A mon tour de soumettre un itinéraire dans l'ouest (fin juin debut juillet 2012).
Nous voyageons avec 2 ados. J'ai essayé de faire un circuit pas trop speed. nous aimons bien la rando, mais pas trop longue et pas trop chaude. On va donc souffrir un peu à Aches...
Nous arrivons et partons de SLC, car nous avons déjà subi LAS VEGAS (aucune envie d'y retourner). Ca me semble donc l'aeroport le plus pratique depuis Paris.
J1 vol Salt lake city. Voiture SUV ou 4X4 de location à l'aéroport. Rte vers MOAB
J2 visite Island in the Sky. Couché soleilDead Hors. Point Nuit Moab
J3 visite Arches. Nuit Moab
J4 Départ pour Valley of the god et Goosnecks. Nuit MV (the VIEW)
J5 Départ pour Grand Canyon (nuit ds le parc)
J6 Visite Grand Canyon (nuit)
J7 antelope à 11h00 puis Horseshoe bend et Lake Powell. Nuit Page
J8 depart pour Bryce par Cottonwood Canyon Road (si pratiquable) Nuit vers Bryce
J9 visite Bryce et nuit
J10 Rte vers Salt Lake city par la 12. Fin AM shopping outlett et nuit Parc city
J11 rte 89. Nuit Jackson Hole
J12 traversée de Grand Téton Nuit à Yellowstone
J13 à J16 Yellowstone (nuits partagées entre West Yello et Gardiner si pas de place ds le parc)
J17 Retour sur Paris par SLC ou Jackson
Je peux rajouter une journée. Je pensais à une journée sur MOAB (à priori possible de faire des activités sympa autours du Colorado ?) ou une de plus pour profiter de Grand Téton ?
Un grand merci pour vos remarques et bonne soirée.
Même remarque que Jean: il n'est pas raisonnable de faire la route jusqu'à Moab le jour de l'arrivée du vol international à Salt Lake City.
Il faudra rajouter donc une journée à Moab. Outre Arches, Canyonlands et Dead Horse Point il y a en effet d'autres activités marches (Fisher Towers, Corona Arch), "baignade" (Mill Creek), rafting (Colorado) ou pistes (Potash, Long Canyon...)
Pour le reste ton circuit est bien équilibré (à condition de pas repartir en J17 sauf si c'est de Jackson suivant les horaires...)! Avis personnel, je rajouterais une journée au Yellowstone et enleverais un jour au Grand Canyon ou à Page au choix.
Tu peux jeter un œil à mon blog pour avoir des idées de balades au Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley.
" je rajouterais une journée au Yellowstone et enleverais un jour au Grand Canyon ou à Page au choix. "
Euh... pas clair... Tu rajoutes ou tu enlèves un jour à Page?
Moi, je devine la réponse... mais pour qq un qui n'y est jamais allé, ce n'est pas évident 😛
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
J'enlève la journée entière prévue à Page (pas besoin d'une journée entière pour faire Antelope + Horseshoe Bend + un tour au Lac Powell 😛). Ou au Grand Canyon si la journée à Page est prévue à la location d'un bateau.
Ah.. ben.. non... je n'avais alors pas bien deviné🤪...Je croyais que tu voulais rajouter un jour à Page (en pensant à ttes les autres merveilles entourant Page)
J5 Trajet Monument Valley- Grand Canyon (nuit ds le parc)
J6 Visite Grand Canyon (nuit)
J7 antelope à 11h00 puis Horseshoe bend et Lake Powell. Nuit Page
Selon moi, c'est assez équilibré... Y a déjà qu'une nuit à Page... Pour moi, c'est le minimum...je ne vois pas comment l'enlever...
On pourrait aussi faire:
J5 Trajet Monument Valley- Grand Canyon (nuit ds le parc)
J6 suite de la visite Grand Canyon , puis trajet vers Page (avec arrêt à Marble Canyon, Lee's Ferry), nuit à Page
J7 antelope à 11h00 puis Horseshoe bend et Lake Powell. 2ème nuit Page
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Ah.. ben.. non... je n'avais alors pas bien deviné🤪...Je croyais que tu voulais rajouter un jour à Page (en pensant à ttes les autres merveilles entourant Page)
Ouppsssss tu as tout à fait raison, je ne sais pas pourquoi, j'avais vu deux nuits à Page. Sans doute la Saint Nicolas qui ne fait pas effet que chez les Virginath.... 😄
Donc en effet, Page c'est très bien comme ça. En tout cas pour faire ce que j'ai cité plus-haut. A voir pour le Grand Canyon... S'ils n'ont pas prévu d'y faire un bout de descente (South Kaibab), ils peuvent enlever une nuit. Et la rajouter au Yellowstone. Mais ce n'est que mon avis 🙂
Merci pour ces réponses.
