Let me introduce myself. I’m 45 and traveling with my husband and my daughter, who’ll be 17 soon. We’re used to road-trip-style vacations, in the US or elsewhere. This will be our 5th trip to the US. We’ve already visited several states: New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington DC, Florida, Wyoming, South Dakota, California, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.
I’d like to plan another trip starting from Denver to Colorado and New Mexico, which we haven’t explored yet, with a stop in a part of Arizona we haven’t visited before.
So, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary if you’re familiar with the area. We’ll be traveling in the summer of 2026—admittedly not the best time for this route, but it’s the only time we can all get away for long enough. I’m also tied to the dates for Cheyenne Frontier Days, which we want to attend at the start of the trip.
Thanks in advance for your input!
Day 1: Departure from Frankfurt > Arrival in Denver around 3 PM.
Night in Denver
Day 2: Denver > Cheyenne
Quick visit to Denver
Drive to Cheyenne in the late afternoon
2-hour drive
Night in Cheyenne
Day 3: Cheyenne Frontier Days
Night in Cheyenne
Day 4: Cheyenne > Estes Park (Rocky Mountains)
Frontier Days during the day.
Departure in the late afternoon for Estes Park
2-hour drive
Night in Estes Park
Day 5: Hiking in the Rocky Mountains
Nights in Estes Park
Day 6: Estes Park > Glenwood Springs
We’ll take the day to drive the scenic route and stop at various viewpoints.
Night in Glenwood Springs
Day 7: Glenwood Springs
Hiking the Hanging Lake Trail + relaxing in the hot springs
Night in Glenwood Springs
Day 8: Glenwood Springs > Montrose
Visit Colorado NM along the way
3.5-hour drive
Night in Montrose
Day 9: Black Canyon
Night in Montrose
Day 10: Montrose > Farmington
Visit Durango (without taking the train), Ouray, or Silverton along the way?
3.5-hour drive
Night in Farmington
Day 11: Farmington > Chinle
Bisti Badlands until early afternoon
3-hour drive
Night in Chinle
Day 12: Chinle > Sedona
Canyon de Chelly in the morning
4-hour drive
Night in Sedona
Day 13 - 14: Hiking in Sedona
Nights in Sedona
Day 15: Sedona > Tucson
Saguaro West Park
3.5-hour drive
Night at a ranch in Tucson
Day 16 - 17: Tucson
City visit in the morning + ranch activities in the afternoon
Nights at a ranch in Tucson
Day 18: > Wilcox
Chiricahua NP
1-hour drive
Night in Wilcox
Day 19: Wilcox > Alamogordo
White Sands in the late afternoon
4.5-hour drive
Night in Alamogordo
Day 20: Alamogordo > Carlsbad
White Sands in the morning
Bat viewing in the evening at Carlsbad
4.5-hour drive
Night in Carlsbad
Day 21: Carlsbad > Albuquerque
Cave visit in the morning
Quick stop in Roswell
4.25-hour drive
Night in Albuquerque
Day 22: Albuquerque > Santa Fe
Visit Albuquerque
1-hour drive
Night in Santa Fe
Day 23: Santa Fe
Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks in the morning
Visit Santa Fe in the afternoon
Night in Santa Fe
Day 24: Santa Fe
Bandelier in the morning
Visit Santa Fe in the afternoon
Night in Santa Fe
Day 25: Santa Fe > Alamosa
Taos Pueblo along the way
Great Sand Dunes in the late afternoon
Zapata Falls
Night in Alamosa
Day 26: Alamosa > Denver
4-hour drive
Departure around 7 PM
Looking forward to your suggestions, corrections, and feedback!
I only know part of your itinerary starting from Day 15.
On Day 12, I didn’t really enjoy Canyon de Chelly that much. It seems you need to take an organized 4x4 tour to truly appreciate it, which isn’t my thing.
However, your West USA experience doesn’t mention it, but from Canyon de Chelly, you’re not too far from Monument Valley—a must-see—along with nearby Valley of the Gods, which is way less touristy.
For Day 16, instead of visiting Tucson (which is of limited interest, aside from a fantastic aviation museum—if you’re into that, which I am!), I’d check out the Sonora Desert "Museum" (more like a zoo, but one that respects the animals).
Days 17/18: Between Tucson and Wilcox, aren’t you taking the classic detour to Tombstone and Bisbee? It’s touristy, sure, but still interesting.
Day 22: Did I miss something? I don’t recall there being much to see in Albuquerque. Two hours in the historic center was enough for us. Could you gain a day for other visits?
Day 25: Personally, I like to get closer to the return airport on the last day to avoid any road hiccups. Your day is packed, but if it were me, I’d start heading toward Denver. Maybe stop near Colorado Springs and take one last little stroll in the area the next morning/afternoon?
