mard 26/05 Cortez / Colorado
- --
mercr. 27/05 Mexican hat (visite Monum.Valley) –
Utah
- --
Jeudi 28/05 visite Mon.Valley + Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck / Utah
- --
Vendr. 29/05 visite Canyon de Chelly/ Arizona
- --
Sam. 30/05 Sedona/Arizona
- --
Dim. 31/05 Sedona:
- --
Lund 01/06 Sedona : oak creek Valley/
- --
Mard 02/06 Grand Canyon north rim/Utah
- --
Merc 03/06 Jacob Lake
- --
Jeudi 04/06 Bryce Canyon
- --
Vendr.05/06 “
- --Sam 06/06 Mesquit /
Dim. 07/06 Mojave –
Lun 08/06 Morro Bay/Californie-
--
Mard 09/06 Carmel/Californie
- --
Merc. 10/06 San Francisco
Jeudi 11/06
Vendr. 12/06 “ “
SFO- Paris
Merci vraiment à toutes + tous de nous dire si nous avons prévu
assez de temps autour de Santa Fé+ Taos (enchanted circle)?
qui connait le trail pour aller au site de Chaco culture -Farmington)?assez de temps autour de MonValley (gooseneck, valley of the gods - horshoebend)?
1 journée est-ce suffisant pour aller calmement de Sedona à north rim, Jacob Lake en passant par Navajo bridge?
A Jacob Lake( 2 nuits), nous voudrions faire 1 petite rando le long de north rim. Laquelle conseillez-vous?
De Jacob Lake nous ailerions aller au vermillion cliffs en voiture.est-ce faisable? Peut-on y faire 1 petite rando?
De Bryce, nous nous dirigeons vers Morro Bay/Californie.
Quels points de chute (dodo) nous conseillez-vous?
Nous avons trouvé Mesquite et Mojave. ???
Santa fe - Taos par la high road bien sur ?
le 25 et le 26 sur Cortez ?, pourquoi deux jours, Mesa Verde n'est pas si grand même si vous devrez composer avec la disponibilité des visites de certains site (Cliff Palace; Balcony House) qui se font avec ranger par groupe et donc sur réservation au visitor center selon les dispos.
En dehors de celà, Cortes et une petite ville sympa avec un centre assez photogénique mais pas plus.
Le 1 et le 2 juin - Vous remontez de Sédona jusqu'au Grand Canyon North Rim C'a fait une sacré trotte et c'est un peu dommage de ne pas s'offrir le South Rim qui reste plus spectaculaire, même si beaucoup plus touristique
Qu'est-ce-la high road? Nous pensions passer sur la
N.M 522 direction Arroyo Hondo + faire 1 loop par Questa, puis la N.M 38 sur Red River, Eagle Nest, et retour à Taos.
*
Cortez: le 25/05 nous venons d' Ouray. Je ne sais pas combien de temps cela nous prends jusqu'à Cortez, vu que c'est 1 route de montagne (stops photos);
Que penses-tu: si nous arrivons vers 17 heure par ex. à Cortez, pouvons-nous encore nous inscrire pour le lendemain à Mesa Verde? Ou est-ce que l'on peut le faire de France avant. Combien de temps, penses-tu, prend la visite à Mesa Verde.
Après la visite de Mesa Verde, nous voulons aller jusqu'à Mexican hat.
Est-ce faisable dans la journée?
Route de Sedona à GCanyon north rim: tu dis que c'est 1 trotte. Nous pensions mettre environ 4.30. On se trompe???
Ou faudrait-il faire 1 arrêt -dodo sur ce chemin?
Grand C.: Tu as évidemment raison pour south rim. Je n'avais pas dit que nous étions déjà allés 2 x. On y retournerait bien, c'est tellement fabuleux. Mais on ne peut pas tout faire.
Que donseilles-tu comme randos à north rim?
Autre question: étant basé à north rim - pouvons-nous allés voir "the wave" dans vermillion cliffs? Ou est-ce trop loin, et trop difficile?
Merci beaucoup d'avance de tes réponses - évidememtn éclairées.
Hi,
Alors, pour répondre sur ce que je connais
La High Road (de Santa Fe à Taos) se récupère au Nord de Santa fe à Hispanola, direction Chimayo (numéro 76). Superbe petite route avec quelques belles églises d'adobe historiques sur le chemin.
17 heures à Cortez, il ne faut pas tarder surtout si vous n'avez pas encore d'Hotel, ou alors filer directement au parc, (l'entrée est valable sur plusieurs jours) pour réserver (pas possible par Internet à ma connaissance) soit Cliff Palace (le cliché le plus connu) soit Balcony House. Les visites durent plus d'une heure. Si vous êtes trop pressés, Mesa Verde présente tout de même de beaux sites d'accès libre. Mais encore une fois, il faut un peu de temps car il faut s'enfoncer dans le parc et en ressortir. Sachant qu'ensuite vous devez filer jusqu'à Mexican Hat. La journée c'est jouable mais sans trop trainer.
Vous ne passez pas par Four Corners ?, au cas où, pas tellement d'intéret, quelques dollars pour une photo et un petit souvenir symbolique, bon, maintenant, si vous passez devant...
Vous connaissez South Rim, alors plus rien à dire sur Grand Canyon votre programme est bon et la route faisable à la journée.
Pas de conseil sur les randonnées locales, ne ne connait que celle du South Rim qui descend jusqu'au Colorado (De mémoire la Bright Angel).
