Pour mon 4 eme voyage aux states, je pars au mois d'aout pour 1 mois, ayant de la famille a LA.
On part a deux, et on souhaite encore une fois faire un trip pour certains parcs qui nous ont bien plu, voila le parcours que l'on imagine.
LA- LV 1 nuit a vegas
LV -skywalk -grand canyon village 1 nuit a GCV
GCV- monument valley 1 nuit a kayenta
Kayenta -bullfrog via ferry - capitol-escalante- bryce canyon 1 nuit a determiner
bryce canyon - death valley avec 1 nuit encore a determiner
Puis retour sur LA.
On a deux ou trois interrogations, mais est ce que ca vs semble judicieux comme parcours, on roulera en hummer, on adore prendre pas mal de piste deserte.
Les deux seuls endroits que l'on ne connait pas dans notre parcours, sont le site ou il y a le skywalk et la partie haute du lac powell ou l'on aimerait prendre le ferry, si quelqu'un a des infos, on est preneurs.
On devrait debuter cette semaine de voyage le 2 aout, on aura de la place ds la voiture, si aussi ca interesse un couple de faire le trajet, ca peux etre sympa
là y a un probleme car le skywalk n'est pas du coté sud, donc pas du coté de GC Village et il est assez difficle d'accés. il te faut revoir ce jour là si tu tiens absolument au skywalk.
Bonsoir,
Voici la route LV - SKYWALK - GC Village :
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=fr&geocode=3977553021912081595, 36.011560, -113.811386&saddr=LAS+VEGAS&daddr=36.01156, -113.811386+to:GRAND+CANYON+VILLAGE&mra=pi&mrcr=1&sll=35.853555, -114.48478&sspn=0.979502, 1.344452&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=8
Le SKYWALK, dont la visite est discutable selon plusieurs avis sur le forum, est situé à Eagle Point dans la partie ouest du GC mais bien sur la rive sud.
Par contre longue journée !
* Skywalk est difficile d'accés et cher, de plus, je doute que tu puisses le faire en partant de Las Vegas et en rejoignant Grand Canyon le même jour.
* Kayenta -bullfrog via ferry - capitol-escalante- bryce canyon est un trajet interressant mais surement encore une fois très long (en miles et en temps). Selon moi, tu devrais faire un stop à Torrey pour profiter tranquillement le lendemain de la route 12 qui mène à Bryce Canyon.
En juin dernier, j'ai pris la 261 puis la 95 jusqu'à Hanksville, c'était magnifique tout le long du trajet.
Si tu réalise ce trajet (Kayenta -bullfrog via ferry - capitol-escalante), je serais content d'avoir tes impressions à ton retour pour une de mes prochaines virées là bas.
* Bryce Canyon-Death Valley, au risque d'être répétitif, me parais aussi très chargé.
En résumé, 2 nuits de plus minimum, ça ne ferait pas de mal à ton circuit.
Il est vrai que certain jour on a pas mal de miles a faire, en fait on a l'habitude de rouler bcp, on se relai, on part a 5 h du mat souvent pour arriver vers 14h sur nos objectifs, d'ou l'importance du vehicule pour etre pas torp fatigué.
L'année derniere on est parti de LA via LV, hoover dam et on est arrivés a flagtsaff en debut d'aprem (un peu tot a notre gout).
Concernant le skywalk, l'an dernier on avait zappé, cette année on voudrait voir cet edifice par curiosité, en regardant la carte qui a été postée on aimerait passer du point B au C par les pistes et non par la 40 plus au sud, on a pour l'instant une carte des USA pas assez precise pour savoir si c'est vraiment faisable.
L'an dernier encore on a couper par les pistes entre le lac powell et bryce en passant prés d'escalante sur les conseils d'un visitor center, c'est magique, des km et des km de pistes ds la nature entre canyon et montagne, on a du croiser 1 seule voiture en 4h, c'est un souvenir imperissable 🙂
Selon de nombreuses personnes, le Skywalk est une escroquerie gérée par nos amis indiens. Difficile d'accès, très coûteux et interdiction de faire des photos ou de filmer à l'intérieur de cette arnaque organisés.
L'accès à la passerelle coûte 25 dollars par personne auxquels il faut ajouter l'achat d'un forfait de visite dont le prix varie de 49, 95$ à 199 $ ainsi que 10 $ de droit d'entrée dans la réserve indienne.
