Je voudrais avoir votre avis sur notre périple aux Etats Unis l'hiver prochain avec nos 3 petits, nous avons déjà réservé les nuits d'hôtel puisque nous ne voulons pas prendre trop de risque avec nos 3 enfants (...ne pas nous retrouver à dormir dans la voiture en plein hiver...🤪).
J'ai fait la demande à l'agence de location de voitures pour des pneus neige...
Voici notre planning:
20/12/2009 LOS ANGELES 21/12/2009 LOS ANGELES 22/12/2009 LOS ANGELES 23/12/2009 LAS VEGAS 24/12/2009 LAS VEGAS 25/12/2009 PAGE 26/12/2009 CEDAR CITY 27/12/2009 BEAVER 28/12/2009 BEAVER 29/12/2009 SALINA 30/12/2009 MOAB 31/12/2009 MOAB 01/01/2010 LEHI 02/01/2010 IDAHO FALLS 03/01/2010 GARDINER 04/01/2010 GARDINER 05/01/2010 SHERIDAN 06/01/2010 RAPID CITY 07/01/2010 RAPID CITY 08/01/2010 WHEATLAND 09/01/2010 WINDSOR 10/01/2010 WINDSOR 11/01/2010 CASTLE ROCK 12/01/2010 CASTLE ROCK 13/01/2010 LAS VEGAS/NEW MEXICO 14/01/2010 GRANTS 15/01/2010 GRANTS 16/01/2010 HOLBROOK 17/01/2010 HOLBROOK 18/01/2010 COTTONWOOD 19/01/2010 PHOENIX 20/01/2010 YUMA 21/01/2010 LOS ANGELES 22/01/2010 LOS ANGELES 23/01/2010 DEPART
Pour faire bref, comme avis, je trouve que cela ne tient pas debout.
Des étapes immenses, des lieux incontourbables zappés, tout un périple au nord et vers l'est en hiver ??!! Une boucle immense vers le Nouveau Mexique, et 4 jours à Los Angeles et pas San Francisco ?
Merci pour vtre réponse, j'ai vu votre périple au départ de Seattle, cela avit l'air super,
Nous restons quelques temps sur Los Angeles pour faire quelques courses vu que nous venons des îles, nous, n'avons pas beaucoup d'habits d'hiver! SInon nous passerons une journée à Disneyland avec les enfants, et on essaiera d'aller au staples center également, l'équipe locale devrait être en pleine saison régulière, et comme nous aimons le basket!!...😛
Sinon nous essaierons de faire le maximum de parcs nationaux, vu que je prends pour exemple le Grand Canyon, nous avons décidé de faire un stop à Williams pendant 2 jours, nous pourrons ainsi remonter en journée vers le nord pour la visite. Le hic pour nous: Nous sommes 5, donc pas évident de trouver des hôtels qui acceptent 5 personnes, et nous n'avons pas forcément beaucoup de fonds, du coup nous prenons les motel 6 et super 8 en priorité pour rester dans les chaînes d'hôtels... Donc nous choisissons des petite villes pas chères pas trop lointaines des parcs.
J'espère que nous serons satisfaits de notre voyage comme vous l'avez été! Nous y allons en hiver puisque nous n'avons pas le choix, les grandes vacances sur notre territoire ont lieu en Décembre-Janvier-Février!
Nous avons tout de même modifié un peu notre trajet en passant un jour de moins à Las Vegas, et un jour de plus à page, en annulant cedar city.. cela donne du coup:
20/12/2009 LOS ANGELES
21/12/2009 LOS ANGELES
22/12/2009 LOS ANGELES
23/12/2009 LAS VEGAS
24/12/2009 PAGE
25/12/2009 PAGE
26/12/2009 PAGE
27/12/2009 BEAVER
28/12/2009 BEAVER
29/12/2009 SALINA
30/12/2009 MOAB
31/12/2009 MOAB
01/01/2010 LEHI
02/01/2010 IDAHO FALLS
03/01/2010 GARDINER
04/01/2010 GARDINER
05/01/2010 SHERIDAN
06/01/2010 RAPID CITY
07/01/2010 RAPID CITY
08/01/2010 WHEATLAND
09/01/2010 WINDSOR
10/01/2010 WINDSOR
11/01/2010 CASTLE ROCK
12/01/2010 CASTLE ROCK
13/01/2010 LAS VEGAS
14/01/2010 GRANTS
15/01/2010 GRANTS
16/01/2010 WILLIAMS
17/01/2010 WILLIAMS
18/01/2010 COTTONWOOD
19/01/2010 PHOENIX
20/01/2010 YUMA
21/01/2010 LOS ANGELES
22/01/2010 LOS ANGELES
23/01/2010 DEPART
Salut, ton parcours comporte un nombre iportant de kms... Attention. De plus, je comprends ton argument de trouver des hôtels moins chers, mais compte que tu dois du coup faire plus de kms, donc tu payes l'essence, y es-tu gagnant de beaucoup du coup? De plus, ça te fait perdre du temps, et non seulement le temps c'est de l'argent 😛, mais aussi je trouve dommage de privilégier la route aux sites pendant ses vacances qui plus est on n'y va pas tous les jours dans l'Ouest américain alors autant en profiter! (fais un peu moins de shopping à Los Angeles et tu pourras te payer une chambre dans un parc! 😎)
20/12/2009 LOS ANGELES
21/12/2009 LOS ANGELES
22/12/2009 LOS ANGELES
23/12/2009 LAS VEGAS
24/12/2009 PAGE Via le parc national de Zion, au moins à traverser...
