Hi there, Just back from 25 days in May 2025 in the American West—here are some practical tips that might help you plan your trip.

Flight: 2 tickets for 1270 € with British Airways (Lyon-LA, SF-Lyon) SIM card: 12GB from Sim USA for 39 €. Useful for looking up accommodation every late afternoon. 12GB was enough for us. Car rental: Booked with BSP Autos. 21 days = 538 € for a Jeep Compass SUV picked up at LA airport and dropped off at SF airport. An SUV isn’t essential at all, but since we had one, we did take some easy dirt roads. Driving is straightforward, highways are toll-free. Gas: Averaged $3.80/gallon = 1 €/liter. We drove 6700 km and spent $500 on gas. Big price differences between states, and even between stations in the same state. We checked Google Maps/fuel for the best deals. Water: Not recommended to drink tap water. We refilled two 3L bottles regularly at visitor centers in the parks and froze two 1L bottles overnight to keep water cool during the day. Money: Bring cash for tips and gas—sometimes cheaper when paying in cash. Accommodation: Averaged $100/night. Only the first night in LA was booked in advance. For the rest of the trip, we found places to stay (mostly motels outside the parks) near where we were each late afternoon by checking availability on Booking, among others. No issues finding places in May—the advantage was the freedom to improvise. For example, we’d planned to do the loop counterclockwise: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon. But seeing the forecast (3 days of snow and freezing temps at GC), we headed straight from JT to Las Vegas, did the loop clockwise, and by the time we got back to GC, the weather was perfect. Weather: Aside from the first 3 mixed days, we had perfect weather—20-30°C, except Death Valley (37°C) and SF (15°C). Food: Depends on your appetite. For us, snacks during the day, a bigger meal in the evening, plus miscellaneous extras—our budget was $40/day. Miscellaneous: The "America the Beautiful" pass is a must—80 $. Website: For us, the best site was roadtrippin’. Our itinerary: LA, Joshua Tree, Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Colorado National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Natural Bridges, Gooseneck Point, Canyon de Chelly, Painted Desert Park, Petrified Forest Park, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Route 66, LV, Red Rock Canyon Park, Death Valley, Sequoia Park, Yosemite Park, Big Sur-Monterey, San Francisco. 25 days—we didn’t lounge around, but we didn’t rush either. We took time in each park to drive the scenic routes, visit viewpoints, and do at least one hike (max 2 hours) per park.

Happy travels!

Hi everyone,

Quick question—I’m heading to New York soon and I’d love to know if you guys have any recommendations for websites where I can buy concert tickets?

Hi everyone, I’m planning to visit Monument Valley next Saturday after 3 days at the Grand Canyon. I saw on navajonationparks.org that some roads can be tricky during rainy periods. Is anyone there right now who could tell me what the road conditions are like in the park and whether it’s impassable with a regular rental car? Thanks so much in advance, Ruby

We were lucky enough to explore the American West a few years ago... a VERY fond travel memory. The urge to return to the USA is calling us...

We're heading out in August with our two grown sons: 21 and 18 years old.

We want to discover another part of the US and I found this itinerary on a website:

Day 1 - New Orleans Day 2 - New Orleans Day 3 - Natchez Day 4 - Dallas Day 5 - Dallas Day 6 - Dallas Day 7 - Austin Day 8 - Austin Day 9 - San Antonio Day 10 - San Antonio Day 11 - Houston Day 12 - Houston - NASA Day 13 - Lake Charles Day 14 - Lake Charles Day 15 - Lafayette Day 16 - Lafayette - White Castle Day 17 - White Castle - Vacherie (Oak Alley) Day 18 - New Orleans Day 19 - New Orleans Does this seem like too many cities?

We love: big landscapes, museums, history, and shopping.

What do you think?

Gaetano

Hi there, Do you have any tips for a 15-day road trip in the American West in 2025? We’ll be on the ground for about 15 days with a small to medium-sized group. Thanks! Also, thanks to the site for getting back up and running.