Effectivement vol d'arrivée à 14H05. Je pensais pouvoir arriver à Moab vers 21H00. La fin de journée étant perdue autant l'utiliser pour la route.Mais effectivement après le vol + décalage horaire, ce n'est peut être pas très prudent... La solution serait sans doute de se rapprocher le plus possible de Moab (arrêt dans un motel quand la fatigue se fait sentir), pour arriver assez tôt sur canyonland.
J'ai mis 2nuits au Grand Canyon, car je pense qu'en arrivant de MV en fin de matinée(environ 4H00 de route) et en repartant le lendemain assez tôt (Antelope à 11H00) ça ne laisse qu'une demie journée sur place, trop juste, même sans descendre.
Le vol de retour est à 17h00. Ca laisse le temps de rejoindre SLC le dernier jour. En partant de Jackson, c'est le même, le choix est donc entre 4H00 d'escale enfermés dans un aéroport et 6H00 de voiture mais en pouvant prendre l'air... Difficile.
Me reste la journée en plus, je vais voir ce qui peut me tenter autours de Moab. Si vous avez une super expérience
à partager.
Léa
Attention il est grandement conseillé d'être à l'aéroport 3h avant l'heure du vol international. Je trouve donc imprudent de faire autant de route le jour de votre retour même si le vol est à 17h... Ce qui fait un départ au grand maximum à 7h30.
Et puis on ne sait jamais ce qu'il peut se passer sur la route!
Par exemple, à Salt Lake City justement, il y a eu un accrochage sur l'Interstates ce qui fait qu'on est resté coincé près d'une heure avant de pouvoir rejoindre notre hôtel... Mais c'était la veille du vol donc no stress 😉.
" J'ai mis 2nuits au Grand Canyon, car je pense qu'en arrivant de MV en fin de matinée(environ 4H00 de route) et en repartant le lendemain assez tôt (Antelope à 11H00) ça ne laisse qu'une demie journée sur place, trop juste, même sans descendre. "
Comme je le disais plus haut, vs pourriez faire:
J5 Trajet Monument Valley- Grand Canyon (nuit ds le parc)
J6 suite de la visite Grand Canyon , puis trajet vers Page (avec arrêt à Marble Canyon, Lee's Ferry), nuit à Page
J7 antelope à 11h00 puis Horseshoe bend et Lake Powell. 2ème nuit Page
En J5: en faisant la route de Monument Valley au Grand Canyon, vs ferez déjà les points de vue sur Little Colorado, puis les points de vue sur le Grand Canyon côté Est (le long de la Desert View Drive).
En ayant quitté Monument Valley vers 8h-8h30, vs arriverez donc ainsi vers 16h à Grand Canyon Village. Cela vs laisse le temps de pouvoir en plus jeter aussi un oeil sur les points de vue côté Ouest (le long de la Hermits Rest Rd) et de là, assister au superbe coucher de soleil.
En J6: en début de matinée , vs pouvez éventuellement survoler en hélico le Grand Canyon (au départ de Tusayan)
Ensuite, il vs restera la suite des points de vue Côté Ouest (si pas tous vus la veille) ou une éventuelle petite descente jusque Cedar Ridge via le South Kaibab Trail(compter 3h A-R)Si vs ne descendez pas ds le Grand Canyon, vs pourriez aussi envisager de quitter le Grand Canyon en début d'après-midi et de prendre la route pour Page, en faisant une halte à Marble Canyon et Lee's Ferry (avec aussi une autre possibilité de belle rando de +/- 2h A-R: Cathedral Wash: voir http://www.ouestusa.fr/...hedral/cathedral.php)
En faisant ce programme, vs consacrez l'après-midi du J5 et la matinée du J6 au Grand Canyon.. Cela me parait bien suffisant si vs ne descendez pas ds le Canyon... et cela vs laisse le temps de découvrir la région de Lee's Ferry et d'aller toucher de vos mains le Colorado🙂
Si vs quittez Monument Valley vers 8h et si vs restez sur votre programme initial (2 nuits au Grand Canyon), vs aurez alors le temps de vous prélasser à la piscine de l'hôtel du Grand Canyon 🤪
A vous de choisir!
