Nous avons fait un circuit "type" il y a 4 ans (San Francisco - Yosemite - Death Valley - Las Vegas - Zion - Bryce - Page - Moab - Monument Valley - Mesa Verde - Grand Canyon - Palm Springs - L.A. et route n°1 pour revenir à SF). Et bien sûr on a chopé le virus USA ...
Malgré le mois passé sur place, on manquait de temps pour inclure Yellowstone qui mérite 1 semaine à lui seul (et pas envie de tout faire au pas de course non plus).
Les 2 années suivantes, on a fait des circuits dans l'est + Canada, c'est différent, on a aimé aussi ... mais l'appel de l'ouest se refait sentir.
Voilà donc la question : comment inclure Yellowstone dans un trip avec un itinéraire différent ?
J'avais pensé à une arrivée à Salt Lake City pour visiter Yellowstone puis redescendre vers San Diego p.ex., mais même si on apprécierait revoir certains endroits (Monument Valley ou Moab où l'on n'a visité que Arches e.a.), on a peur que ce soit "trop tôt" et d'être déçus. Il y a aussi le drop off pour la voiture de location (300 $ a priori).
Cet été j'ai fais un road trip au départ de Salt lake city direction Grand teton puis Yellowstone ou nous y avons passés 4 jours avant de redescendre sur Grand Teton puis Moab, Canyonland, Page, Sedona, Havasupai, Joshua tree, Los angeles, puis la côte jusqu'à SF. Par contre c'est vrai que nous avons eu 300$ de frais d'abandon du véhicule. Si vous voulez voir le détail http://www.uncouplenvadrouille.com/#!itineraire-usa-2013/c1r8w
Il y a plusieurs itinéraire possible en incluant Yellowstone tout dépend du temps dont vous disposez. Pour nous 4 jours a Yellowstone ça a été bien on a pu faire tous les "classiques" sans courir, après si vous voulez approfondir c'est sûr qu'on peut y passer 1 semaine ou même 1 mois sans problème !
Je rejoins les avis précédents, il y a plein de combinaisons possibles. Mais déjà avec Yellowstone, on peut combiner bien sûr le Grand Teton, JacksonHole mais aussi le South Dakota (mont Rushmore, Custer State Park, Badlands, Deadwood ...), Flaming Gorge, Dinosaur National Monument et pourquoi plein d'autres sites compris entre Moab et Bryce.
Pour la première partie j'en parle là: http://jeveuxcamperauxusa.blogspot.fr/2011/07/de-chicago-moab.html
et pour les parcs comme Goblin Valley, Road Canyon, Mule Canyon, Capitol Reef , Willis Creek, Escalante ... j'en parle là :
http://jeveuxcamperauxusa2.blogspot.fr/ et sur cette dernière partie, il y a vraiment des petites merveilles à découvrir ...
Hi
Des iti avec le Yellowstone, il en existe des dizaines... le tout est de savoir de combien de jours vs disposez et ce que vs voulez visiter en plus
Un exemple (pas de frais de dropp off puisque A-R depuis Denver):
J1 : arrivée Denver , nuit à Boulder
J2 : Rocky Mountain NP (Trail Ridge Road), nuit à Glenwoods Springs (grande piscine)
J3 : Route vers Moab (Colorado NM, Fisher Towers), , nuit à Moab
J4 : Dead Horse Point SP, Canyonlands Island in the sky , nuit à Moab
J5 : Arches NP , nuit à Moab
J6 : Canyonlands The Needles , nuit à Monument valley
J7 : Monument Valley , Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck, route vers Page, Nuit Page
J8 : Antelope Canyon, Horseshoes Bend, Lac Powell , Nuit Page
J9 : Lee's Ferry, rando Cathedral Wash , Grand Canyon rive nord
J10 : Zion NP , Nuit Springdale
J11 : Bryce Canyon, nuit à Bryce Canyon
J12 : Bryce- Capitol Reef
J13 : Capitol Reef - SLC
J14 : SLC - Grand Teton
J15 : Grand Teton
J16 : Grand Teton - Yellowstone
J17 : Yellowstone
J18 : Yellowstone
J19 : Yellowstone
J20 : Yellowstone – Flaming Gorge (à voir au sunset !), Nuit à Vernal
J21 : Dinosaur NP
J22 : Dinosaur - Denver
J23 : Départ Denver
ou avec le South Dakota:
J1: arrivée Denver - Nuit Denver
J2: Denver - Cheyenne - Nuit Cheyenne