Alors que les appareils photos sont autorisés dans la réserve et sur tous les points de la visite, ils sont interdits sur la passerelle elle même. La tribu vend ses propres photos souvenirs des visiteurs sur la passerelle.
Merci eagles, j'ai aussi lu de nombreux mauvais avis sur le pont, plus 75 dollars, plus pas de photo ou alors leur photo a 15 dollars, donc c'est vrai que c'est guere encourageant, on va peut etre modifier et rajouter une nuit vers bullfrog pour profiter du lac et de ses nombreuses activité, pkoi pas un house boat ou une virée en jet 😎
Pour le trajet entre B et C il y a cette possibilité http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=fr&geocode=3977553021912081595, 36.011560, -113.811386%3B12357453130909979291, 35.645028, -113.746024%3B14938712504134627121, 35.525834, -113.437458%3B15550361682478166898, 35.901657, -112.956041%3B11677486248831971346, 35.830543, -112.378783&saddr=LAS+VEGAS&daddr=36.01156, -113.811386+to:BIA-1+%4035.645028, +-113.746024+to:AZ-66+%4035.525834, +-113.437458+to:BIA-18+%4035.901657, +-112.956041+to:Route+inconnue+%4035.830543, +-112.378783+to:GRAND+CANYON+VILLAGE&sll=35.875698, -112.442322&sspn=0.489616, 0.672226&ie=UTF8&z=8, selon Delorme Topo USA ( logiciel navigation ) c'est un mélange de routes et de pistes parfois en mauvais état.
Patrick
Merci bcp psi31 pour l'itineraire 😉
En lisant un autre sujet, je me tate a remplacer l'etape skywalk par cathedral valley et rajouter une nuit supp vers bryce 😇
Concernant notre offre de co voiturage pour un couple ou une personne seule pour debut Aout, notre proposition tiens tjs 😎
Bonjour,
Je découvrirai Cathedral Valley cet automne, mais selon les dires des connaisseurs : à faire, 4x4 indispensable, pas loin de la journée si randos, donc il faut faire étape vers Torrey. Bryce vaut un jour plein c'est sûr!
Patrick
helas on est tout sauf des randonneurs, l'an dernier on a fait bryce en 3h.
Faut que je cherche un parcours ou trail sur cathedral car ca semble interessant
Pour Cathedral Valley il n'y pratiquement pas de randos ( et même pas indispensables ) et ce sont surtout les points de vue et la piste qui font l'attraction.
Mon parcours ici : http://www.vazyvite.com/html/seattle/cathedral.htm
Quand je lis ta réponse, je précise que c'est une boucle à faire en 4x4 donc pas vraiement de question à se poser sur le parcours . On suit les panneaux et on profite 😎
Merci bcp vazyvite, je precise que l'an dernier avant de partir on avait parocuru ton site en long en large et en travers pour s'inspirer et au final par peur d'un oubli, on avait "aspirer" ton site sur notre pc portable pour l'emmener avec nous, et c'etait nickel, on t'avais pas remercié, on le fait maintenant, chapeau 😎
pour skywalk, évidemment il ne faut pas le manquer, prévoyez cependant une route non goudronnée (aout 2007) sur un trajet d'une heure, c'est assez pénible car beaucoup de voitures et nuage de poussière constant (visibilité nulle) mais le détour en vaut la peine.
quand vous arrivez, vous etes obligés de laisser votre voiture sur un immense parking et ensuite vous choisissez un forfait qui vous donne droit au parcours de votre choix, on vous emmène en car, il y a des navettes tous les 15 minutes, cependant cela coute assez cher, car sur skywalk vous passez 15 minutes maximum, c'est pas immense !
pour le lac powell, si vous pouvez reserver à l'avance toute ballade en bateau, voua avez interet à le faire dès que possible
Car jusqu'à présent ''tout le monde'' la déconseille...
Il y en a quand même 200 000 - selon le site officiel - qui y sont allés et ça fait pas encore un an que le site est ouvert....😉
Probablement que ces visiteurs ne sont pas des abonnés de VF ou que les avis des forumeurs ne sont pas écoutés, par chance car on ferait tous le même voyage que les Dupont.🤪
Même une visite du site officiel donne la frousse!
Effectivement, c'est pour cette raison que je posais la question et je précise que ce n'était pas du tout dans le sens d'une pensée négative de ma part...
Mais comme c'est un avis contraire à ce que l'on a l'habitude de lire ici, j'aurai juste aimé connaître les avantages et ce que la personne qui conseille le Skywalk a apprécié lors de cette visite tellement critiquée...