Here's a tip for future visitors!

https://www.foxnews.com/travel/3-national-parks-slash-red-tape-americans-boldly-transforming-visitor-entry

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, 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

Hello,

I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high. Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities? - Los Angeles - Las Vegas - San Francisco

Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?

Thanks so much, and have a great day, everyone!

Gertjan

Hi everyone, does anyone know how to get from Victoria to Tofino without a car? (ferry? Bus?) And once in Tofino, is it easy to get to Pacific Rim Park still without a car? Also, how do you get to Vancouver from Tofino afterward? Finally, do you know of any budget-friendly accommodation in Tofino? Thanks so much for your help!

Hi everyone, I’m heading to Greenland on August 18th, starting with a stopover on the east coast and then the west coast. Has anyone traveled there—say, last August—to tell me if the number of icebergs from the ice fjord was significant? Thanks, and have a great day!

Hi, I’m heading out soon to visit Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Olympic NP, which means I’ll be camping—a topic I’m totally new to. For me, just the camping part feels like a big adventure, even a challenge.

I was wondering if it’s easy to find camping gear in Denver or along the way to Grand Teton, especially at Walmart, or if it’d be smarter to buy everything in France? Are there other stores where I can pick up the essentials if Walmart isn’t an option?

Hi there, - Is tap water safe to drink everywhere in the U.S., or do you prefer bottled water? - How do you handle money? ★ Is cash preferred and more commonly used than card payments? ★ For ATM withdrawals, what are the fees? I’ve read that bank ATMs have lower fees than those in some stores—is that true? ★ Is the cashback trick used in the U.S. (e.g., for a $100 purchase, you pay $150, and the cashier gives you $50 in cash)? Thanks in advance to U.S. experts for your tips!

Hi there, I just got the "congratulations" email last night letting me know that our first-choice access to The Wave for June 16, 2025, was approved in the March 1st lottery draw! We thought we’d missed out since we hadn’t heard anything on the 1st or 2nd of March... It’s true that for the past two years, it’s no longer 10 and 10 people like before, but 48 and 16 who are allowed to enter the site through the two lottery processes. That helps balance out the surge in applications that must come with the place’s growing global fame... I haven’t found any info on this, but does anyone know how many applications are typically submitted each month per date for the Advanced Lottery? So, my somewhat lucky track record for 3 attempts: 2 successes for April 2009 and June 2025, and one miss for September 2011. We’re still a little nervous about the likely high temperatures, with hardly any shade or water on-site 😛. At Easter 2009, it had snowed a bit the day before... From what I remember, the access trail from Route 89 to Wire Pass Trailhead was doable without a 4x4, with a bit of ground clearance and careful driving (obviously no storms). A simple Toyota RAV4, like the one we’re planning to rent, should be fine in dry conditions? We’ll be heading there from Page on the morning of 06/16 (how long’s the drive?), then heading to Kanab for 3 nights in the evening. Thanks for any tips you might have! 😉

Hi, I’m reaching out to those familiar with British Columbia 😉 My son is on a Working Holiday Visa in Canada and is currently in Calgary. He’s found a great job in Quesnel, in the northern part of the province, starting in March. It seems like it’s a bit in the middle of nowhere, especially since he doesn’t have a car. Could you advise on the quickest way to get from Calgary to Saint-Georges, for example (I think it’s tough to go further by public transport)? Thanks for your help. Claire

Hello everyone, and a big THANK YOU to all the travelers who took the time to reply to my last post and tell me that doing South India in 28 days was a sweet utopia. My dear friends, you were absolutely right. After 4 days in Goa, I settled for exploring all of Karnataka and its beautiful UNESCO-listed temples, and I loved it. Kerala and Tamil Nadu will have to wait until next year when I can take 6 weeks off.

