bonjour !
je suis en préparatifs d'un second voyage dans l'ouest avec des amis qui eux n'ont jamais traversé l'Atlantique, il y a qq années nous avions fait Antelope Canyon upper , un vrai bonheur presque sans touriste, je me disait que nous ferions cette fois lower Antelope Canyon ( avec les touristes je sais mais c'etait histoire de changer et de leur faire découvrir une petite merveille il faut bien le dire...)
mais en lisant les carnets de voyages plus récents je lis que c'est devenu de vraies usines à touristes qui sans en enlever la beauté ont perdu de leur charme tellement il y avait de monde ....
BREF ma question est : dois poursuivre dans cette voie malgré le monde, ou y a t il d'autres Slot canyons peut etre moins beaux et accessibles dans la région mais avec moins de monde que nous pourrions visiter sans avoir un guide obligatoirement ??
sachant que nous alons nous balader dans le coin en faisant la piste cottonwood ...
merci par avance de vos retours et vos réponses !
bonne journée
virginie
la floride: du soleil en hiver ...et des pelicans!https://voyageforum.com/v.f?do=post_edit;post=7663240; 10 jours en famille entre New-York et Brooklyn https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=7617123;#7617123
ma petite tribu au "far west" americainhttps://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4415639;#4415639
sans doute mais pour nous ce sera aout avec tous les touristes !!!😕
pas le choix......
la floride: du soleil en hiver ...et des pelicans!https://voyageforum.com/v.f?do=post_edit;post=7663240; 10 jours en famille entre New-York et Brooklyn https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=7617123;#7617123
ma petite tribu au "far west" americainhttps://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4415639;#4415639
J'étais à Lower Antelope en aout 2017, et je ne sais pas si on est tombé un jour exceptionnel, mais il y avait un peu de monde mais pas tant que ça. On est entré dans le canyon environ 15 minutes après notre arrivée, et une fois dedans, bien sur on ne pouvait pas trainer mais on avait quand meme le temps de faire des photos et le guide lui-meme en a pris plusieurs de notre groupe à différents endroits.
Maintenant, si tu veux vraiment des endroits tranquilles, tu as "waterholes canyon" que tu peux faire sans guide mais avec un permis Navajo, ou un des autres canyons (owl, rattlesnake...) à faire avec un guide (donc assez cher).
Il existe une manière quasiment inconnue de découvrir Antelope Canyon autrement : en kayak ! Tu pars de la marina (entrée gratuite avec le Pass America), tu loues des kayaks pour la journée et tu remontes Antelope Canyon jusqu'à ce qu'il n'y ait plus d'eau (ça dépend de la hauteur du lac). Ensuite, suivant le temps qu'il te reste, tu peux continuer à pied.
Certes, tu ne verras pas la partie "fermée" d'Antelope, mais l'expérience est vraiment fabuleuse!
Un peu plus au nord, en Utah, tu as aussi beaucoup de magnifiques slots canyons dans le Grand Staircase : Dry Fork, Peekaboo et Spooky Gulch par exemple, pour ne citer que ceux qui sont le long de la Hole in the rock road. Et là, l'accès est libre 😎.
En sortant de la Cottonwood, il faut aller jusqu'à Escalante et prendre la piste qui redescend le lac Powell.
merci de vos retours,
je me penche en effet sur watherholes canyon qui me semble bien autant sur la partie haute que basse...
le kayak est une bonne idée auquelle on avait pensé mais j'avais peur de ne pas aller assez vite pour profiter de tous les recoins du lac ...
et concernant les slots canyons sur la hole in the rock on les a déjà fait et on s'est bien amusé dans spooky gulch en effet et personne !!
mais cette fois ce n'est pas trop sur notre parcours...
je pense que Waterholes sera un bon compromis, et les avis sont plutot bons ...😎
la floride: du soleil en hiver ...et des pelicans!https://voyageforum.com/v.f?do=post_edit;post=7663240; 10 jours en famille entre New-York et Brooklyn https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=7617123;#7617123
ma petite tribu au "far west" americainhttps://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4415639;#4415639
Très sympa ton article sur Antelope Canyon en kayak ! Merci pour le partage.
J'ai eu la chance de découvrir Lowder Antelope Canyon en liberté totale (sans guide), avec presque aucun visiteur, pendant 3 heures il y a quelques années... chose désormais impossible !
