Bonjour les maillons forts. Après un premier circuit en 2008 :
Phoenix - SF , via GC / Mnt Valley / Cap. Reef / Bryce/ zion / Vegas DV et Yosemite , pour donner une idée de ce qu'on a déjà vu.
Nouveau projet (hé oui on y prend gout!)
Juillet 2010 - 4 semaines
Qui : Papa maman + le grand de 21 ans (emmenez les dans l'ouest USA, et là ils partent avec vous en vacances 😉) le petit 9 ans
Objectifs :
-voir nouvelles régions Glacier NP et Yellowstone / GT.
- Voir des choses qu'on a zappé faute de temps au premier voyage : Moab arches et Canyonland, mesa verde voir Durango, et on se tate pour Hopi Reservation , et Page Antelope canyon > arbitrages à faire
- Refaire Grand Canyon , mais dormir au fond (et remonter tant qu'à faire 😎) - Surement pas pour le petit😕
Activités : rando rando rando , voir plan raft à caser , visites , photo
Last but not least : essayer de favoriser les rencontres, point sur lequel on est passé à côté lors du 1er voyage, trop occupés que nous étions à regarder et shooter les paysages.
Donc voici l'avant projet, merci d'avance pour toutes vos idées (répartition des jours / intéret des sites / trucs à voir en chemin et ce n'est pas limité )
Départ 1er Juillet
- 1 soirée arrivée à Spokane (pas Kalispell car 600 euros de + / vol, 300 de + pour la voiture) - Nuit à Spokane
- 2 Spokane > Glacier NP - Lake Mcdonald - Nuit à Lake MD
- 3 Lake MD > Lake MD - balades / lac / récupération - Nuit à lake MD
- 4 Lake MD > Many glaciers - Rando autour de Logan pass - Going to the sun rd - Nuit à many glacier
- 5 Many glacier > Many glacier - Rando encore et encore - Nuit à Many glacier
- 6 Many Glacier > East glacier - Rando secteur Two medicine - Nuit à East glacier
- 7 East glacier > Yellowstone - On pose les valises pour 6 nuits à Canyon de YLST (central)- Hésitation sur la lgr du trajet : étape vers Helena et 5 nuits à YLST ???
- 8 - 12 visite de YLST et rando.
- 13 YLST > Grand Teton - Ballades - Nuit à GT
- 14 Grand Teton > Grand Teton - Rando - Soirée à Jackson - nuit à GT
- 15 Grant Teton > Salt Lake City - Antelope Island ? - Nuit à SLC
- 16 SLC > SLC - Visite SLC - Nuit à SLC
- 17 SLC > MOAB - On pose les valises pour 4 nuits
- 18-20 MOAB>MOAB - Arches / Cannyonland
- 21 MOAB > Mesa Verde - Visite Mesa verde - Nuit à Mesa Verde
- 22 Mesa Verde > Durango - Visite de Mesa Verde - Soirée / Nuit à Durango
- 23 Durango > Durango - Train Durango - Silvertone - Nuit à Durango
- 24 Durango > Monument Valley - Visite MV fin journée - Nuit à MV
- 25 MV > Gd Canyon Nuit à GC South rim
- 26 GC > GC - Descente Phantom ranch. Nuit à GC Phantom Ranch . Je pense que Dylan 9ans restera en haut avec maman. Si qqun a déja fait l'A/R sur 2 jours en juillet avec un enfant de cette age, qu'il le dise mais j'en doute un peu
- 27 GC > GC - Remontée du canyon, ballades sur le rim pour les autres - Nuit à GC
- 28 GC > Las Vegas - Via Flagstaff ? Williams, la route 66 - Hoover Dam - tout ça à voir . Nuit à Vegas
- 29 Vegas > Vegas - On dépense les dollars qui nous reste. Donc de ce côté , aucun risque 🤪
- 30 Vol retour depuis Vegas
Une portion est en ballotage avec options suivantes :
- 22 Mesa Verde > Mesa Verde - Visite de Mesa Verde - Soirée / Nuit à M Verde
- 23 Mesa Verde > Monument Valley - Visite MV fin journée - Nuit à MV
- 24 MV > Page - Visite Antelope Canyon
- 25 Page > Gd Canyon Nuit à GC South rim
- 22 Mesa Verde > Mesa Verde - Visite de Mesa Verde - Soirée / Nuit à M Verde
- 23 Mesa Verde > Canyon Chelly - Nuit à ?
- 24 Canyon Chelly > Hopi reservation - Nuit à 2nd Mesa
- 25 2nd Mesa > Gd Canyon Nuit à GC South rim
Beau projet en perspective , l'année dernière nous avons fait un itinéraire approchant , quelques imprévus nous ont amené à modifier le projet surtout à Glacier NP , le route Going to the South fermant la veille de notre arrivée pour des travaux avant l'hiver , tu ne devrais pas avoir ce problème en pleine saison . Pour un aperçu de nos impressions et un carnet de voyage , tu peux lire nos "écrits" là : http://voyageforum.com/voyage/etats-unis_de_seattle_san_francisco_automne_2008_premiere_partie_D2234412/ et là : http://voyageforum.com/voyage/F19/v.f?post=2503713;#2503713 .