But the purpose of this post is to ask you which guide or website would be best to prepare for the BLUES TRAIL I’d like to do in September or October 2025 over a month: 3 weeks to travel the route, enjoy Nashville a bit too, and the last week to explore Louisiana. I saw that *Le Routard* has a guide on Louisiana. Where else can I find more info?

Thanks so much for your help. Take care of yourselves and happy travels. Régine

I'm struggling to fit everything into my West US itinerary (it's here!) and one way to relax it could be to skip Mesa Verde.

I quite liked it, but nothing more (I was actually pretty indifferent to Canyon de Chelly too). My partner hasn’t been there yet (first trip to the US, aside from a stay in NYC).

Any arguments for or against? Thanks in advance :)

Hello everyone!

We’re planning a trip to western Canada in September 2025. Here’s the route we’ve mapped out: - Calgary: 2 days - Lake Louise: 4 days, hikes around the lakes (L. Louise, L. Agnes, L. Moraine, L. Emerald) - Icefield Parkway - Jasper: 3 days, L. Maligne, Hot Springs - Fort Fraser - Prince Rupert - Inside Passage by boat - Port Hardy (Vancouver Island) - Port Alberni: 2 days, Cathedral Cove - Ucluelet: 2 days, Tofino - Victoria: 3 days - Crossing to Vancouver - Vancouver: 4 days Total: 27 days.

What do you think?

About the Inside Passage—has anyone here done it? Our only concern is the weather for that boat day between Prince Rupert and the northern part of Vancouver Island. Under clear skies, the landscapes are stunning. If it’s foggy or mediocre weather, well, we’ll have given it a shot! Just know you *have* to book the car passage way in advance.

Thanks for any tips or advice you can share! Cailleurs64

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?

Best,

Hi everyone! 🙂

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! 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!!

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 🙂

Hello, here’s a totally subjective recap of our 15-day road trip between Colorado and New Mexico, from late September to mid-October.

Our main interests are culture, museums, and landscapes—no hiking or trails for us. Personally, I’m pretty contemplative, and luckily, there’s always something to see out there! We’re pretty used to the US; we’ve been going there often for a long time (let’s just say we’re not exactly young anymore).

Budget: Even though we don’t set a strict budget beforehand, we try to keep costs as low as possible. This time, we managed to spend around 4000 € for two, all included. To do this: avoid expensive accommodations, staying between 60 and 120 € per night with an average of 90 €/night, mixing Airbnb and motels. And skip the “real” restaurants, which are pretty pricey in the US: sandwiches for lunch, takeout or cooking in the Airbnb in the evening. We shop at Sprouts or Whole Foods—organic-style chains that are pricier than Walmart but better. In the evenings, Sprouts has discounts on items that didn’t sell during the day. Also, avoid toll roads, paid parking, and overly expensive attractions or sites. The dispensary budget is separate…

Route: Denver/Colorado Springs/Alamosa/Raton/Santa Fe/Cuba/Cortez/Grand Junction/Glenwood Springs/Denver This wasn’t too planned in advance—we booked a few nights upon arrival and went with the flow. Flight from CDG to Denver with AF/Delta, car rental at Dollar for a standard SUV. The guy at the Dollar counter upsold me on extra insurance for flat tires (and since I knew we’d be off-roading, I took it). Without telling me, he upgraded me to a Jeep Sahara 4X4 Hybrid. Nice.

Listening to the news upon arrival, the anchor announced, “It’s officially fall now.” We hadn’t really thought about that before leaving, but yeah—it’s the time when the trees turn fluorescent yellow and red. Amazing.

Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods is a free park with paved trails winding through red/orange rock formations. Magical at sunrise—groups of deer roam around, along with birds and rabbits. It’s small but wow! Didn’t try the Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs, a staircase with thousands of steps going straight up the mountain. Impressive from the bottom, but the parking is paid, which is a downside for those willing to tackle it. The Cog Railway goes up to the summit of Pikes Peak—around $100 when we were there. No thanks. And of course, the parking is paid too. For fans, Maggie’s Farm dispensary is great.