25/12/2009 PAGE
26/12/2009 PAGE
27/12/2009 BEAVER L'étape à Beaver, j'imagine que c'est pour voir Bryce Canyon? Encore une fois, privéligie plus près du Parc, Tropic par exemple, tu as des motels pas si chers que ça!
28/12/2009 BEAVER
29/12/2009 SALINA là je ne comprends pas à quoi sert cette étape tu veux voir quoi
30/12/2009 MOAB prévois une journée de plus sur moab, pour voir cette magnifique région: Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point and co! Le problème avec ton circuit c'est que tu ne passes pas par la scenic byway 12? Qui mérite elle aussi une étape.
31/12/2009 MOAB
01/01/2010 LEHI autant loger à Salt Lake, c'est une grande ville, je pense que tu peux trouver pas cher
02/01/2010 IDAHO FALLS
03/01/2010 GARDINER
04/01/2010 GARDINER pour faire Yellowstone? Attention à l'époque ou tu y vas il y aura beaucoup de routes fermées
05/01/2010 SHERIDAN
06/01/2010 RAPID CITY Mont Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park...
07/01/2010 RAPID CITY
08/01/2010 WHEATLAND Encore une étape trés trés bof je pene, tu peux pousser jusqu'à Cheyenne
09/01/2010 WINDSOR pareil, autant loger à Denver, des motels pas chers il doit y en avoir
10/01/2010 WINDSOR
11/01/2010 CASTLE ROCK Je ne vois pas trop l'intérêt de loger au Nord de Denver le 10 puis au Sud de Denver le 11... Pour voir quoi?
12/01/2010 CASTLE ROCK
13/01/2010 LAS VEGAS A la limite je peux comprendre que les logements à Santa Fe soient chers mais si tu cherches bien... regarde Tripadvisor
14/01/2010 GRANTS Encore une étape, je sais pas à quoi elle sert (désolé d'être aussi critique...)
15/01/2010 GRANTS En plus tu y restes 2 jours, tu as prévu de voir quoi?
16/01/2010 WILLIAMS
17/01/2010 WILLIAMS
18/01/2010 COTTONWOOD
19/01/2010 PHOENIX
20/01/2010 YUMA
21/01/2010 LOS ANGELES
22/01/2010 LOS ANGELES
23/01/2010 DEPART
Je trouve qu'il y a beaucoup de routes, tes choix d'étapes ne sont pas top... Y es-tu vraiment gagnant financièrement? J'en doute... L'essence n'est pas gratuite... Je pense que tu devrais faire moins de km et te concentrer sur une région précise (plutôt le sud en cette saison!).. A toi de voir
Merci pour tes remarques, cela ne nous dérange absolument pas au contraire!🏴☠️
C'est vrai que nous devrions voir des nuits plus proches des sites à visiter, je vais continuer de prospecter pour les réservations (à5!)
J'y avais déjà fait un saut en 1995 pour 3 semaines en été, et nous avions privilégié les motels en périphérie des grands parcs d'Utah et d'arizona, mais nous y avions été un peu en "live", c'est à dire que nous n'avions rien réservé à l'avance, mais là avec mes 3 petits, c'est différent.
C'est vrai que quelques stop paraissent inintéressants, mais je ne veux pas non plus imposer 3/4 de journée de trajet en voiture à mes enfants, et la route que je prends au départ, en passant par l'utah, ensuite plus vers le nord, je ne veux pas la reprendre au retour.
D'ailleurs j'ai fait des simulations de durée de trajet avec Google earth, je ne sais pas trop ce que cela vaut, cependant cela donne toujours une indication au niveau temps...