L'option kayak me plaît bien pour une prochaine. Je vois que vous y étiez en septembre, était-ce encore à des températures estivales ? Début ou fin septembre ?
Je pense retourner vers Page en octobre 2019, je me demande si c'est faisable à cette période, à cause de la température de l'eau.... Evidemment, nul ne peut dire le temps qu'il fera à ce moment 😄, mais à l'inverse, on sait que certaines activités sont de toute façon impossibles à partir d'une certaine date à cause du froid... Je sais qu'en avril/mai par exemple, ce n'est pas envisageable. Je n'ai pas trouvé d'info à ce sujet sur le site lakepowellhouseboating.com que tu mentionnes sur ton blog... Du coup ton vécu en septembre, selon la période, m'intéresse !
Très sympa ton article sur Antelope Canyon en kayak ! Merci pour le partage.
J'ai eu la chance de découvrir Lowder Antelope Canyon en liberté totale (sans guide), avec presque aucun visiteur, pendant 3 heures il y a quelques années... chose désormais impossible !
L'option kayak me plaît bien pour une prochaine. Je vois que vous y étiez en septembre, était-ce encore à des températures estivales ? Début ou fin septembre ?
Je pense retourner vers Page en octobre 2019, je me demande si c'est faisable à cette période, à cause de la température de l'eau.... Evidemment, nul ne peut dire le temps qu'il fera à ce moment 😄, mais à l'inverse, on sait que certaines activités sont de toute façon impossibles à partir d'une certaine date à cause du froid... Je sais qu'en avril/mai par exemple, ce n'est pas envisageable. Je n'ai pas trouvé d'info à ce sujet sur le site lakepowellhouseboating.com que tu mentionnes sur ton blog... Du coup ton vécu en septembre, selon la période, m'intéresse !
Quelle chance d'avoir pu découvrir Antelope Canyon en liberté!!
On y était fin septembre.
On n'a pas trop eu (ou plutôt pris) le temps de tester la température de l'eau (si ce n'est quelques pas, plutôt dans la vase, au fond du canyon), mais je pense qu'en octobre, ce doit toujours être faisable.
On avait pris des licra, il n'y a pas de raison de passer à l'eau involontairement donc ce serait à refaire en octobre, je le referrai. Peut-être en rajoutant juste un coupe-vent 😎
Par contre, je ne sais pas dire si la location de kayak est ouverte toute l'année... Renseignes toi peut-être sur ce point.
Je viens de lire ce commentaire posté le 1er mai 2018 sur Tripadvisor:
"Depuis aujourd’hui, le site est géré par une compagnie privée qui demande 50$ pour avoir une visite guidée du canyon. Plus aucune randonnée seule possible. Plus de pass Navajo 12$ possible."
Je suppose qu'il s'agit de Waterholes Canyon.
Rien d'étonnant à cela. On pouvait même se demander comment ce n'était pas arrivé plus tôt (exemple Antelope).
Heureusement le coin et Grand Staircase (pas loin) regorgent de slots............... qui ne sont pas sur des réserves indiennes.
Quelques slots accessibles sans difficultés particulières :
Grand Stairecase sur la Hole in the Rock Road :
- Peek A Boo
- Spooky Gukch
- Zebra Slot (à un degré moindre)
Grand Staircase près de Cannonville :
- Willis Creek
Environs de Page :
- Bucskin Gulch
- Et en bateau par le lac Powell : Antelope Canyon (ne pas confondre avec la partie par accès terrestre), West canyon, Face Canyon, Labyrinth Canyon............. et des dizaines d'autres.
San Rafael Swell :
Crack Canyon
Ouest de Zion :
Kannara Creek
Bonjour, quand nous étions en juillet dernier, première visite du jour (réservée en avance), c'était nickel. Pas de monde, pas de bus, pas d'embouteillage, température confortable.
ils ont vraiment décidé d'exploiter commercialement toutes les moindres parcelles de Page....
on va finir par ne plus avoir envie d'y aller... mais c'est si beau ....
la floride: du soleil en hiver ...et des pelicans!https://voyageforum.com/v.f?do=post_edit;post=7663240; 10 jours en famille entre New-York et Brooklyn https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=7617123;#7617123
ma petite tribu au "far west" americainhttps://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4415639;#4415639
Certes, mais PAGE, c'est du tourisme de masse et le canyon est sur une réserve Navajo (ils n'ont pas l'habitude de faire dans la dentelle , voir Antelope).