On Route 24, Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area is fly-fishing paradise—just like in the movie *A River Runs Through It*. Entry is $11, and a trail follows the river at the bottom of the canyon to the dam. Dozens of people in waders are in the water, casting their lines over and over. You can see the salmon in the clear water, and we had a picnic in the sun, imagining Brad Pitt catching a fish.

Buena Vista: A cute little tourist town with an Outdoor Fair that day—some pretty impressive vehicles for sale, set up for mountain living (like Juniper outfitting a RAM).

Alamosa: The closest town to Great Sand Dunes National Park, crossed by the Rio Grande (and let’s be real—it’s more of a stream than a river!). Park access was free because it was National Park Day. A park with massive dunes—climbing them is pretty exhausting, with lots of wind and sinking sand. Glad we didn’t do it in summer; I can’t imagine how tough it’d be in the heat. It’s a bit deceptive: it looks easy to get to the top of a dune, but it’s really not. The campsites were nice, and it was busy that weekend. We passed the “Point of No Return,” a sandy trail winding through the hills and connecting to Route 559 from above. Didn’t go all the way, but it’s possible the entrance is free from that side. However, you need a 4X4 with good ground clearance. After 1 or 2 km on the trail, you’re alone between the dunes and hills—hardly anyone around. But tricky to turn around or pass other vehicles; the trail isn’t wide. We crossed paths with a Hanomag (registered in the Netherlands—impressive!) coming down without stopping, or risking getting stuck.

On the way out, we took the small Route 403, which quickly turns into a trail crossing the mountain. Entire sections of forest were turning fluorescent yellow with patches of green and red—an incredible sight.

Raton: A small town that probably peaked in the late 19th century and has been in slow decline ever since. The Raton Pass Motor Inn is the kind of place that makes the US legendary—entirely 50s and 60s decor, really well done. I had the Betty Page room—too cool. Felt like we were on Route 66. Even better.

Santa Fe: A small city with no high-rises—almost all low-rise buildings, many in adobe, blending perfectly into the landscape. The old downtown is touristy but nice, with its plaza and church. There’s a really cool vibe—we loved it. For drinks, the bar at the top of La Fonda Hotel was packed for sunset, with a diverse crowd. Not overpriced for the location. SITE Santa Fe is a contemporary art space near the train station. It’s free, and the temporary exhibit was really good—high quality. Museum Hill is, as the name suggests, where several museums are located. We visited the Museum of Indian Art and Culture—great if you’re into “First Nations” history. Saw The Dandy Warhols at The Bridge—an outdoor venue, one of the last concerts of the season before winter makes it too cold. Oddly, there was no bag check, just an ID required (even though it was obvious we were over 21!). Tickets were reasonable, around $30 (concerts in the US can be crazy expensive). The band was good, with fewer than 300 people in front. A sign at the bar warned: Don’t forget you’re at 1,500 meters—alcohol hits harder up here!

Albuquerque: A sprawling city with an old historic center that feels a bit like Disneyland—too perfect for my taste. The real highlight is the Sandia Peak Tramway, which goes up to the old ski resort above the city. Tickets are around $35, and it’s worth it—the ride over the canyons is pretty wild. The ski resort is a bit abandoned; apparently, like elsewhere, there’s no snow anymore. I asked several people about the lack of snow, and the answer was always the same: “It’s cyclical.” Okay then. We arrived for the start of the International Balloon Fiesta (one of the world’s largest hot-air balloon gatherings), hoping to see hundreds of balloons in the sky. Nope—windy today, so no one took off. Bummer.