I only know part of your itinerary starting from Day 15.
On Day 12, I didn’t really like Canyon de Chelly all that much. It seems you need to take an organized 4x4 tour to truly appreciate it, which isn’t my thing.
But, since your West USA experience doesn’t mention it, from Canyon de Chelly you’re not too far from Monument Valley—a must-see—along with nearby Valley of the Gods, which is way less touristy.
Thanks for your feedback. I included Canyon de Chelly to break up the drive and visit a park I hadn’t seen before. I’ve already been to Monument Valley and loved it. I even considered going back there at first, but then I thought it’d be a shame not to visit somewhere new... So now I’m wondering 😎
For Day 16, instead of visiting Tucson—which is of limited interest (aside from a great aviation museum, if you’re into that—and I am!), I’d check out the Sonora Desert "Museum" (more like a zoo, but one that respects the animals).
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll look into it. My stay in Tucson will mostly focus on activities at the ranch where we’re staying. We’ll explore the area for a few hours during the day, but it’ll be pretty chill for this part of the trip.
Days 17/18: Between Tucson and Wilcox, aren’t you taking the classic detour to Tombstone and Bisbee? It’s touristy, sure, but still interesting.
I’d seen it but got mixed reviews, so I was on the fence about the detour 🙂
Day 22: Did I miss something? I don’t recall there being much to see in Albuquerque. Two hours in the historic center was enough for us. A whole day to spare for other visits?
I hesitated too. I thought it’d be a shame to drive by without stopping (plus, I loved *Breaking Bad* ;-)), but if it’s not worth it, why not use that day for Day 25 instead?
Day 25: Personally, I like to spend the last day getting closer to the return airport to avoid any road surprises. Your day is packed, but if it were me, I’d start heading toward Denver. Maybe a stop in Colorado Springs and a final little stroll in the area the next morning/afternoon?
I know the last day is risky, but since I can’t add another day, I went with this setup... So if I skip Albuquerque, maybe I can spend one night in Colorado Springs.
Thanks so much for your input!
I don’t have much feedback on this part of the USA.
What I really liked about Tombstone and Bisbee is that, despite the touristy side, there’s an interesting reenactment of life back in the day. Especially (and surprisingly!) at the Tombstone cemetery, where the staff at the welcome desk teach you about the lives of its "residents"—including the hardships of those who came seeking happiness but found only exploitation in the ranches and saloons.
I’m not sure which route you’re planning to take to Roswell (which I don’t know much about). But in the same vein, there’s the small town of Lincoln, famous for Billy the Kid’s last stand—he was sentenced to death but escaped from jail after killing the sheriff and his deputy. They’ve recreated some of the historic houses. We stumbled upon it kind of by accident.
Nothing extraordinary, but it might be worth a small detour.
Good evening!
I passed through a few spots on your upcoming route (but in October).
Day 8: Colorado NM is an underrated park, in my opinion. Don’t hesitate to do a few hikes—there are several that aren’t too long.
Day 9: Black Canyon (see photo) didn’t wow me; in fact, we were the only ones there during the visit. So, was it worth the whole day?
In Montrose, Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery has a great vibe and good food (not just pizza).
Day 10: Ouray and Silverton can be explored quickly—everything’s on Main Street. Skipping the train in Durango is a shame (photo), and the town itself is really nice.
Day 13: Sedona—plan your movements carefully. Several trailheads are only accessible by shuttle.
Day 22: Albuquerque and Santa Fe—I only found the Old Town districts interesting. I’d do Albuquerque in the morning and Santa Fe in the afternoon.
Day 23: The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks loop is a fantastic hike.
Denver: It’s a pity not to visit downtown and the buildings around the Capitol.
I had a fantastic time at Canyon de Chelly this year, whereas the first time I went, I wasn’t really into it. Goes to show you should always give places another try.
And you don’t need a 4x4 tour. There’s a really nice little hike starting at White House Ruins that lets you descend into the canyon.
I’d definitely recommend adding it back to your next trip. 😉
I actually did this trip, but I think I’m just not into this kind of landscape. Mesa Verde, which I tried to revisit this summer to avoid ending on a disappointment, left us just as indifferent as the first time.
I actually did that hike, but I think I’m just not into that kind of landscape. We tried Mesa Verde again this summer to avoid ending on a disappointment, but it left us just as indifferent as the first time.
Hey, I’m heading to Mesa Verde soon—could you tell me why you didn’t like it?
Yeah, I get that everyone experiences places differently.
I loved my visit to Canyon de Chelly this year.
I have to admit Mesa Verde never really appealed to me. It’s missing that canyon feel...