J3: Cheyenne - Nuit Cheyenne
J4: Cheyenne - Custer SP - Mount Rushmore - Nuit Keystone
J5: Keystone - Badlands - Nuit Wall
J6: Wall - Deadwood - Devil's Tower - Nuit Hulett
J7: Hulett - Bighorn Canyon - Cody - Nuit Cody
J8: Cody (si vous avez prévu visite du musée et rodéo) - Nuit Cody
J9: Cody - Yellowstone
J10, 11 et 12: Yellowstone
J13: Yellowstone - Grand Teton - Nuit Colter Bay Village ou Jackson Hole
J14: Grand Teton - Flaming Gorge
J15: Flaming Gorge - Dinosaur (côté Utah) - Nuit Vernal
J16: Dinosaur - Colorado NM - Nuit Fruita
J17: Fruita - Ut 128 - Fisher Towers - Moab
J18: Moab - Arches - Nuit Moab
J19: Moab - Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point - Nuit Moab
J20: Moab - Denver - Nuit Denver (rajouter 1 ou 2 jours pour profiter du Rocky Montain NP)
J21: départ de Denver
ou
J1: arrivée Denver
J2: Denver - Route 128 - Fisher Towers - Moab
J3: Moab: Arches
J4: Moab: Canyonlands et Dead Horse Point
J5: Moab - Goblin Valley - Capitol Reef - Nuit Torrey
J6: Torrey - Route 12 - Escalante (ou Bryce Canyon)
J7: Escalante ou Bryce Canyon - Zion - Nuit Springdale
J8: Zion
J9: Zion - Cedar Breaks National Monument - Nuit Cedar City
J10: Cedar City - Salt Lake City
J11: SLC - Antelope Island SP - Jackson
J12: Jackson - Grand Teton - Nuit Colter Bay
J13: Colter Bay - Yellowstone
J14: Yellowstone
J15: Yellowstone
J16: Yellowstone
J17: Yellowstone - Cody
J18: Cody - Bighorn Canyon - Nuit Sheridan
J19: Sheridan – Devil’s Tower - Deadwood - Nuit à Rapid City
J20: Rapid City – Badlands NP – Wall – Rapid City
J21: Rapid City – Mont Rushmore – Custer SP – Jewel Cave – Hot Springs
J22: Hot Springs – Fort Laramie – Cheyenne (Frontier Days ?–ds ce cas-là, rajouter 1 jour à Cheyenne)
J23: Cheyenne - Estes Park - Nuit Estes Park
J24: Rocky Mountain NP - Nuit Estes Park ou Grand Lake
J25: Rocky Mountain - Denver - Nuit Denver
J26: Retour depuis Denver
ou hors des sentiers battus:
J 1: arrivée Salt Lake, nuit dans la ville
J2: visite rapide de la ville + Shoshone Falls (360 km), nuit à Twin Falls ou ?
J3: Craters of the Moon, route vers Yellowstone, nuit à West Yellowstone ou à Old Faithful
J4: Yellowstone, nuit à West Yellowstone ou à Old Faithful
J5: Yellowstone, nuit à Canyon Village
J6: Yellowstone, nuit à Canyon Village
J7: Yellowstone , + route vers Grand Teton , nuit au Signal Mountain Lodge
J8: Grand Teton, nuit à Jakson
J9: Rte vers Vernal, Flaming Gorge, visite du DinosaurNM(côté Utah)?, nuit à Vernal
J10: visite du Dinosaur NM (côté Colorado), nuit à Vernal
J11: Route vers Torrey (arrêt à Buckhorn Draw Area, au Wedge Overlook, et Rochester Rock Art Panel), nuit Torrey
J12: Piste Cathedral Valley, nuit Torrey
J13: Piste Notom + Burr Tral, nuit Escalante
J14: Piste Hole In The Rock , nuit Escalante
J15: Piste Cottonwood Canyon road avec ce qu'il y a autour, nuit à Big Water ou Kanab
J16: Piste House Rock Valley avec Edmaiers Secret + Wire Pass/Buckskin Gulch, nuit à Zion
J17: Zion les Narrows, nuit vers St Georges
J18: Cedar Breaks ou autre dans le coin, ou Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, nuit Las Vegas
J19: Las Vegas
J20 : Départ de Las Vegas
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Pour répondre à PapJ59, on prévoit généralement 4 semaines environ.
Merci à tous pour vos idées. L'iti avec le South Dakota a l'air pas mal et inédit pour nous, je vais le "googlemapiser" pour voir ce que ça fait niveau des miles ...
Les autres aussi, en rêver et préparer, c'est presque aussi bien que d'y être 😛
Pour répondre à PapJ59, on prévoit généralement 4 semaines environ.
Bonjour,
En 4 semaines, on peut visiter Yellowstone, les parcs de Dakota du Sud, et les parcs du nord-ouest (Olympic, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Crater Lake).
