Bonjour à tous,
Je pars 6 semaines aux USA à partir du 3 avril.
Je n'arrive pas à établir d'itinéraire précis, pouvez-vous m'aider ?
Sachant que je débute mon voyage à Los angeles et que je le termine à San francisco.
Je loue une voiture de L.A. à L.A. pour 28 jours et je prends un avion pour S.F. après.
Je souhaite visiter les parcs nationaux de l'ouest américain pendant ce temps.
LA et SF ne doivent pas apparaître dans l'itinéraire car ils seront visité à part et je souhaite passer 2 jours à Las vegas.
Je vous met donc à contribution pour créer selon vos expériences précédentes l'itinéraire idéal pour ces 28 jours.
Voici l'itinéraire que je souhaite faire, est-ce faisable ?
J0: arrivée à LA
J1: LA
J2: LA
J3: LA - prise location voiture
J4: San diego
J5: Joshua tree
J6: Las Vegas
J7: Death valley
J8: Grand canyon
J9: zion
J10: bryce canyon
J11: capitol reef
J12: canyonlands
J13: arches
J14: trajet vers Salt lake city
J15: Salt lake city
J16: trajet vers Jackson WY
J17: grand teton
J18: yellowstone
J19: yellowstone
J20: trajet vers glacier
J21: glacier - trajet vers north cascades
J22: north cascades trajet vers olympic
J23: olympic
J24: olympic-seattle
J25: trajet vers crater lake
J26: crater lake- trajet vers yosemite
J27: Yosemite
J28: San francisco
J29: San francisco
J30: sequoia- kings canyon
J31: pismo beach
J32: retour location LA
Des zig-zags inutiles, des parcs fermés en hiver (ou fortement limités) et trop de choses en un mois... Bref, il faut revoir ta copie.
Tout d'abord, je te conseille d'utiliser Google Maps - http://maps.google.com/ - et sa fonction "itinéraire" (ou "Get directions"). Tu pourras ainsi visualiser ton trajet et voir le temps nécessaire à chaque étape. Ça sera un bon début.
Voici l'itinéraire que je souhaite faire, est-ce faisable ?
J0: arrivée à LA
J1: LA
J2: LA
J3: LA - prise location voiture Perso, à LA, je l'aurai prise dès le 1er jour
J4: San diego
J5: Joshua tree
J6: Las Vegas
J7: Death valley Plus logique d'y passer avant Las vegas
J8: Grand canyon Pas vraiment sur la route là...Eventuellement faire le North Rim entre Zion et Bryce...
J9: zion
J10: bryce canyon
J11: capitol reef
J12: canyonlands
J13: arches
J14: trajet vers Salt lake city
J15: Salt lake city
J16: trajet vers Jackson WY
J17: grand teton
J18: yellowstone
J19: yellowstone Je peux pas trop en parler, n'y étant pas allé, mais on entend souvent dire qu'il faut un minimum de 3 ou 4 jours au Yellowstone.
J20: trajet vers glacier
J21: glacier - trajet vers north cascades
J22: north cascades trajet vers olympic
J23: olympic
J24: olympic-seattle
J25: trajet vers crater lake
J26: crater lake- trajet vers yosemite
J27: Yosemite
J28: San francisco
J29: San francisco Court pour SF
J30: sequoia- kings canyon
J31: pismo beach Beaucoup de route sur la fin..
J32: retour location LA
Même si vous avez bp de temps, c'est quand même un peu trop ambitieux. A votre place, J'enlèverai tout après Yellowstone à part San Francisco et Yosemite pour rajouter des jours ailleurs.
Edit : Ah oui j'avais pas vu la date de votre voyage... effectivement, même chose alors que précédemment, et même Yellowstone ça risque d'être chaud à cette saison. Vous feriez mieux de faire un circuit plus au sud (Californie/Nevada/Utah/Arizona/ Nouveau Mexique)
Merci des remarques, je ne pensai pas que certains parc pouvaient être fermés.
Je vais revoir ma copie et vérifier les ouvertures de certains parcs, je pense abandonner certains parcs du nord et peut-être faire Olympic NP d'un coup d'avion depuis San francisco.
J'ai oublié Monument valley dans mon itinéraire, à revoir donc...
Effectivement, non! Je rejoins les autres. En plus en avril, les parcs au Nord (Yellowstone, Glacier...) ont de nombreuses routes fermées et donc de nombreux sites sont inaccessibles en voiture.