Good trip
Autre question: étant basé à north rim - pouvons-nous allés voir "the wave" dans vermillion cliffs? Ou est-ce trop loin, et trop difficile?
N'oublie pas que pour the Wave il faut un permis que l'on obtient à l'issue : soit d'une loterie sur internet soit d'une loterie sur place, les permis étant, dans ce cas, valables le lendemain du tirage (il faut donc prévoir au moins 2 jours à proximité !)
peux-tu me donner quelques infos supplémentaires? meci d'avance!
es-tu allé voir "la vague"
d'où a-t-on accès
combien de temps faut-il pour faire cette rando
as-tu par hasard le line net pour participer à cette "loterie" internet.
c'est absolument top, ces infos. Merci mille fois.
Nous partons en Mai. Donc c'est probablement un peu tard pour avoir de vraies chances d'obtenir des places à la loterie. Mais on va essayer.
Si vous avez le temps, arrivez de bonne heure à Los Alamos pour aller voir le TROU NOIR. C'est un très vieux brocanteur qui vend un peu de tout et n'importe quoi, y compris de têtes de missile et autres matériels provenant de la recherche atomique. Rien de dangereux paraît-il
merci encore krikir?
ton blog est vraiment extra. Mais on s'y prends malheureusement trop tard. Pour début Juin il n'y a plus de disponibilité pour le "côté nord".
On prévoit de rester 2 nuits à Grand Canyon Lodge qui est tout près du Canyon north rim. Penes-tu que nous serons assez près pour faire la route jusqu'à l'entrée + tenter d'obtenir 1 walk in permit?
Si j'ai bien compris ton idée, tu veux faire un A/R jusqu'à Page tout en logeant au Grand Canyon Nord pour aller tenter the Wave.
Ce n'est pas possible car les permis sont donnés pour le lendemain du jour où a lieu le tirage, ça ne va donc pas le faire .....Pour se donner une chance d'obtenir les permis sur place, il faut prévoir de séjourner à Page plusieurs jours ...et en mai-juin, c'est la période de pointe pour la visite des Coyotes Buttes.
Il vaut mieux te consacrer au Grand canyon Nord. Si tu veux y randonner, je te conseille le Widforss trail (2h ou plus selon que tu vas plus ou moins loin).
Krikri est une mine de bons conseils... Merci beaucoup de ta réponse aussi rapide. .
Dommage pour the wave...
On ne voulait pas séjourner à Page, mais près de Jacob Lake. J'ai vérifié: pour aller vers les vermillion cliffs il y a 84 miles, donc environ 3h30.
Nous pensions y aller le mercredi 3 Juin pour tenter les walk in permit pour le jeudi 4/06.
Evidemment si l'on n'obtient pas le permit, la rando à north ril est fichu aussi.
Zut et re-zut!
On va donc aller sur Widforss trail.
Merci de tes conseils!
Pour pouvoir tenter les permis pour the Wave, voilà (à mon sens) les étapes qu'il faudrait que tu prévois :
2/06 : arrivée en AM ou soirée au GCN, nuit au Grand Canyon NOrd (je te conseille le lodge du Grand Canyon, idéal pour voir le lever et coucher du soleil....Jacob Lake est à + 2h de route de la rim, beaucoup trop loin pour profiter des points de vue et randos au GCN)
03/06 : lever du soleil sur GCN, points de vue (suite) éventuellement Widforss Trail.....et en AM route vers Kanab. Nuit à Kanab
04/06 : loterie the Wave (si gagnée, journée près de Page et nuit à Page.....si perdue, suite du voyage)
05/06 : the Wave (si gagnée) puis suite du voyage l'après-midi.
Si effectivement tu n'as pas au moins cette possibilité de parcours, oui, the Wave sera pour une autre fois, car ce site demande une certaine organisation.
je viens de voir ton dernier message. Merci beaucoup pour tes conseils judicieux. Vous êtes vraiment très sympa!
Comme notre programme était déjà 1 peu fixé lorsque j'ai découvert "la vague", j'essaie de faire des changements (hotels) pour rester dans le coin.
Je pense qu'il est peut-être bien aussi de rester 1 nuit à Navajo bridge (je cherche s'il a 1 motel/ lodge), j'essaie
d'avoir 1 permit walk in.
Si l'on ne réussit pas, on continue sur Grand Canyon lodge, north rim.
Malheureusement encore 2 questions: faut il aller la veille au soir à quel endroit exactement? Paria Contact Station (40 miles
de Page)?
La loterie a lieu le matin à 9h (heure de l'Utah, 1h de décalage par rapport à Page, par ex) effectivement à la Paria Contact Station. Les permis gagnés (10 par tirage) sont alors valables pour la journée du lendemain, donc pas mal de contraintes et à la période où tu comptes y aller, jusqu'à 40 à 60 personnes présentes pour 10 permis (cf carnet de oliv2019 fin mai 2008).
Mais que cela ne te décourage pas : qui ne tente rien n'a rien !
Pourriez vous me donner votre avis sur l'itinéraire que j'ai préparé pour le mois d'aout: 14/8: arrivée à SF (nuit à SF) 15/8: vers LA par route 1 (nuit à LA)…
J'aurais voulu avoir votre avis quand à l'itinéraire ci-dessous, pour un départ fin Mars S'il y a des étapes à modifier, me le faire savoir J1: Paris - Phoenix…
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salut a tous
je prepare un tour du monde et je recherche des bons plans pour les logements aux etats unis
avez vous des petits prix a me partager svp
merci
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!