I think this must be the less spectacular side that we’re used to seeing in parks in general... Personally, I’m getting more and more into things that happen away from the big parks because there are fewer tourists. So I think Mesa Verde will be on the itinerary for my next road trip. I’d love to hear your feedback!
Hello, I’m heading to Mesa Verde soon—could you tell me why you didn’t like it?
We didn’t enjoy it because there isn’t much to see. The landscapes are just okay compared to everything else you can see on this kind of route (though there are a few nice viewpoints). Spruce Tree is no longer open for visits.
When we were there, the road to Wetherill Mesa was closed. That said, during a previous visit (yes, I went back because I didn’t want to leave with a bad impression after already not loving it the first time!), we still found it pretty underwhelming.
By chance, we followed a guided tour group at different spots (in English, but that’s fine for us). It was interesting to learn a bit about the history and way of life of the people who lived there, but without that, it’s pretty dull with little explanation given at the different sites.
Also, the hotel options in Cortez aren’t great and they’re expensive.
For all these reasons—and because it’s out of the way—I didn’t think the detour was worth it.
If you do go, book Cliff Palace as soon as tickets open (14 days in advance), and if you can, reserve the first tour of the day so you can take photos without the group ahead of you—it’s a bit of a conveyor belt! The only downside is that it’s a good hour’s drive from Cortez, so you’ll have to get up early!
Actually, I’m planning to go next week—I’m already in the US—but I haven’t booked a hotel in Cortez yet.
I did see the Retro Inn, which looks fun, around $100.
Anyway, I looked into it more, and it seems Whetherill Road is still closed.
Do you know if we can go off-road in this park, or is it all paved?
No, there are no dirt tracks on the site. Just paved roads that loop around the points of interest.
Worth visiting or not? Maybe you should make up your own mind, but you won’t know until you’ve been!
My disappointment came from: 1) A site that was only moderately interesting, especially with part of it closed 2) A park that’s way off the beaten path, and I’d have preferred to spend the day “lost” somewhere else 3) A crappy hotel (though that wasn’t the case the last time, even though we still weren’t blown away by the site).
Well, we'll see depending on the route we take whether we do it or not!
But thanks again for the info about that road closure in the park—it’ll help with the decision.
One thing’s for sure: I’m definitely hitting Chaco Historical Park and those dozens of kilometers of dirt roads to get there. The rental company gave me a big 4x4 instead of the SUV I’d booked, so might as well put it to use!
I’ll post a little trip report when I’m back, covering the standout spots—or the disappointing ones.
Here’s the account of my visit to Bandelier during my 2018 trip.
Make sure to arrive early to avoid waiting for the shuttles and standing in line.
I’m also sharing the link to my travel journal with photos, which might be similar to yours.
Happy planning!
Sunday, September 23rd
We got up early again this morning to arrive at the entrance of Bandelier National Monument before 8:30 AM and skip the shuttle. Breakfast was served starting at 7:30 AM at the Sandia Peak Inn, but the receptionist had given us some items the night before—including tea—so we could have breakfast in our room before leaving. We really appreciated that.
We partly retraced the route from the day before, which had taken us to Tent Rock, then switched directions for Bandelier. There were plenty of signs pointing to parking areas for the shuttles, but we ignored them and arrived at the Visitor Center before 8:30 AM—still closed.
The place was very quiet, with few cars in the parking lot, and the park felt like it was all ours.
We set off into the woods for the Main Loop Trail, which took us from Kivas to circular villages and finally to the cliff dwellings. The weather was pleasant, the sun was rising, but the light wasn’t quite right for photos yet. We were almost alone—just one couple had passed before us. What a joy to explore this place like this! It felt different and even more moving than Mesa Verde.
Pouvez-vous me donner vos avis et conseils sur mon itinéraire pour notre 1er Road Trip dans l’Ouest Américain? Nous partirons de mi-septembre à mi-octobre,…
Voici notre carnet de voyage pour un road trip vers la cote ouest des US avec nos 2 ados, du 14.04 au 24.04.2019 Pour les billets: achetés au prix de 300€ A/R…
J'ai prévu de faire un voyage aux USA entre fin avril et mi-mai (du 26 avril au 16 mai). Le principe est de louer une voiture à San Francisco, de faire un…
Travailler, étudier et vivre à l'étranger › États-Unis · 2 replies
Bsr à tous svp j'ai vraiment besoin d aide je crois j'ai fait une erreur sur mon Ds160 au niveau de who payes for your trips??/c'tai o choix j'ai répondu self…
Petit retour suite à mon voyage en Floride du 21 mai au 9 juin 2016 Depuis mon dernier compte rendu de 2013, j’ai pris l’habitude de voyager en solo. Je me…
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!