Quelques remarques :
Selon ton heure d'arrivée à Spokane et la fatigue , tu pourrais t'avancer sur ton trajet du lendemain , Spokane ne m'a pas laissé un grand souvenir . Pour remonter vers Glacier nous avions pris ce chemin http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Spokane, +WA&daddr=48.669199, -116.312256+to:Glacier+Park, +Inc., +PO+Box+2025, +Columbia+Falls, +MT+59912+(Cabins+In+Glacier+National+Park)&hl=fr&geocode=FRw31wIdgTgA-Q%3B%3BFXbZ5QIdMFw2-SF4Fqy6yh0sAA&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=8&via=1&sll=48.221013, -115.757446&sspn=2.796211, 5.344849&ie=UTF8&z=8 , Sandpoint est une étape agréable au bord du lac , la route par Kootenay NF est belle .
Si tu envisages de coucher à Lake Mc Donald , les cabins du lodge sont sympa et propres mais un peu vieillottes , super resto , cadre magnifique.
Pout ton J7 , grosse étape , nous étions passé par Flathead Lake rive Est , Missoula puis Helena pour la nuit , jolie ville .
Les nuits à Grand Teton , il y a peux d'hébergement , réserver ! Sinon Jackson offre un choix important.
Un jour plein à SLC , perso non , mais les avis sont partagés , oui si tu t'intéresses aux Mormons et à leurs "oeuvres" (batiments , généalogie , croyances , ...)
Moab oui !!! 4 jours pleins c'est bien , si tu peux faire Shaffer Trail , Potash Road , Musselman Arch (il vaut mieux un 4x4 pour assurer le coup , et pas de pluie pour piste sêche) c'est un aspect de Canyonlands unique selon moi. La partie des Needles est faisable lors de ton trajet vers Durango , les points de vue Antycline et Needles Overlook sont à faire.
Ne pas faire Page avec Antelope , HorseshoeBend c'est dommage.
Mesa Verde demande du temps , route longue , visites à réserver avec guide si tu veux , beaucoup de monde en juillet , fait un peu doublon avec Chelly .
Durango , ville très agréable , Red Mountain Pass très belle route , Silverton à voir car encore un peu dans son jus avec des rues non goudronnées mais surement très touristique en juillet , Ouray jolie petite ville , belle cascade . Le train de Durango à voir lors du départ , amusant , à faire je ne sais pas mais prend la journée complète.
La Hopi Reservation en 1998 , rien ne se faisait vraiment , je n'ai donc le souvenir que d'une région désertique certe , mais désolée et pauvre voir miséreuse de par les conditions de vie et d'habitats. Il y a maintenant semble t'il des "choses" à voir que les Hopis commencent à divulguer. http://www.hopiculturalcenter.com/ , http://www.aaanativearts.com/article956.html .
Je prévois pour mon 5ème voyage de passer à Glacier, mais fin juin .
Mais j'y serai moins longtemps, les grandes randonnées et moi, il y a longtemps qu'est plus copain
Pour ton programme
Très bien pour Yellowstone
Je confirme qu'une journée complète à SLC, n'a pas beaucoup d'intérêt
Moab OK, mais je descendrais directement à Durango par Silvertone et le Black Canyon
avant Mesa Verde (1 journée doit suffire à Mesa Verde)
Plutôt que de retourner à Monument Valley, j'irais à Chelly, si tu accepte la visite en 4x4 avec les Navajos
Bern
USA 2018 - Arizona, chez les indiens... https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9061068;#9061068
USA 2014 – Là où vous n'aviez pas pensé aller https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6769327;#6769327
USA 2012 "Au long du Rio Grande" https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5290732;#5290732
effectivement votre trajet à l'air bien ficelé. Quelques remarques cependant, j'aurais enlevé un jour à Salt Lake City (sans grand intérêt, nous avons juste passé quelques heures à antelope island) et rajouté au moins une journée à Grand Teton. Les randos y sont... Comment dire... Magnifiques! C'est l'avantage que possède ce parc sur Yellowstone, ce dernier est éblouissant, mais les possibilités de randos à Grand Tetons sont au final plus nombreuses.
Si vous souhaitez faire du rafting (à Moab?) sachez qu'en été ce sera plus de la barque qu'autre chose. Nous avons testé en juillet dernier, c'était très sympa mais... Affreusement calme! Enfin, un très bon moment quand même.
Je vous envie, Glacier est le seul parc que nous n'avons pas réussi à caser en deux voyages... L'occasion d'y retourner! Profitez en bien!
Gaëlle
"Qui a l'habitude de voyager sait qu'il y a toujours un moment où il faut partir..." Paulo Coelho
www.sevader.over-blog.com
Très bonne idée d'avoir sélectionné Glacier NP ...d'autant que vous êtes randonneurs. Il y a en effet de quoi vous régaler de ce côté là
Pour des idées de randos (mais vous en avez déjà peut-être) vous pouvez jeter un oeil sur notre récit de voyage ICI ...nous avons passé 3 jours à Glacier.
