstone et le Dakota c'est vraiment une région à découvrir .
Comme dit dans un des premiers postes le mieux est de terminer par Yellowstone 😉 Après la visite de ce parc tout parait bien fade et on se demande bien pourquoi on a choisit de continuer. Surtout que la partie qui peut vous redonnez le sourire se situe après Cody avec Devil's Tower , les Badlands , la Wildlife Loop et toutes les scenics road de la région.
Une des solutions serait de faire un vol intérieur entre Jackson et LV ou si vous terminez par Yellowstone LV et Jackson.
Après attention de ne pas être trop tôt sur Yellowstone il neige encore actuellement , même si cela reste rare , donc certain secteur sont fermé . Après le monde sur Yellowstone il y en a de plus en plus mais il est facile à éviter
Ah et autre chose : inutile de préparer un planning précis pour ce parc il ne serra pas suivi , le plus simple est de prévoir par secteur et de s'adapter sur place .
Par ailleurs
J3 Yellowstone West Thumb et Lake nuit secteur Old Faithfull
J4 Yellowstone Old Faithfull
J5 Yellowstone Madison Norris
J6 Yellowstone Canyon
J7 Yellowstone Mammoth + Tower
Je ne sais pas si vous avez réservé mais la nuit à Madison ne s'impose pas , ni celle de Mammoth à moins que vous ayez noté vos visites et pas les nuits
Si pas réservé je ferais mes nuits ainsi
J3 Yellowstone West Thumb et Lake nuit secteur Old Faithfull
J4 Yellowstone Old Faithfull
J5 Yellowstone west yellowstone
J6 Yellowstone west Yellowstone
J7 Yellowstone canyon
et par contre si c'est pour l'année prochaine cela fait un moment que les réservations sont ouverte pour les hébergements dans le parc , il faudrait voir les disponibilités.
Merci pour vos réponses.
Je pense scinder notre voyage en deux et revoir l'Utah une prochaine fois.
Pour 2020 nous allons donc nous orienter vers un Denver-Denver en axant sur Yellowstone et le Dakota du Sud.
Apres un premier road trip en aout 2016 de trois semaines (itineraires classiques) nous souhaitons cet été nous remettre sur les routes. A l'epoque ce forum me…
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Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
