Salut a tous! en 2001, j'ai fait 4 semaines aux USA en atterissant a LA et en repartant de SF ( Yosemite, Las Vegas, grand canyon, Bryce, monument Valle..).
Pour fin aout 2012, j'ai 2 semaines avec ma copine et veut lui faire découvrir les parcs de l'utah. Voici l'idée:
J1 : atterissage a Las Vegas a 18h30. Soirée et nuit.
J2 : départ pour Bryce et visite du canyon.
J3 : route 12 vers Capitol Reef.
J4 : capitol reef
J5 : route vers Moab
J6,7 et 8 : Arches et Canyonlands
J9 : route vers Monument Valley
J10 : Monument Valley. Ballade a Cheval.
J11 : route vers Lac Powell
J12 : route vers Grand Canyon.
J13 : Grand Canyon ( South)
J14 : route vers antelope Canyon et visite.
J15 : retour Las Vegas.
Seul hic, on redecolle J15 en fin d'après midi. Ou gagner 1 journée? Est ce possible de faire plus?? On va camper et on a l'habitude de la vadrouille, on est équipé! Merci pour vos idées
Ton J14 est mal placé car Antelope Canyon se situe, au même titre que le Lac Powell du côté de Page. Ne pas oublier Hoseshoe Bend également. Pourquoi pas aussi Marble Canyon et Cathedral Wash.
Si vous ne voulez pas faire un bout de descente dans le Grand Canyon (via South Kaibab Trail) vous pouvez gagner un jour là. A Monument Valley également 2 nuits ne se justifient pas.
Prévoir aussi des visites entre les étapes:
Entre Las Vegas et Bryce: Valley Of Fire et Zion mais ça risque d'être très juste. je mettrais 2 nuits à Bryce plutôt qu'à Capitol Reef à moins que vous ne prévoyiez la piste de Cathedral Valley.
Entre Bryce et Capitol Reef: Devil's Garden du côté d'Escalante ou Lower Calf Creek Falls
Entre Capitol Reef et Moab: Goblin Valley State Park.
Du côté de Moab: outre Arches et Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, Corona Arch ou Fisher Towers.
Entre Moab et Monument Valley: Muley Point, Moki Dugway et Goosenecks State Park.
Tu peux aller jeter un oeil sur mon blog, même s'il n'y a pas encore tous les sites, ça te donnera des idées et le timing des visites.
Vous pouvez gagner une journée à Monument Valley.
La route entre Moab et MV n'est pas si longue , vous pouvez faire votre balade à cheval l'après midi (ou en fin d'après midi).
Antelope Canyon se fait lorsque vous êtes à Page (Lake Powell)
Bonne préparation.
Bonnes fêtes de fin d'année.
Cordialement,
Merci pour ces precieuses infos. Que pensez vous de cette nouvelle idée :
J1 : arrivée las Vegas 15h30. Récupérer sacs + voiture et 1h30 de route vers valley of fire. Jouable je pense.
J2 : matin, valley of fire
Aprem,4h de route pour Bryce
J3 : bryce puis 1h de route pour escalante
J4 : devils garden rando.
J5 : route pour Moab 5h en passant par Gablin valley.
J6,7 et 8 : Arches, Canyonlands...
J9 : route pour Monument Valley par Muley point et Moki Dugway, 5h.
J10 : Monument Valley puis 4 h de route pour Page.
J 11 : antilop canyon puis baignade dans lac Powell.
J 12 : direction grand canyon north RIM en passant par marble canyon
J 13 : north RIM
J 14 : retour las Vegas . 6h de route. Soirée et nuit a las Vegas qu'on aura pas vu au debut.
J15 : décollage a 20h00.
En fait, j'ai supprimé Capitol reef mais en plus on a une vraie journée rando dans devils garden, une vraie soirée a las Vegas et une journée repos au bord du lac Powell. Ça me plait plus ainsi et les kms restent maîtrisés et maitrisable. Au Québec, on avait fait 3000 bornes en 3 semaines et ça avait été. Je pense que la ça doit faire dans les 2000 environ en 2 semaines. Qu'en pensez vous ??
J1 : arrivée las Vegas 15h30. Récupérer sacs + voiture et 1h30 de route vers valley of fire. Jouable je pense.
Jouable, oui, mais il faudra être attentif car votre horloge biologique sera déjà au lendemain (>24h). Bien dormir dans l'avion (pas mon cas 🙁).
J2 : matin, valley of fire Aprem,4h de route pour Bryce
Juste avant Bryce, Red Canyon que vous traverserez aux bonnes heures.
J4 : devils garden rando.
Devil's Garden ne te prendra pas toute la journée ; pourquoi ne pas pousser jusqu'à Dry Fork, Peek-A-Boo et Spooky Gulch ? Voir sur mon site page Escalante 2 (Hole in the Rock Road).