Las Vegas: New Mexico has its own Las Vegas, but it’s nothing like the other one—a sleepy little town with a perfectly preserved 19th-century Historic Plaza Hotel, brick buildings, and vintage streetlights. Everything is so well-preserved it’s often used as a filming location. NM attracts a lot of productions thanks to tax incentives and its Western landscapes—and it’s cheaper than California! That day, a huge Texas flag was flying in the wind: they were filming the second season of *Ransom Canyon* for Netflix in the town center. If we’d been dressed more “Western,” we could’ve been extras.

Jemez Springs: Its Jemez Hot Springs is super cute—several thermal pools at different temperatures, a New Age vibe. The pools are surrounded by big rocks, and you’re asked to speak softly. A place where you could spend hours. $50 for two hours for two.

Los Alamos: A town made legendary by the bomb, the movie, etc. Heads up: It’s still a research center, and to cross part of the town, you need to show ID. No stopping or taking photos allowed. Other than the Oppenheimer House (currently closed—only the neighboring house is open to visitors), there’s not much to see. There’s a replica of the camp entrance, but it’s been turned into restrooms.

Georgia O’Keeffe Trail (American painter, 1887–1986): Her museum in Santa Fe is pretty good, even if they don’t have tons of works. Entry is $20. Her house in Abiquiu is open for visits, but it’s way overpriced at $65. So we skipped it. You can get an idea of it by stopping at the Welcome Center on Route 84. Further down the same road, Ghost Ranch is worth a visit—beautiful setting, free to enter, with trails to explore and a great atmosphere.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park: A pretty isolated park—25 km of trails to get there, with only a small section paved. The road is decent except for the last few kilometers, which have potholes. I can’t imagine it being accessible after rain, though that doesn’t happen often! This park, in the middle of a desert plain with a few canyons, is one of the rare places where you can find multi-story structures from pre-Columbian civilizations—so, before the “current” tribes. But cruel disappointment: it’s been shut down for a few days. We met a Native ranger—tall, with long hair—who explained that even though he wasn’t being paid, he was still guarding the park and had closed all access to the sites. Darn. Turned around and headed back down the trail.

Same story in the next town, Aztec (a funny name, right?): Aztec Ruins National Monument was closed too.

We passed Ship Rock, the Navajo’s sacred mountain—really impressive. Couldn’t find a trail to get closer, but it’s better from a distance anyway! The town of Shiprock itself is pretty depressing—poor living conditions for some Natives, with rundown mobile homes and piles of junk cars.

Stopped in Cortez to visit Mesa Verde National Park. Ate at Denny’s—hadn’t been there in ages (though it’s the kind of place I should feel at home in!). The customers all looked like they’d stepped out of *The Addams Family*—a little creepy. Or funny, depending on your perspective. For Mesa Verde, after discussing it on this forum with the honorable member Caussat (who didn’t find it that amazing), we were on the fence. Problem solved: it was closed too. Back on the road.

Durango: Really nice with its Main Ave and its shops, cafés—touristy but with local life. Famous for its tourist train to Silverton, but we didn’t do it—way too expensive. Choice between a steam locomotive or diesel (which belches black, stinky smoke—yuck). The diesel should be replaced with electric as soon as they get the funds.

Million Dollar Highway: The road winds through the mountains, and every turn (and there are a lot) is breathtaking—unbelievable landscapes with fluorescent yellow, green, and snow-capped mountains. Just wow.

Silverton: A Western town nestled between two mountains, preserved in its original state despite the tourists arriving by train. Around it, abandoned mines and old wooden ties—must’ve been tough for the 19th-century miners.

Grand Junction: The city is surrounded by giant mesas—pretty impressive. The old downtown is *too* clean—almost sterile.

Colorado National Monument: Just outside the city, a winding road climbs between stunning canyons, with sweeping views of the valley. Entry was free that day due to the shutdown.