De même à Yosemite la Tioga sera fermée 😉
Concentre-toi sur les parcs du Sud Ouest. Un petit détour par le Nouveau-Mexique peut être? 😉
Pour avoir fait cette région en 2 voyages de 2/3 semaines chaque fois mais en été, et une partie du parcours, je rejoins les autres commenatires sur la période, avec les risques à Yellowstone/Yosemite (je ne connais pas plus au nord de Yellowstone mais ça doit être pareil).
Sinon, en timing ça doit passer mais c'est chargé. Je conseillerai aussi de limiter avec plus de séjour dans certains parcs surtout si tu aimes la nature et la rando. Par ex, 3 jours à Yellowstone sont nécessaires, et rien qu'entre Zion, Bryce et Capitol reef tu peux passer la semaine.
En revanche, Salt Lake City à mes yeux ne vaut qu'une halte rapide, et mieux vaut filer à Jackson le Trou pour faire Grand Teton.
EN tout cas c'est un truc super que tu prépares, enjoy it!
Bon après quelques recherches et beaucoup de réflexions en prenant compte des remarques que j'ai pu avoir voici mon séjour par encore définitif ...
Je compte rester 5/6 jours sur Page et Kanab pour pouvoir tenter ma chance pour the wave.
J'ai vérifier et je pense qu'au niveau climat fin avril sera bon pour Yellowstone et grand teton.
Arrivée toujours le 3 avril.
J1: arrivée à LA
J2: LA
J3: LA
J4: prise en charge de la voiture de loc puis route vers San diego
J5: San diego puis Joshua tree
J6: Death valley
J7: Las Vegas
J8: route vers Kanab 1°"camp de base" pour les 3 prochains jours (pour pouvoir tanter ma chance facilement pour the wave)
J9: Zion ou Bryce canyon ou the wave
J10: Zion ou Bryce canyon ou the wave
J11: Zion ou Bryce canyon ou the wave
J12: Glen canyon (hotel à Page)
J13: Grand canyon (hotel à Page)
J14: Monument valley + route vers Moab
J15: Moab 2° "camp de base" pour
J16: Canyonland
J17: Canyonland
J18: Arches
J19: Arches
J20: Capitol reef (suggestions pour la ville étape ?)
J21: route vers Salt lake city
J22: route vers Jackson
J23: Yellowstone
J24: Yellowstone
J25: Yellowstone/grand teton
J26: grand teton
J27: trajet vers Reno
J28: Yosemite
J29: Yosemite
J30: Sequoia Forest
J31: retour location de voiture à LA + vol vers San Francisco
J32 à 37: San francisco (pas trop long ?)
J38: départ pour : Seattle/Vancouver ou Philadelphie/NYC ou France ou les trois dans l'ordre je suis pas fixé.
Qu 'en pensez-vous? Au niveau timing? réalisable? des oublis de sites? plus de temps/moins de temps sur un endroit?
Je trouve que c'est pas une bonne idée de se baser à Page pour rayonner à Zion et Bryce ou Grand Canyon!
Pour Zion, tu dois loger à Springdale. Pour Bryce, loger à Tropic. Pour Grand Canyon, loger à Grand Canyon Village ou Tusayan.
Exemple: Page - Bryce - Retour à Page, c'est 6h de route dans la journée sans arrêts! Reste peu de temps pour visiter! 🏴☠️
Pour Capitol Reef, loger à Torrey.
Pour Yellowstone, je n'ai pas étudié la faisabilité fin avril, mais une chose est sûre, il faut 4 jours pleins sur place pour faire les incontournables. Donc tu as largement pas assez.
Enfin, pour visiter Los Angeles (en si peu de temps), je te conseille fortement de louer une voiture dès ta descente de l'avion et non à ton départ de Los Angeles.
A la fin, étant à Yosemite, je ne vois pas pourquoi tu redescends à Los Angeles pour prendre un vol pour San Francisco, alors que tu n'es pas si loin de San Francisco...
En 38 jours, tu peux te faire un circuit de rêve! Mais il faut encore changer des choses dans la manière dont tu vois les choses 😉
J4 San Diego : juste pour une soirée ? est ce bien "utile" ? mini un jour pour apprécier la ville (Gaslamp) et la côte (La Jolla , Coronado, .....) plus un jour si Seaworld ou Zoo
J8 à J13 faire deux points fixes Kanab et Page implique de nombreux aller/retour demandant temps et kilométrage, surtout un Page Grand Canyon South et retour (North Rim est fermée en avril)
J20 classiquement Torrey, vu ton trajet, quid de la scenic byway 12 ? Burr Trail ?
J27 Grand Teton/Reno !! 12h de route !!