J9 : route pour Monument Valley par Muley point et Moki Dugway, 5h.
Au passage, Goosenecks SP ne te prendra pas très longtemps et mérite le détour. Tu aurais peut-être même le temps de faire MV avant la nuit et donc de gagner du temps.
J10 : Monument Valley puis 4 h de route pour Page.
Ne pas oublier Horseshoe Bend.
J 12 : direction grand canyon north RIM en passant par marble canyon
La route est longue mais il y a plusieurs petits arrêts à faire 😉 en cours de route.
J 14 : retour las Vegas . 6h de route. Soirée et nuit a las Vegas qu'on aura pas vu au debut.
Comme tu ne dis pas avoir vu Zion, tu peux faire le passage par ce parc, cela te fais juste une heure de route de plus et la (toute) petite rando juste avant le tunnel te donne une belle vue, même si ce n'est que très parcellaire.
Attention Devil's Garden à Escalante ne te prendra pas toute une journée. Il y a une piste d'une dizaine de miles à prendre avec la voiture puis on se balade dans le "jardin" à son gré. Ce n'est pas vraiment une randonnée. 😛 J'avais juste cité ça pour couper la route entre Bryce et Capitol Reef.
Une vraie rando un peu plus loin sur la route 12: Lower Calf Creek Falls qui mène à une belle chute d'eau.
Merci merci. Pour horseshoe bend, c'est prevu😉. Zion, on y passe aussi! Par contre j'ai vu que "the wave" s'était un peu galère car il limite considérablement le nombre de visiteurs par jour, c'est pour ça que j'ai pas mis.
Autre chose, nous partons a 2 et nos petites jumelles de 2 ans resteront chez papi et mami. Jhesitais avec une boucle du côté du Wyoming et le Yellowstone mais cette boucle serait plus sympa a faire avec des enfants que celle des parcs de Utah. Le Wyoming c'est plus les animaux, bisons, chevaux...
Qu'en pensez vous??
Sinon ma boucle dans l'Utha ça se tient a priori hormis quelques détails??
Le Wyoming c'est super sympa aussi 😛, le Yellowstone un endroit fabuleux. Qui s’intègre très bien dans un circuit autour de Salt Lake City ou de Denver.
Wyoming, je limagine plus vert et plus cow boy!!! Ce sera la boucle avec les enfants dans ... 6 ans!! Faut quelles grandissent! Merci pour tout.
Une dernière question : j'ai trouvé un vol aller et retour direct de Paris sans escale ( rare j'ai l'impression ) a 770E par personne assurance inclus. Avez vous des sites ou bons plans sur des billets??
On prévoit de partir du 23/8 au 6/9, faut il réserver les campings? Si on part du 17/8 ai 1/9, faut il aussi réserver ??
Merci
Une dernière question : j'ai trouvé un vol aller et retour direct de Paris sans escale ( rare j'ai l'impression ) a 770E par personne assurance inclus. Avez vous des sites ou bons plans sur des billets??
Cela doit être chez XL Airways j'imagine? C'est un bon prix. Je n'ai jamais volé sur cette compagnie mais j'imagine qu'il ne faut pas s'attendre à être servi comme un roi.
Les prix de l'aérien pour l'Amérique du Nord ont beaucoup augmenté pour 2012 donc à mon avis, aux dates où tu pars il te sera difficile de trouver moins cher... 😉 A moins d'un effondrement des prix dans les prochaines semaines? On ne sait jamais 😛
Tu vois Yellowstone relégué au rang de par d'attraction pour enfants 😉 hi, hi, hi
Sinon le jeune homme a raison l'Utah est plus dépaysant 😎
Joyeusement
Max
Salut Maxou
Tu n'en manques pas une 😛 😉
Je pense personnellement que le Yellowstone est aussi dépaysant que les Parcs de l'Utah 🙂. A mon avis, point de geysers et de sources multicolores dans notre pays 😉.
Par contre, il est vrai que le Yellowstone a plus de chance de plaire à un enfant (animaux, geysers, couleurs) que Capitol Reef par exemple 😏.
Pour gagner du temps à la fin du J8 il ne faut pas dormir à moab mais deja redescendre du coté de blanding ou bluff.Ainsi le lendemain vous serait plus proche de gooseneck , valley of god et muley point , voir meme de natural bridge.