Je reviens sur notre itinéraire:
22/12/2009 LOS ANGELES
23/12/2009 LAS VEGAS
24/12/2009 PAGE Via le parc national de Zion, au moins à traverser... // Ce sera le cas
25/12/2009 PAGE
26/12/2009 PAGE
27/12/2009 BEAVER L'étape à Beaver, j'imagine que c'est pour voir Bryce Canyon? Encore une fois, privéligie plus près du Parc, Tropic par exemple, tu as des motels pas si chers que ça! // Ok j'ai vu pour Tropic, c'est vrai c'est beaucoup mieux en fait
28/12/2009 BEAVER
29/12/2009 SALINA là je ne comprends pas à quoi sert cette étape tu veux voir quoi // Ok j'ai vu pour 3 jours à Moab également
30/12/2009 MOAB prévois une journée de plus sur moab, pour voir cette magnifique région: Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point and co! Le problème avec ton circuit c'est que tu ne passes pas par la scenic byway 12? Qui mérite elle aussi une étape.
31/12/2009 MOAB
01/01/2010 LEHI autant loger à Salt Lake, c'est une grande ville, je pense que tu peux trouver pas cher
02/01/2010 IDAHO FALLS
03/01/2010 GARDINER
04/01/2010 GARDINER pour faire Yellowstone? Attention à l'époque ou tu y vas il y aura beaucoup de routes fermées//Est-ce que la route qui va de West Yellowstone à Gardiner est fermée en hiver???
05/01/2010 SHERIDAN
06/01/2010 RAPID CITY Mont Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park...
07/01/2010 RAPID CITY
08/01/2010 WHEATLAND Encore une étape trés trés bof je pene, tu peux pousser jusqu'à Cheyenne //Nous trouvions que Cheyenne faisait beaucoup trop loin avec mes 3 petits! Là, c'est vraiment une ville étape.
09/01/2010 WINDSOR pareil, autant loger à Denver, des motels pas chers il doit y en avoir //ROCKY MOUNTAIN10/01/2010 WINDSOR
11/01/2010 CASTLE ROCK Je ne vois pas trop l'intérêt de loger au Nord de Denver le 10 puis au Sud de Denver le 11... Pour voir quoi?
12/01/2010 CASTLE ROCK //Pike National forest, Castlewood canyon state park (un petit parc à taille "humaine", nous voulions voir à quoi cela resemble, surtout en hiver héhé 🙂)
13/01/2010 LAS VEGAS A la limite je peux comprendre que les logements à Santa Fe soient chers mais si tu cherches bien... regarde Tripadvisor
14/01/2010 GRANTS Encore une étape, je sais pas à quoi elle sert (désolé d'être aussi critique...) //CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST, El Mal PAIS NATIONAL MONUMENT
15/01/2010 GRANTS En plus tu y restes 2 jours, tu as prévu de voir quoi?
16/01/2010 WILLIAMS //Grand Canyon
17/01/2010 WILLIAMS
18/01/2010 COTTONWOOD
19/01/2010 PHOENIX
20/01/2010 YUMA
21/01/2010 LOS ANGELES
22/01/2010 LOS ANGELES
23/01/2010 DEPART
A toi de voir maintenant, perso ce n'est pas un voyage que je ferais. A cette époque je me limiterais à la Californie, Nevada, Sud Utah, Arizona et Nouveau Mexique... Je laisserais tomber Yellowstone et l'état du Colorado pour cette fois ci.
Tu ne pourras qu'apprécier mieux ton voyage en faisant moins de kms et en profitant des sites que tu visites.
Est-ce que la route qui va de West Yellowstone à Gardiner est fermée en hiver???
Bonjour,
Si tu vas sur le site de Yellowstone NP :
Winter:
« The only park road that remains open to wheeled-vehicle use year-round is the road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, to the Northeast Entrance at Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana. Snow tires and/or chains may be required. The road is open 24 hours per day (winter storms may close the road temporarily)».
Ok merci pour vos précisions, c'est vrai que cela à l'air d'être compliqué Yellowstone en Hiver, et si nous nous aventurons à faire gardiner/cooke city, ok avec des chaînes, mais il faudrait que ce soit garantit 0% de risques,
Mais est-ce que le parc est tout de même visité sur les autres routes? N'y a t-il pas des scooters des neiges au départ de Gardiner, si oui, à quel prix? cher j'imagine,
Si cela est possible avec un guide, alors cela doit être réellement exceptionnel, et là cela vaudrait le coup de mettre un tout petit peu d'argent...
Savez-vous si à partir de gardiner il est possible de louer des motos neige? Combien font-elles de places au maximum?
Y a t-il un moyen de locomotion qui puisse transporter 5 passagers? (en dehors des voitures bien évidemment)
Sites personnels des membres › États-Unis · 1 reply
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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!