Probablement que ces visiteurs ne sont pas des abonnés de VF ou que les avis des forumeurs ne sont pas écoutés, par chance car on ferait tous le même voyage que les Dupont.🤪
Comme beaucoup l'ont dit ici, le Skywalk est (pour ma part également) un tourist-trap...même si j'aime et ai beaucoup de respect pour nos amis indiens ( comme dirait J.B...)
Par contre puisque tu descends sur DV depuis Bryce, pourquoi pas une petite rando sympa dans les narrows de Zion Nat. Park?
C'est pas trop physique ( même moi j'ai pu le faire, alors...) et vraiment très très joli...
A vous de voir!
Bonne prépa et cordiales salutations
Corine
Bonsoir,
Deux détails :
Quand tu passes à Mojave, il y a à Tehachapi sur la 58 à l'ouest des champs immenses d'éoliennes, ça vaut le coup d'oeil
Pour la traversée à Bullfrog le lien du bac : http://www.canyon-country.com/lakepowell/ferry.htm
Patrick
Merci psi, j'etais deja tombé sur le site du ferry de bullfrog, a priori il y a un bac par heure, ca va c'est trés bien, on profitera peut etre pour louer un bateau ou un jet pour la demi journée 😎
Maintenant on va s'atteler à trouver ou dormir, on s'est donner deux jours entre notre nuit a kayenta le 5 aout et celle a death valley le 8.
Le 5 on dort a GC village, le 6 on viens de reserver a torrey au days inn, on va trouver vers bryce pour le 7, et pour le 8 on a reserver a coté de furnace.
En fait vu qu'on est de gros feignant on qu'on fait pas de rando et donc ca va legerement plus vite 😇
Je vais te faire un petit resumé alors 😛
On part de LA le dimanche 2/08 trés tot le matin Arrivée sur LV, puis champagne's brunch au wynn 😇 on repart le 3 au matin trés tot, direction grand canyon village via hoover dam, meme si on a abandonner l'idée du skywalk, j'ai bien envie de prendre les pistes que tu m'a indiquée pour rejoindre GC village
Arrivé au GC village, une nuit et depart le 4 pour monument valley 1 nuit a kayenta, depart le lendemain trés tot comme d'hab ( entre 5 h et 6 du mat ce qui nous permet de bien rouler) on prends le ferry sur le lac powell pour rejoindre bullfrog on remonte vers capitol reef et nuit a torrey le 6 depart pour escalante et bryce, une nuit sur bryce depart pour death valley avec 6 h de route 1 nuit a death valley, non pas a furnace creek mais a un hotal dont le lien a été donné sur un autre topic retour sur LA en fin de journée, 5000 miles a vue d'oeil avec le hummer dont enormement de pistes, c'est la variante que l'on voulait pour cette année, avec juste un bemol, c'est de ne pas aller vers arches, l'an prochain peut etre 😊
Vu que notre voyage va durer 30jrs, on se demande si un petit aller retour vers hawaii serait possible.
SI certains ont deja eu cette experience ou ont kk petits "trucs" sympa a donner, pour trouver un vol pas trop cher ou un logement a honolulu ou maui, on est preneurs Merci 😊
Dans le but d'optimiser notre trip, on se pose la question de modifier un peu notre trajet :
Aprés notre visite de monument valley, on devait dormir sur kayenta pour repartir vers torrey via bullfrog
est ce que ca serait possible et plus interessant de remplacer la nuit sur kayenta et basculer sur mexican hat pour gagner un peu de temps et tracer le lendemain sur canyonland pour se faire shafer trail et potash road dans la meme journée, comme ca le soir on irait dormir sur torrey.
Je sais que c'est rapide et que ca fait pas mal de route ds la journée, mais on fait pas de rando et le matin on se leve trés tot 😎
Mon incertitude se porte surtout sur la durée des deux pistes
Je remonte un peu mon vieux topic, je sais pas si vous avez commencé a checker vos vols pour cette année, nous on s'y met depuis quelques jours :
L'an dernier au mois d'aout avec air france on a payé 1400€ A/R
Cette année pour juin le tarif est de 1530€A/R pour 2 personnes
Je crois que cette année encore on sera dans l'ouest 😎
Mon trajet sera los angeles Page Durango Las vegas San francisco avec visite des parcs. Je cherche pour le soir surtout des petits resto typiques.trés sympa.…
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Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