Yellowstone et Wyoming, ce doit être dépaysant aussi mais plus ludique pour les enfants que l'Utah. Un bison plaira plus a un enfant de 8 ans qu'une "grosse montagne rouge de monument valley"😉. Si j'ai bien compris, nous devons aller dans le Wyoming avant le 21/12/12, dur dur😉
Si j'ai bien compris, nous devons aller dans le Wyoming avant le 21/12/12, dur dur😉
Et profiter en général de tout la région de l'Ouest américain avant le 21.12.12 😛. Car si le supervolcan du Yellowstone explosait, c'est bien une grande partie de l'Amérique du Nord qui se retrouverait sous une épaisse couche de cendre 🤪
Pour me faire pardonner ma disgression voici quelques éléments:
J1: LV - Valley of Fire: 1h30 jusqu'au parking de White DOme (rando qui fait 1h15), faire aussi le nouveau site à la mode: Red Wave à proximité
J2: VoF - Zion 3h25 / pause avec petite ballade Canyon Overlook (1h) / route pour Bryce 2 heures / ballade sur la Rim à Bryce
J3: Bryce Queen Garden + Navajo Loop (2h30) / route Devil Garden 2h / ballade dans Devil 1h / route Torrey 2h / Scenic Drive dans Capitol Reef puis coucher de soleil sur Panorama Point
J4: Cathedral Valley
J5: Route vers Moab avec arrêt Goblins Valley + Crack Canyon. Cela vous fera arriver vers 15/16 h à Moab. Petite ballade de fin de journée dans Arche pour le coucher de soleil (pourquoi pas Delicate Arch)
J6: Re Arches le matin, après il fait trop chaud piscine ou Negro Bill Canyon
J7: Canyonland Island of the Sky: Mesa Arch, White Rim Overlook, .. puis retour en passant par la Shafer TRail puis Potash Road (avec un arrêt à Corona Arch si vous avez encore le courage)
J8: Survol en avion de Canyonlands (Oups là je reprend trop mon propre parcours, mais qu'est-ce que c'était beau 😎) sinon un petit tour du côté de Hurrah Pass ou Sand Flat Road - route jusqu'aux Needles (camping sur place
J9: Chelser Park Overlook (4h) - route vers Monument Valley avec un arrêt par exemple à Mule Canyon (House of Fire - 1h30), puis Valley of the God et Gooseneck Sp (juste un point de vue donc rapide) pour finir en beauté par un tour dans Monument Valley
J10 Monument Valley - route vers Page (2h et en plus tu gagne 1h) - Antelope Canyon - plage ou Toadstool Hoodoos
J11 Cathedral Wash et Lee Ferry - route Grand Canyon
J12 Grand Canyon
J13 Grand Canyon - Las Vegas
J14 Las Vegas
J15 Départ
Plus "cow boy" sans doute (encore que du côté de Hanksville ou Escalante UT par exemple cette ambiance est aussi prégnante) , mais pour ce qui est du vert des herbages pas tant que ça , en tous cas pour la seule partie Jackson-Yellowstone -Cody que je connais .
Je m' attendais toujours à trouver + de verdure à mesure que nous montions vers le N (c' était en septembre) . Mais rien à voir avec la Normandie ou le Pays basque ! Finalement l' Ouest américain est une région semi-aride en dehors des massifs montagneux qui reçoivent + de précipitations , tout au moins au sud d' une ligne San Francisco-Yellowstone .
Voyage fait, le top!! Planning parfait.
Jour 1 : départ de Las Vegas pour Zion en passant par Valley of fire
Jour 2 : visite de Zion puis départ pour Bryce
Jour 3 :visite de Bryce puis départ pour Capitol reef
Jour 4 : visite de Capitol reef puis départ pour Moab
Jour 5 : visite de Arch
Jour 6 : visite de Canyonlands puis départ pour Boulder
Jour 7 : visite de valley of the gods puis visite de Monument Valley
Jour 8 : départ pour lac Powell et visite de antelope et lower canyon.
Jour 9 : excursion sur lac Powell puis départ pour Grand Canyon
Jour 10 : visite du Grand canyon
Jour 11 : départ pour Los Angeles
Jour 12 : visite de LA
Jour 13 : le matin LA puis départ pour las Vegas. Visite de LV le soir.
Jour 14 : retour Paris
je conseille vraiment ce circuit car rythme super, pas fatiguant, routes vraiment superbes! Vraiment extra a tout niveau
Nous partons en septembre, de Montréal en voiture, vers l'Utah, si vous avez des conseils recommandations ou avis ils sont les bienvenues! Nous dormirons…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 65 replies
Tout d'abord un grand merci pour vos précieux conseils, je sais qu'il y a moultes conversations sur ce passionnant sujet qu'est l'ouest américain!!! J'ai déjà…
Je pars en voyage tdm et je serai dans l'ouest des USA en aout. Une amie me rejoin à san Francisco et repart de Los Angeles 14 jours après, nous aimerions…
Un ami et moi sommes en train de finaliser un parcours dans l'ouest Américain, de 14 jours. Je souhaiterais avoir un avis de la communauté sur la faisabilité…
Pour une premiere fois aux EU, nous aimerions tenter l'ouest en circuit individuel dit: AUTOTOURS!! la formule LET'S GO WEST de Vacances transat sur 14 jours…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