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
bonjour, nous avons été sur Moab 3 nuit cet été et avons loué un 4X4 2 jours. Les enfants et mon mari ont adoré et nous ne regrettons pas un semblant d'aventure pour les garçons (9,6 et 2) c'était super. pour le reste du séjour assez similaire : j1j2 LAS V2GAS j3 ZION j4 bRYCE J5 jusque j9 sur yellowstone ou je te conseille de séjourner tellement c'est grand! pour ma part nous avons campé et sommes super content car c'était la première, un vrai défit! j10j11j12 moab J13MONUMENT VALLEY ET J14 grand canyon et antelope J15 VEGAS
BONS préparatifs
Me revoilà. Mon emploi du temps est plus calme, donc je peux reprendre mon voyage.
En 1er merci pour vos réponses, et, mes excuses à Bastinj pour avoir mal lu son mail. Mais mon esprit n'était sans doute pas très clair (5h00 du mat. une insomnie m'avait tirée du lit...). J'ai mieux compris votre proposition le lendemain.
Ensuite location du 4X4 pas obligatoire certes, mais ça permet de rouler l'esprit plus tranquille sur Canyonland, MV, Valley of the good, Muley Point... plus ttes ces petites pistes surprises qu'on regarde avec envie du bas de sa berline. Surtout si la pluie nous accompagne. Alors, je crois que cette année je me faire ce 1er petit plaisir.
Départ samedi 16 juin et retour mardi 3 juillet
Donc voici ma nouvelle copie :
J1 : Arrivée à SLC à 14h05. Voiture de location puis 2 options :
a) départ vers MOAB, on s'arrète quand on est fatigué.
b) shopping et nuit à Park City (ça permettrait de faire la route 12 plus tranquillement en J12
J2 : direction MOAB nuit
J3 : nuit MOAB 1 jour Arches/ 1 canyoland et temps pour petites ballades et repos piscine
J4 : nuit MOAB
J5 : Valley of the Good, Muley Point, Goosnecks nuit à MV (the View réservé c'est mon 2ème petit plaisir)
J6 : Grand Canyon (je reprend la proposition de Bastinj)
J7 : fin Gd Canyon puis rte vers Page arrêt Marble Canyon, Lee Ferry ou Cathédral Wash (avec préférence pour
cette dernière) suivant les temps (météo et timing)
J8 : samedi : Antelope upper, horseshoe, petite baignade Lake Powell (petit moment de rafraichissement).
J'aimerai aussi pouvoir faire Waterholes Canyon. Nuit Page
J9 : Départ Bryce par la Cottonwood. nuit Bryce avec première petite visite.
J10 : Bryce. Nuit
J11 : Direction SLC par la rte 12. Nuit SLC (rapide découverte si on arrive assez tôt, je ne me rend pas bien
compte du temps du trajet avec les arrêts incontournables).
Si Outlett pas fait le 1er jour, trajet plus rapide, shopping en fin de journée et nuit à Park city.
J12 : route 89 pour YELLOWSTONE.
J13 à J16 : YELLO
J17 : matin : suivant l'envie : fin de Yello puis découverte de Grand Téton, ou journée entière à Grand Téton.
Nuit à Jackson Hole.
J18 : Avion Jackson à 13H15.
Voilà, En travaillant vos conseils j'ai rajouté une nuit à MOAB, 1 à Page (qui mérite certainement encore plus) et peut être une petite matinée à Yellowstone si besoin. Pas mal, non ? Mais que c'est dur de choisir.
Merci pour vos nouvelles remarques.
Région des USA. Je viens vous solliciter à mon tour pour votre avis sur un circuit, le nôtre, qui aura lieu à partir du 30.09.07 ou 01.10.07 pour dix sept…
Voilà nous sommes une famille de 5 (2 adultes, 3 filles de 16, 13, 9 ans) et partons du 31/07 au 17/08 pour notre rève américain. voici le planning: J1 BXL -…
Je souhaiterais avoir votre avis sur un voyage que j’organise pour le printemps ou l’automne 2011 dans l’ouest américain et une extension à New York... Voila…
Voici donc l'itinéraire que je prévois pour le mois de mai à 2 billets d'avion achetés arrivé Phoenix départ SF On ne visite pas les villes c'est voulu on…
On prepare un voyage sur la côte Est américaine pour cet été (Juillet-Aout 2010) et j'aimerais avoir votre avis sur cette itinéraire. J1: Paris-Miami J2: Miami…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