Et franchement Waterholes est bien loin de valoir le prix.
Il y a nettement mieux à faire (mon précédent post).
oui c'est bien dommage....
les autres options ont déjà été faites ou pas sur le parcours prévu...
donc je vais voir pour Burskin gulch... ou wire pass.... (lequel préférez vous ?? ou le plus facile )
ou payer Antelope.....🤪
la floride: du soleil en hiver ...et des pelicans!https://voyageforum.com/v.f?do=post_edit;post=7663240; 10 jours en famille entre New-York et Brooklyn https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=7617123;#7617123
ma petite tribu au "far west" americainhttps://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4415639;#4415639
Wire Pass est juste l'entrée pour Buckskin Gulch. Wire Pass c'est 6km A/R et Buckskin Gulch peut aller jusqu'à 20km. En principe sur la journée, on va jusqu'à Confluence et retour.
SUPER MERCI !!! ce sera donc wire pass et plus si affinités !!!😎
la floride: du soleil en hiver ...et des pelicans!https://voyageforum.com/v.f?do=post_edit;post=7663240; 10 jours en famille entre New-York et Brooklyn https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=7617123;#7617123
ma petite tribu au "far west" americainhttps://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4415639;#4415639
Merci ! J'ai toujours la crainte des flash floods. Je sais qu'il faut scruter la météo et parler aux rangers mais les inondations d'un canyon n'arrivent pas forcément car il pleut au-dessus du canyon, mais parfois à des dizaines de kilomètres. Or un orage localisé et lointain est difficilement prévisible par les spécialistes.
Absolument, ces deux canyons sont géniaux! ( Peek a Boo et spooky)
si vous êtes dans le coin, je vous conseille vivement Goden Cathédral au fond de Neon Canyon. Ce n'est pas un slot canyon, mais la balade est magnifique. Comptez 2 heures à l'aller et un peu plus au retour. Plus d'infos si vous le désirez.
Désolé de remonter ce post mais cette option m'intéresse beaucoup 😛
Quelques questions du coup:
- c'est vraiment 2 heures depuis la marina? Sur la carte ça a l'air tellement proche ? 😄
- on peut y accéder avec d'autres types de bateaux? ou des jetskis par exemple ?
Le sujet est dans le titre. Merci pour les premiers éléments de réponse apportés dans "Avis sur itinéraire de 3 semaines..." ci-dessous. Trois 14: je vais…
Pouvez vous me dire lequel de ces 2 canyons est le plus accessible? Zebra slot ou Peek a boo? Temps d'accès du parking au slot, et facilité pour trouver si on…
La question est dans le titre: quels sont vos plus beaux slot canyons? Ce post est purement occupationnel, mon corps est emprisonné mais ma tête voyage... Si…
Je prépare un voyage dans ce coin en avril 2015 et j'avais du mal à m'y retrouver entre les diverses possibilités. J'ai donc essayé de faire une synthèse de…
A friend is renting a car for an upcoming trip during the All Saints' holiday.
Nowadays, all rental cars come with GPS, but do you know if you can use it without paying for the GPS rental? I have no idea since I always use my own!
Hello everyone,
We’ve planned a trip (retired couple) for late August to the first half of September in Western Canada.
Classic itinerary: arrival in Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Clearwater, Whistler, Vancouver Island, departure from Vancouver.
I know you can’t see into the future any better than I can, so I’m obviously not asking what the wildfire situation will be like in a month...
But if any of you could let me know if, CURRENTLY, there are major difficulties—not just for locals, of course, but for tourists as well?
We’re hesitating between taking the chance or canceling what we still can.
We’re not young anymore and don’t have the flexibility we once did...
A thousand thanks to those of you on the ground or with contacts there who can help us make this decision!
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).
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?
We went as a family to Mount Rushmore in 2023, where my son bought a multi-function pocket knife like the one below with his name engraved—'NOAH'.
Unfortunately, he just lost it, and he was really attached to it. So, if there’s a kind soul passing by Mount Rushmore who could bring one back for me (I’d obviously cover all costs), that would be amazing for my son.
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 🙂
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