Route 330, which we took to get back to the highway, passes through a place called “Cowboy Country”—and it’s true. We saw guys in Stetsons with huge pickups, the road turned into a trail with cows wandering on it, and we had to honk to get them to move. The trail to I-70 was full of potholes—the 4X4 came in handy. Had a picnic by Vega Reservoir: the booth at the entrance was empty, but people left cash in envelopes for camping fees. Anyone passing by could’ve taken it, but it’s an example of US trust and honesty!

Glenwood Springs: A small town famous for its hot springs pool—they claim it’s the largest in the world. I don’t know about that, but it has a great look. Unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance those days! Blew our budget by staying at the Hotel Colorado, a huge 1893 building with a real atmosphere in its grand lobby and fake fireplaces. Fire pits in front of wooden chairs in the garden with mountain views—just really great.

Aspen: The billionaires’ ski resort, but surprisingly, parking was free for 2 hours. Rare to see a place for the super-rich that doesn’t scream “not for you” (like Palm Beach, for example). A former mining town completely redone, every shop occupied by a luxury brand. There’s even a thrift shop run by sweet retirees—funny as hell. Two ski lifts to start directly with your skis, but we didn’t see the price—they were still closed. Lots of houses that aren’t huge but are cute, though looking at real estate prices made us think, “Is there an extra zero on that listing?” A 6-bedroom villa for $52 million? Wow. The mountains around are gorgeous—no wonder it became what it is.

Another fancy resort nearby: Vail, more modern in its construction. The restaurants opted for a “Schwarzwald” decor—kind of odd.

Denver: Nothing really stood out for us in this city, except the Design Museum—the Kirkland, where a local painter collected furniture and supplies from Arts and Crafts to Postmodern. Just really great. Entry is included with a visit to the Denver Art Museum, which has diverse collections—from Impressionism (they have a Manet, a Van Gogh, a Cézanne, several Sisleys) to photography. The best part for me was the “Ancient Americas” totems—huge, impressive wooden sculptures, painted, the kind you’re more used to seeing in Polynesia or Easter Island. Personally, I didn’t know Natives made them too. That’s what museums are for!

Back at the airport, where I had to tag my own luggage (you have to do everything yourself with these US airlines). The tag said SLC/CDG! But we were supposed to connect through JFK. Turns out, they’d put us on a DEN/SLC/CDG flight without telling us. In the end, we gained 30 minutes on our original arrival time in Paris!

There you go—hope this inspires other travelers! !

Hi there, We decided this week to use our miles for a trip to Phoenix. We're putting our itinerary together in a hurry, and it's not coming together at all. I'd really appreciate some help if possible, please.

Back in 2007, we did a classic trip: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and San Francisco. This time, we only have two weeks and don’t want to rush from one place to another...

(*-sites not yet visited) Arriving in Phoenix tomorrow morning - Monday the 14th - and leaving for Paris on Monday the 29th. - 14/09: Phoenix* - 2 nights to recover from the trip > Heard Museum, Botanical Garden, Downtown... - 16th: Flagstaff* (Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Nat. Monument along the way) - 17th-20th: 3 nights at Grand Canyon - Maswik And here’s where it starts getting really messy: - 21st, 22nd... Monument Valley - 23rd... Canyon de Chelly* - 24th, 25th: Petrified Forest, Painted Desert* - 26th-27th: Sedona* - lots of hiking options - 28th: Evening in Phoenix, flight at 3 PM

If Monument Valley isn’t very doable this week because of rain, maybe it’d be better to go somewhere else, like straight to Canyon de Chelly, or even completely different—Zion (great hikes), Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, a night somewhere to break up the drive, Sedona, and then depart from Phoenix. Since this trip is last-minute, we’re a bit disorganized and would really appreciate any advice. Aside from Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, we haven’t booked any hotels yet, so it’s still flexible.

Thanks so much in advance!! Ruby

Hi everyone.

For 2026, I’m considering what might be my last long trip to the States.

A loop from Dallas back to Dallas via Houston, San Antonio, Tucson, Albuquerque...