J32 à J37 San Francisco 6 jours pleins c'est bien, mais vu le speed de certaines portions peut-être un ou deux jours de moins à reportee ailleur. San Francisco mérite au moins un jour avec voiture pour Sausalito Point Reyes Point Bonita, (pas Muir Woods tu auras vu mieux), et un petit tour en centre ville pour monter/descendre quelques rues/avenues typiques ....
Sinon globalement avril sera surement beau mais de frais à froid dans tous les parcs d'altitude.
Je tiens à préciser que mon itinéraire avec la voiture de location est de 28 jours, le séjour en lui même peut durer longtemps ce n'est pas un souci.
Je ne loue que 28 jour car je suis jeune conducteur (24 ans) et que cela coûte assez cher avec les taxes, que j'avais oublié au dessus, 850€ pour une prius; pour avoir ce prix je suis obligé de prendre et de ramener la prius à LA.
Par contre je pense enlever San diego de ce premier séjour qui me parait déjà bien rempli.
Los Angeles ne m'attire pas du tout, je veux juste faire Venice beach et le musée d'art contemporain, c'est pour cela que je consacre à cette ville si peu de temps.
Je réflechi aussi sur le fait de louer une seconde voiture une semaine pour visiter les alentours de San francisco, inclut Yosemite...
Quelle route choisir pour Grand Canyon village ?
Une petite question à tous :
Est-il plus intéressant de louer un SUV ou une Prius hybride ou une économique ?
Sachant qu'il y a beaucoup de route à faire et que j'aimerai aller à the wave.
Après de multiples recherches, j'ai réussi à trouver des tarifs de location de voiture plus intéressant, mais je dois toujours partir et ramener la voiture à LA (tarif le moins cher).
Je ne sais toujours pas quel genre de véhicule louer ! Je pense plutôt à un SUV vu les carnets de voyage que j'ai pu parcourir.
Donc j'ai la possibilité si besoin de rallonger ma location de quelques jours si besoin est.
J'ai un nouveau itinéraire qui semble être le plus crédible et le plus réalisable.
Reste à savoir où je pourrai caser the wave sachant que je n'ai pas de réservation.
C'est parti pour mon troisième essai !
J1: Arrivée LA
J2: Venice beach et Musée d'art contemporain, le reste ne m'intéresse pas.
J3: Prise de voiture de location assez tôt - route pour Death valley (hôtel?)
J4: Las Vegas
J5: rte pour Grand canyon South rim (hotêl Grand canyon village)
J6: Matin South rim - après midi North rim (hôtel ?)
J7: Matin North rim - après midi route pour monument valley (hôtel ?)
J8: Monument valley (hôtel à Mexican hat ?)
J9: Monument valley route pour Moab (hôtel Moab)
J10: Arches (hôtel Moab)
J11: Arches (hôtel Moab)
J12: Canyonlands (hôtel Moab)
J13: Canyonlands - rte vers Torrey (hôtel Torrey)
J14: Capitol reef (hôtel Torrey)
J15: Route 12 : Torrey-Tropic (hôtel Tropic)
J16: Bryce canyon - route le soir pour Springdale (hôtel Springdale)
J17: Zion (hôtel Springdale)
J18: rte vers Salt lake city
J19: rte vers Jackson WY
J20: Grand teton (hôtel jackson) 22 avril
J21: Grand teton (hôtel jackson) 23 avril
J22: Yellowstone (hotêl Jackson ?) 24 avril parc ouvert d'après ce que j'ai compris
J23: Yellowstone (hotêl Jackson ?) 25 avril
J24: Yellowstone (hotêl Jackson ?) 26 avril
J25: Yellowstone - début route pour San Francisco (motel sur la route)
J26: route San Francisco si possible (motel sur la route) 16 heures de route Jackson-SF !
J27: Point reyes - Point bonita - Sausalito (hôtel)
J28: Aperçu de San Francisco en voiture des idées ? - route vers Yosemite (hôtel?)
J29: Yosemite (hôtel ?)
J30: Yosemite - route pour Sequoia (hôtel ?)
J31: Sequoia - route pour LA (hôtel sur LA)
J32: Retour location de voiture - vol vers San Francisco
J33: San Francisco en piéton
J34: San Francisco en piéton
J35: San Francisco en piéton
J36: San Francisco en piéton
J37: San Francisco en piéton
J38: retour France
Je pense que cet itinéraire n'est pas trop fatiguant au niveau route et qu'il fait l'essentiel des parcs nationaux de l'ouest américain.
Je vous remercie d'apporter à nouveaux vos remarques positives ou négatives ainsi que vos idées pour l'hôtel aux étapes qui manque.
Quelques personnes m'ont invité à aller au Nouveau-Mexique, Pourquoi ?
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!
Proposition d'itinéraire pour 28 jours dans l'Ouest américain 
