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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

America's Treasures & Natural Wonders

Twelve-day escorted tour from Chicago to Flagstaff through six national parks

Illustration of America's Treasures & Natural Wonders

Vacations By Rail operates this 12-day escorted journey across America's West, beginning with an overnight aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder from Chicago to Whitefish, Montana. A professional tour manager leads the group through guided visits to six national parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon. The pace balances days in hotels with time spent traveling by deluxe motorcoach and train. Day 3 features a ride aboard a vintage 1930s Red Jammer bus across Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road; Day 5 includes a full-day Yellowstone tour with a certified guide; Day 10 offers an open-air tram through Zion and a dinner cruise on Lake Powell. Days 7 and portions of other stops allow free time to explore parks or pursue optional activities like float trips or biking. Fourteen meals, park entrance fees, and most lodging are included. This tour suits those who prefer guided group travel with substantial walking and activity at each park.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; group transfers from Flagstaff or Phoenix airports are available but must be arranged separately
  • Activity level is rated 3 by the operator; this tour involves substantial walking at park vantage points and may not suit those with limited mobility
  • On Day 10, select departures offer dinner in the Rainbow Room instead of the Lake Powell dinner cruise

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Train

    Depart Chicago aboard the Empire Builder

    Board the Empire Builder at Chicago Union Station for an overnight rail journey. Travelers may instead travel from Seattle or points in-between and meet the tour manager in Whitefish.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Whitefish, MT

    En Route to Whitefish

    Admire the Northern Prairies from the train's Sightseer Lounge, arriving in Whitefish this evening and transferring by motorcoach to the hotel.

  3. Day 3overnight: Whitefish, MT

    Glacier National Park & Going-to-the-Sun Road

    A half-day tour of the Going-to-the-Sun Road aboard a 1930s-era Red Jammer bus, followed by dinner with the Tour Manager and fellow travelers.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: West Yellowstone, MT

    Scenic Drive to West Yellowstone

    A full day driving through the Northern Great Plains south to West Yellowstone, MT, with the remainder of the day at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: West Yellowstone, MT

    Yellowstone National Park & Old Faithful

    A full-day tour with a certified guide through Hayden Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the Fountain Paint Pot and Old Faithful.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Jackson, WY

    Grand Teton National Park

    A drive into Wyoming to Grand Teton National Park, visiting the Chapel of Transfiguration, then continuing to Jackson, gateway to the park.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Jackson, WY

    Jackson at Leisure

    A free day to explore Jackson or Grand Teton National Park, with optional activities including a Snake River float trip, biking or fishing.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8railovernight: Salt Lake City, UT

    National Oregon/California Trail Center

    Travel by deluxe motorcoach to Salt Lake City, stopping at the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, ID, for a simulated wagon train ride.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Bryce Canyon City, UT

    Bryce Canyon National Park Touring

    Tour Bryce Canyon National Park's hoodoos and vantage points such as Sunset Point, with dinner at Ebenezer's Dinner Show.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Page, AZ

    Experience Zion National Park

    An open-air tram tour of Zion National Park, including the Great White Throne and Temple of Sinawava, then travel to Page, AZ, for a 2-hour dinner cruise on Lake Powell aboard the Canyon Princess (select departures instead dine in the Rainbow Room at Lake Powell Resort).

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Flagstaff, AZ

    Grand Canyon National Park

    Visit the Grand Canyon, including Mather Point, with free time to explore, before traveling to Flagstaff for a farewell dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  12. Day 12

    Tour Conclusion

    Your journey concludes this morning; a group transfer to Flagstaff Airport is available for flights after 10:00 a.m., and Phoenix Airport for flights after 1:00 p.m.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Chicago Union Station for an overnight journey westward
  • Day 3Cross the Continental Divide aboard a 1930s-era Red Jammer bus on Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road
  • Day 5Full-day Yellowstone tour with certified guide includes Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs
  • Day 10Open-air tram tour through Zion National Park followed by dinner cruise on Lake Powell aboard the Canyon Princess

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 10 nights
  • Rail travel on Amtrak (1 night on train)
  • Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
  • Meals on train included when upgrading to private sleeping accommodations
  • 14 meals
  • Baggage handling
  • National Park Entrance Fees
  • Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks touring
  • Lake Powell Cruise
  • National Oregon/California Trail Center visit

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. One night on Amtrak's Empire Builder from Chicago to Whitefish is included. Meals on the train are included only if you upgrade to private sleeping accommodations (Roomette or Bedroom); standard Coach passengers do not receive on-train meals.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an escorted tour. Vacations By Rail provides a professional tour manager who leads the group throughout, and most park visits and attractions are guided.
Which national parks are included?
The tour includes guided visits to Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks. National park entrance fees are included.
What meals are provided?
Fourteen meals are included: mostly breakfasts, plus dinners on Days 3, 9, and 10, and a farewell dinner on Day 11. Most lunches are not included.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The operator rates this as Mobility Rating 3. The itinerary includes full-day park tours, open-air tram rides, and walking at scenic vantage points. This is not a low-activity tour.
Can I join from a city other than Chicago?
Yes. Vacations By Rail notes travelers may board the Empire Builder from Seattle or points along its route and meet the tour manager in Whitefish on Day 2. Connecting rail to your nearest Amtrak station is available as an optional extra.

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