Simple question: Is it doable in August with the extreme heat?

Best,

Hi everyone, I’m planning a road trip along the American West Coast in July 25 and, of course, I’d love to visit the parks east of Las Vegas. The crowds—but especially the heat—are making me second-guess whether it’s a good idea (the parks). I’d really appreciate your (honest!) feedback from those who’ve been there. Is the experience ruined? Maybe it’s manageable (early morning visits)? I have no doubt the scenery will be breathtaking, but does the context let you fully enjoy it? Thanks so much in advance for sharing your thoughts!

Hi everyone! 🙂

A little request for help from those who’ve stayed in Sedona—we’ll have almost 3 full days there. I’ve done some research on different sites, but I’m still confused.

It seems that some spots require, in addition to the America the Beautiful Pass (which we’ll already have from the start of our road trip), the Red Rock Day Pass since they’re within Red Rock State Park. This would be for park and parking lot maintenance.

Here are the hikes we’re eyeing: Boynton Canyon, Devil’s Bridge, Birthday Cave, Airport Mesa, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Crescent Moon Ranch.

We won’t be able to do all of them—we’ll have to choose 🤔 and cut some 😢.

On top of that, there are the two scenic drives: Red Rock Scenic Byway and Oak Creek Scenic Drive.

Does the America the Beautiful Pass cover everything, or do we also need the Red Rock Day Pass? And if we do, which hikes require it?

Thanks for your answers, and have a great afternoon! marcalamar 🙂

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out for your help because I’m a bit lost trying to rent a car in Washington, DC. I’ve already rented twice out West with ALAMO—no issues, brand-new SUVs… This time, I need to rent an SUV for 12 days in Washington and return it at Newark Airport in NYC. I never would’ve thought there’d be such a price difference between the East and West Coasts!!! 12 days out East costs almost the same as 26 days out West! With Alamo out West, full insurance where you return the vehicle no matter its condition is called CDW. Here, it’s not clear at all. I’ve never rented from another company. If I stick with the two "big rental companies," here are my options:

ALAMO DULLES AIRPORT: 1,250 € with additional protection included (96 €) AVIS AIRPORT: 831 € with additional protection included (96 €) Or AVIS downtown WASHINGTON, 700m from my hotel, where I’d save on the taxi to the airport! Same price: 831 €. Has anyone ever picked up a vehicle downtown? Given the small indoor parking lot, I’m guessing the selection is limited. Is there a difference between AVIS and ALAMO? Because between 830 € and 1,250 €??????????? I’m not too familiar with other rental companies. I’ve rented brand-new cars in Europe from BUDGET for 70 € a week with no issues, but this is on the other side of the world!!!! Thanks so much for your feedback! Have a great day

Hi everyone, For our leg from Taos to Albuquerque, we have two options with roughly the same mileage and driving time: Either the light blue route (NM 518 then NM 76) or the dark blue route (NM 68), which would let us visit the Embudo Gas Museum. We’d love to stop at the Chimayó Sanctuary if it’s worth the small detour. We’ll have already taken NM 518 from Las Vegas to Taos. Which route is prettier and has the most points of interest? Afterward, we’ll take the Turquoise Trail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Thanks for your input! Marcalamar :)

Hi everyone! 🙂

We’re on the Roswell–Tucumcari leg. We’ll go through Fort Sumner. After visiting, there are two ways to reach Tucumcari:

Take US 84 to Santa Rosa, see its Blue Hole, then the almost ghost towns on the historic Route 66 (Cuervo, Newkirk, and Montoya). We won’t visit the Route 66 auto museum (we’ll do the one in Tucumcari). The other option is to take 252 and then 209.

The next day, we plan to head to our next stop in Las Vegas (the one in NM) by going up the Mesalands Scenic Byway (104).

Is the detour to Santa Rosa worth it? Are the historic Route 66 sections drivable?

Thanks for your tips! Marcalamar 🙂