Tout d'abord, merci à tous pour les encouragements et les infos communiquées. Donc voici un premier retour :
Le premier objectif était de faire une "première passe" : caler les étapes / jours afin d'anticiper les réservations dans les lieux très demandés - surtout en juillet ...
Suivra la deuxième : le détail des étapes, visites, randos etc. Vous m'avez déjà bcp donné et je posterai sur certaines étapes au besoin.
Donc voici les changements et arbitrage opérés dans cette première passe (je finirai le post par le trip actualisé) Les conseilleurs se reconnaitront dans certaines modifications :
- Depuis Moab, on va faire 1 étape vers Durango via Silverton, puis journée et nuit suivantes à Mesa Verde
- De Mesa Verde , on a arbitré pour Monument Valley : on l'a déjà fait certes, mais coup de
coeur de Madame oblige, la nuit passée à Firetree INN BB y est pour quelque chose.
Par contre, au lieu de visiter MV le soir comme en 2008, j'envisage la chose comme ça : j'ai vu sur les liens, trouvés sur VF, bcp de choses à faire sur une étape Mesa Verde >> MValley : Valley of Gods, Muley point, Road Canyon, Moonhouse Ruins, sans parler de Natural Bridges. On ne fera surement pas tout, mais il y a, je pense, de quoi faire une joie étape, avec visite de MV le lendemain matin à la fraiche.
- On passe 1 nuit à Page : contenu des étapes MV - Page et Page GC à préciser , avec Navajo NM, Antelope Canyon et Horse shoe bend ...
- Enfin là ou je ne vous ai pas écouté 😛 : nous maintenons la journée pleine à SLC , pour en savoir un peu plus sur cette "bizarrerie", suivant aussi en celà l'avis d'amis américains (pas mormons) Si on est déçus, je reviendrai poster pour le dire ...
Pour les resa, c'est ok partout, sauf la nuit à Phantom ranch 😕, qui est pris d'assaut 13 mois à l'avance. Donc on va envoyer un permis de camper : à poster / faxer à partir du 1er / 4 mois avant pour nous donc : 1er mars.
Pour ceux que ça intéresse : http://www.grandcanyon.com/permit-procedures.html
Voilà pour les mauvaises nouvelles (quoi que le camping, c'est bien aussi)
Donc c'est tout pour le blabla, maintenant le résultat :
- 1 soirée arrivée à Spokane (pas Kalispell car 600 euros de + / vol, 300 de + pour la voiture) - Nuit à Spokane
- 2 Spokane > Glacier NP - Lake Mcdonald - Nuit à Lake MD
- 3 Lake MD > Lake MD - balades / lac / récupération - Nuit à lake MD
- 4 Lake MD > Many glaciers - Rando autour de Logan pass - Going to the sun rd - Nuit à many glacier
- 5 Many glacier > Many glacier - Rando encore et encore - Nuit à Many glacier
- 6 Many Glacier > East glacier - Rando secteur Two medicine - Nuit à East glacier
- 7 East glacier > Gardiner - Nuit à Gardiner
- 8 Gardiner > GC de Yellowstone - Secteur de Mammoth - On pose les valises pour 5 nuits à Canyon de YLST
- 9 - 12 visite des autres secteurs YLST et rando.
- 13 YLST > Grand Teton - Ballades - Nuit à GT
- 14 Grand Teton > Grand Teton - Rando - Soirée à Jackson - nuit à GT
- 15 Grant Teton > Salt Lake City - Antelope Island - Nuit à SLC
- 16 SLC > SLC - Visite SLC - Nuit à SLC
- 17 SLC > MOAB - On pose les valises pour 4 nuits
- 18-20 MOAB>MOAB - Arches / Cannyonland
- 21 MOAB > Ouray > Silverton > Durango - Nuit à Durango
- 22 Durango> Mesa Verde - Visite de Mesa Verde - Nuit à Mesa Verde
- 23 Mesa Verde - Monument Valley - Options de route : Valley of Gods, Muley point, Road Canyon, Moonhouse Ruins, Natural Bridges
- 24 Monument Valley > Page - Visite MV le matin - Navajo NM l'AM ? - Nuit à Page
- 25 Page > Gd Canyon Nuit à GC South rim. En route : Antelope Canyon et Horseshoe Bend
- 26 GC > GC - Descente du GC avec l'ainé. Nuit au fond du GC. Phantom Ranch plein >> Camping .
- 27 GC > GC - Remontée du canyon, ballades sur le rim pour maman et le petit. - Nuit à GC
- 28 GC > Las Vegas - Williams, la route 66 entre Seligman et Kingman - Hoover Dam - Nuit à Vegas
- 29 Vegas > Vegas - On dépense les dollars qui nous reste. Donc de ce côté , aucun risque 🤪
- 30 Vol retour depuis Vegas
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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).
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!
