Voilà, nous sommes 4 et ça fait un petit moment que je planche sur notre itinéraire dans l'Ouest américain. Nous partons le 16 juillet et revenons le 23, soit plus de 5 semaines de périple.
Voici le programme:
J1 : Jackson Hole, nuit au El Rancho Motel
J2 : Grand Teton NP, nuit dans l'une des Lake Lodge Cabins, Yellowstone
J3 : Yellowstone NP, nuit dans l'une des Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
J4 : Yellowstone NP, nuit au Mammoth Hotel
J5 à J7: Yellowstone NP, nuits au Alpine Motel, West Yellowstone
J8 : route vers Salt Lake City, nuit sur place
J9 à 11 : Arches NP et Canyon Land : Island in the Sky, nuits au Inca Inn, Moab
J12 : Canyon Land : the Needles, nuit au Days Inn de Monticello
J13 : Route vers Monument Valley pour y être en fin d'après-midi, nuit au nouvel hôtel qui devrait bientôt ouvrir: the View @ Monument Valley
J14 et 15 : Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, etc..., nuits au Bashful Bob Motel, Page
J16 : Route vers Escalante via la Cottonwood Road si le temps le permet, nuit au Rainbow Country B&B, Escalante
J17 et 18 : Escalante State Park, Bryce Canyon NP..., nuits au Stepping Stone Motel de Tropic
J19 : Zion NP (à peu près 2 heures de route entre Tropic et Zion selon Google Maps), nuit au Zion Lodge
J20 : Route vers Grand Canyon North Rim (à peu près 4 heures, selon Google Maps), nuit au Grand Canyon Lodge
J21 : Grand Canyon South Rim, nuit au Maswik Lodge
J22 et 23 : Las Vegas
J24 et 25: Death Valley NP, nuits au Stovepipe Wells Village, dans le parc
J26 : route vers Sequoia NP
J27 : Sequoia NP puis route vers San Francisco (nuit dans un motel, sur le chemin?)
J28 à 30 : San Francisco, hébergement chez un ami
J31 : début de la remontée vers le nord, nuit à Crescent City, Californie?
J32 : continuation de la route vers le nord, nuit à Portland, Oregon
J33 : Route 101 en remontant la cote de l'Oregon jusqu'à Kalaloch, Washington
J34 : Olympic NP (Hoh Rain Forest)
J35 : Olympic NP (Olympic springs, Hurricane Ridge)
J36 : Victoria en Colombie Britanique
J37 : Seattle
J38 : départ
Il est prévu que nous louions un 4x4, ce qui nous permettra d'emprunter certaines pistes (dont la Cottonwood Road): il y aura 2 conducteurs qui se relaieront tout au long du voyage.
Nous avons déjà effectué certaines réservations, notamment dans les parcs nationaux (certains logements sont déjà complets), afin de profiter du taux de change actuel. Notre parti-pris est clair: alterner des logements aux localisations exceptionnelles (nuits dans les parcs nationaux, à Monument Valley), donc chers, et des hébergements plus modestes.
Nous avons prévu de faire un maximum de petites randonnées dans les parcs nationaux que nous visiterons: j'espère que le planning nous en laissera le temps. Je ne me fais pas de souci pour Yellowstone (5 jours complets sur place - ce sera ma seconde visite), Arches (1 journée entière), Island in the Sky (1 journée entière), the Needles (1 journée entière), Bryce (1 journée entière) mais regrette un peu de ne passer qu'une après-midi et une petite matinée à Zion. Tant pis... Idem pour Sequoia qui ne constitue qu'une halte sur la route de SF.
Les trajets un peu longs seront entrecoupés d'arrêts en chemin, histoire de profiter d'un coin sympa, d'un point de vue... Si vous connaissez des endroits à visiter sur la route entre deux points de chute, n'hésitez pas. Pour ma part, je fais une petite liste à partir, entre autres, du très bon site www.ouest-usa.fr .
Vous noterez que le début du voyage est plus abouti que la fin, en particulier la dernière semaine. Je dois dire que les ressources Internet ou papier pour préparer un périple sur la côte nord-ouest des USA sont bien moins nombreuses... J'attends la livraison du Rough Guide Pacific Northwest, commandé d'occasion aux USA car introuvable en France (c'est, je trouve, l'un des meilleurs guides qui existe).
Tous les commentaires, toutes les suggestions seront les bienvenus.
Très bel itinéraire, étapes bien choisies pour ces cinq semaines dans l'ouest américain.