Ouf... avec autant de jours, tt est possible😉
Vs pouvez partir des itinéraires donnés ci-dessus et les compléter l'un avec l'autre , mais vs pouvez aussi envisager le Nouveau-Mexique:
J1 : Arrivée à Denver
J2 : Denver (Garden of the Gods) – Air Force Academy- Rte vers Great Sand Dunes
J3 : Great Sand Dunes(2H)– Rte Alamosa – Rio Grande Bridge – Taos Pueblo – Taos – Santa Fe
J4 : Santa Fe (visite le matin) – Tent Rocks – Albuquerque
J5 : Albuquerque – Chaco – nuit à Farmington
J6 : Farmington – Route vers Chinle (Canyon de Chelly)
J7 : Suite visite du Canyon de Chelly – Monument Valley ou route directement vers Page (avec arrêt éventuel aux ruines indiennes du Navajo NM)
J8 : Monument Valley – Page (Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend)
J9 : Page – Piste Cottonwood Canyon Road – Bryce Canyon
J10 : Bryce Canyon
J11 : Bryce Canyon – Salt Lake City (Antelope Island )
J12: Salt Lake City - Yellowstone
J13 : Yellowstone
J14 : Yellowstone
J15 : Yellowstone
J16 : Yellowstone – Grand Teton
J17 : Grand Teton – Flaming Gorge (ou Vernal)
J18 : Flaming Gorge (ou Vernal) – Dinosaur NM (côté Est)* - Moab
J19 : Moab (Canyonlands + Dead Horse Point)
J20 : Moab (Arches)
J21 : Moab – Cortez
J22 : Cortez – Mesa Verde
J23 : Mesa Verde – Monument Valley
J24 : Monument Valley – Grand Canyon South Rim
J25 : Grand Canyon South Rim – Las Vegas
J26 : Las Vegas
J27 : vol retour
* Dinosaur NM: 1 jour de plus si vs visitez le côté Ouest (côté ouest , il y a une piste menant à des points vues splendides... mais il faut un SUV) + piste Island Park Rd menant aux Mc Kee Spring Petroglyphs et point de vue + Fantasy Canyon
ou
J1 : Arrivée à Denver
J2 : Denver (Garden of the Gods) – Air Force Academy- Rte vers Great Sand Dunes
J3 : Great Sand Dunes(2H)– Rte Alamosa – Rio Grande Bridge – Taos Pueblo – Taos – Santa Fe
J4 : Santa Fe – Tent Rocks – Albuquerque
J5 : Piste > Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah / Bisti Wilderness – nuit à Farmington
J6 : Farmington – Route vers Chinle (Canyon de Chelly)
J7 : Suite Canyon de Chelly – Route vers Monument Valley ou directement vers Page (avec arrêt au Navajo NM)
J8 : Page (piste >CBN ou CBS ou…)
J9 : Page
J10 : Page – Piste Cottonwood Canyon Road – Bryce Canyon
J11 : Bryce Canyon
J12 : Bryce Canyon - Torrey (Capitol Reef)
J13: Torrey - Flaming Gorge
J14: Flaming Gorge – Jackson Hole
J15 : Jackson Hole (Grand Teton) – Route vers le Yellowstone (Old Faithful)
J16 : Yellowstone
J17 : Yellowstone
J18 : Yellowstone
J19 : Yellowstone – Route vers Cody (visite)
J20: Cody - Bighorn Canyon - Nuit Sheridan
J21: Sheridan – Devil’s Tower - Deadwood - Nuit à Rapid City
J22: Rapid City – Badlands NP – Wall – Rapid City
J23: Rapid City – Mont Rushmore – Custer SP – Jewel Cave – Hot Springs
J24: Hot Springs – Fort Laramie – Cheyenne (Frontier Days ?–ds ce cas-là, rajouter 1 jour à Cheyenne)
J25: Cheyenne - Estes Park - Nuit Estes Park
J26: Rocky Mountain NP - Nuit Estes Park ou Grand Lake
J27: Rocky Mountain - Denver - Nuit Denver
J28: Retour depuis Denver
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Je te propose l'itinéraire que nous avons fait cet été sur 17 jours, dans le wyoming et le Montana, arrivée à Jackson Hole, départ même aéroport, avec Yellowstone et Glacier national park, dépaysement garanti, avec une intrusion chez les Blackfeet http://voyageforum.com/discussion/retour-17-jours-wyoming-montana-d6094402/
Beau circuit (et super carnet, l'avais loupé celui-là 😛).
L'idée d'une arrivée à Jackson Hole est excellente, par contre la différence de prix l'est moins (plus de 500 € + cher par personne par rapport à Las Vegas ou Denver p.ex. ...)
On va analyser tout ça ...
J'avance pas à pas notre programme mais le temps nous étant compté pour réserver rapidement, vos conseils seront toujours précieux. 1: En arrivant de Teton,…
Nous avons nos billets pour Denver pour août 2020. La priorité est de faire cette année Yellowstone. Nous démarrerons donc notre circuit en allant vers…
Nous nous sommes décidés, cet été nous avons décidé de retourner aux USA, notre dernier voyage dans l'Ouest Américain datant de 2017. A l'époque j'avais…
Depuis plusieurs mois, je regarde en sous-marin les discussions et j’ai parcouru de nombreux carnets de voyage pour peaufiner notre parcours (merci d'ailleurs…
Nous sommes une famille avec deux adolescents (15 et 17) et nous préparons un voyage de 14 jours Denver - Yellowstone - Denver pour août 2020. Nous avons déjà…
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.
Merci de me conseiller pour la réservation pour la plus belle vue faut il réserver une chambre dans l'hôtel ou choisir une cabane ?
Prendre le petit déjeuner ou pas ?
Que pensez vous du 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?