Deux suggestions:
Plutôt que de visiter le North Rim un jour puis le South Rim le jour suivant, j'aurais choisi seulement un de ces deux versants du Grand Canyon. Le sud est le plus visité (trop l'été) car il est plus facile d'accès - on dit aussi qu'il offre des vues plus spectaculaires - tandis que le versant nord est bien plus paisible et plus boisé - c'est une atmosphère complètement différente. C'est donc une bonne idée de vouloir voir les deux mais vous risquez de passer plus de temps dans la voiture pour relier les deux endroits (4 ou 5 heures de route il me semble) que de ne profiter vraiment du Grand Canyon.
Entre Sequoia et San Francisco, il faudrait inclure un passage à Yosemite National Park (entre 3 et 4 heures de route à l'ouest de SF). Peut-être pourriez-vous enlever un des deux jours prévus à Las Vegas et ajouter ainsi une journée à Yosemite ?
Très beau et gros trajet que tu prépares !
Quelques remarques :
Je ne suis pas sûr que faire une nuit sur la north rim et la suivante sur la south rim du Grand Canyon soit judicieux, beaucoup de route (environ 6h ou plus selon la circulation dans le park) peu palpitante entre les deux, vu la période et donc la foule à envisager, si tu ne prévois pas de vol hélico ou autre, faire le nord uniquement pourquoi pas.
Un jour plein dans death valley, à la période ou tu y vas, en journée, tu vas avoir très très chaud et cela limite beaucoup les possibilités de ballades.
Death Valley à Sequoia c'est 7h de route sans les stops pour visites et ballades, dommage à la saison ou tu y seras de na pas faire Yosemite par la Tioga Pass qui est ouverte.
Pour ce qui est de la remontée par la côte vers Seattle, entre San Francisco et Crescent City, quelques stops ou visites possibles : Bodega Bay, Point Arena, Mendocino, Fort Bragg, Shelter Cove (http://www.sheltercove-lostcoast.com/sc/ ), Redwoods ( http://redwoods.info/ ), Avenue of the Giants ( http://avenueofthegiants.net/ )
Il faudrait peut-être creuser l'idée de Sequoia Park. Parce que faire le grand tour par le Sud plutôt que de traverser par Yosemite est un choix possible ... par contre comme tu repasses par le Redwood Sequoia Park après SF, tu pourrais zapper éventuellement Sequoia Park . C'est une idée bien que ce ne soient pas les mêmes types de séquoias, il faut le savoir.
Difficile de faire les 2 dans ton timing car la montée vers Seattle devra être rapide ... tu vas pas trop profiter de la côte à mon avis.
Va falloir tracer par la Nationale pour garder 2 jours mini sur Olympic 🤪
1 jour pour Lake Quinault + Hoh Rain s'il pleut pas avec dodo à Forks
1 jour pour rejoindre Port Angeles + Hurricane Ridge dans l'APM et dodo Port Angeles
1 jour en ferry pour Victoria
Bonjour et merci à tous d'avoir répondu à mon message.
Pour North Rim et South Rim, je pense qu'effectivement, il n'est pas très judicieux de faire les deux bords et personnellement, je me contenterai bien de North Rim en prenant le temps de me balader. Par contre, un des amis qui part avec nous tiens à faire un tour d'hélico, ce qui nous oblige effectivement à passer au sud. Je vais cependant essayer de le faire changer d'avis.
Pour Sequoia NP, je préfèrerais moi aussi passer par Yosemite NP, ce qui aurait aussi l'avantage de nous faire passer par Mono Lake. La route me semble aussi plus sympa. Je vais aussi essayer de convaincre mes coéquipiers. Le souci, c'est qu'ils connaissent bien Yosemite NP et Mono Lake pour y avoir été plusieurs fois: c'est d'ailleurs pour cela que nous avions prévu de passer par Sequoia NP, parc inconnu de tous. Mais c'est vrai que ça nous fait faire un gros détour par le sud.
Effectivement, la remontée vers le nord nous permettra de voir de beaux spécimens d'arbres, ce qui rend une visite "éclair" de Sequoia NP un tout petit peu moins essentielle. Avenue of the Giants a l’air absolument magnifique…
Les USA sont vraiment exceptionnels : il y a tant de choses à voir…
J'oubliais: pour Death Valley, nous avons prévu de passer une journée entière sur place pour nous promener le matin tôt et an fin d'après-midi. En milieu de journée, ce sera sieste et piscine. 😎
Bonjour,
Le parcours est bien vu dans sa globalité.
J'ai les mêmes sentiments que les forumeurs précédents. 😏
comme tu en es à plusieurs visites, il vaut mieux effectivement voir des choses inconnues que rabachées, même si elles sont superbes.
L'été prochain je passe au bout de bryce canyon mais ne m'y arrêterai pas (en principe) car j'ai d'autres choses à voir.
Concernant le tour en hélico au-dessus du grand canyon, il doit y avoir des départs (plus onéreux) depuis Las Vegas. Cela permet pour l'un de voler et pour les autres de faire autre chose.
Bonne journée.
😏
Pour aller de San Francisco à Crescent par la route côtière 1 et 101, google maps indique 395 Mi et 8 h 45 sans arrêt. En réalité on met beaucoup plus de temps justement à cause des arrêts qu'on peut faire, s'arrêter admirer un panorama, prendre des photos, pique-niquer etc.
Sur cette route les arrêts possibles sont Redwoods National Park, Humboldt Redwood SP, Eureka pour la vieille ville, etc.
Pour aller de Crescent à Kalaloch toujours par la route côtière 101 il faut compter 517 Mi et 10 h 25 toujours sans les arrêts
A mon avis si vous voulez passer du temps à Olympic NP il faudrait peut être plutôt prendre la Hwy5, 891 Mi de San Francisco à Kalaloch.
A quelques km de Medfort sur la Hwy 5 arrêt possible à Jacksonville Historic Distric, au dessus de Eugène, dans les environs, il y a des pont couverts.
quelques sites : www.Redwoods.info
www.visitcalifornia.com
www.traveloregon.com
superbe periple.
entre SF et seattle, faire etape à Ferndale plutot que crescent city . cela a un tout autre charme .
idem pour portland, selon moi à eviter, plutot rouler une heure de plus et faire halte dans la columbia river valley .
avenue of the giants pour les sequoias .
à +
Suite à vos suggestions, j'ai discuté avec mes amis. Nous maintiendrons les visites des deux bords du Grand Canyon (tour en hélico depuis South Rim oblige), en prévoyant un arrêt du côté du Lees Ferry pour couper un peu la route. Personnellement, j'aimerais beaucoup emprunter le Cathedral Wash jusqu'au Colorado, histoire de sortir de la voiture au milieu du parcours.
Par contre, nous suivrons vos conseils à la sortie de Death Valley: direction Lake Mono et Yosemite. J'ai vu qu'il y avait des sources chaudes sur le chemin, argument qui m'a servi à convaincre tout le monde (ça et un parcours plus court que par Sequoia).
Pour le nord, je note toutes vos bonnes idées et vos remarques pratiques. J'avoue que cette remontée me frustre un peu car nous allons devoir faire beaucoup de route et VITE. J'attends toujours mon guide: je compte le potasser et prendre mon temps pour élaborer un itinéraire viable.
Connaissez-vous un hotel/motel pas trop cher du côté de Mammoth Lakes ou de Lee Vining ?
Concernant Zion :
Si vous ne vous levez pas trop tard, et ne faites que la partie principale (avec les autobus imposés), une matinée est largement suffisante pour marcher (avec de bonnes pentes) dans un très joli cadre verdoyant durant 2-3heures, avant de prendre la route.
Deux amis et moi avons décidé de partir 5 semaines sur la côte ouest des Etats Unis... nous avons 17 et 18 ans c'est donc un premier voyage entre ami aussi…
Photographie et vidéo en voyage › États-Unis · 10 replies
Il y a un an nous faisions un voyage de 5 semaines dans le sud-ouest des USA de Los Angeles à Phoenix. Je voudrais remercier ici les nombreuses personnes qui…
Sites personnels des membres › États-Unis · 1 reply
Nous sommes partis 5 semaines dans l'ouest des Usa lors de l'été 2009. Nous étions 5: 2 adultes et 3 enfants (7, 11 et 13 ans). Nous avons privilégié le…
Sites personnels des membres › États-Unis · 3 replies
Cet été j ai eu la chance de partir 5 semaines dans l ouest américain.. ce fut un voyage magnifique, un truc de fou!! ce voyage me hante constamment, j y pense…
Depuis des années à espérer, à attendre, à preparer puis à changer, à économiser, à chercher le meilleur parcours possible... ça y est ENFIN, nous partirons…
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!
