Amtrak Vacations
America's National Parks with Canyon Spirit
Denver to Salt Lake City parks trip on the Canyon Spirit train
11 daysfrom $5,169
27% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Americas National Parks Roundtrip from Chicago
Chicago roundtrip rail trip to Rocky Mountain, Arches, Canyonlands and Yellowstone parks
Amtrak Vacations packages this 11-day, 10-night independent roundtrip from Chicago around four national parks: Rocky Mountain, Arches, Canyonlands and Yellowstone. Day 1 begins with an overnight ride on the California Zephyr from Chicago to Denver, with meals and amenities included onboard. After two nights in Denver, including a full-day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Zephyr continues west through the Rockies and the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas to Grand Junction, with a transfer on to Moab for a full-day tour of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The Zephyr then carries travelers on to Salt Lake City, where an included shuttle covers the road trip to West Yellowstone for a full-day tour of the park's geothermal features, including Old Faithful, before the return journey retraces the route back to Chicago overnight. The trip suits independent travelers who want a mix of guided national park touring, free time in each city, and an overnight train experience on both legs of the journey.
What to know before you look closer
- Accommodation is chosen from about 29 hotel options across Chicago, Denver, Moab and Salt Lake City, spanning the Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, so the actual comfort level depends heavily on what is selected at booking.
- Meals are mentioned as included only on the two overnight train legs (Chicago to Denver and Salt Lake City to Chicago); the Yellowstone day specifically notes that lunch at Old Faithful Village is on your own, and no other meals are called out as included.
- Despite the rail vacation billing, the Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone legs on days 7 and 9 are covered by an included shuttle, not a train.
- The Yellowstone touring described is the park's lower loop, which the evidence notes is 'open seasonally,' and no current departure dates are listed; confirm timing and availability with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Chicago to Denver
Depart this morning from Chicago on Amtrak's California Zephyr for a scenic and relaxing journey to Denver. Enjoy comfortable overnight accommodations onboard the train, including meals and amenities. Your national park journey has just begun!
- Day 2overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Welcome to Denver! Enjoy the views of the fabulous Rocky Mountains as you make your way to your hotel. After you settle in, take some time to explore the downtown area of the Mile-High City, where you'll find lots of museums, art galleries, craft beer bars, and so much more! The Denver Art Museum, located right in downtown Denver, has one of the largest Native American art collections in the world.
- Day 3overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Experience the majestic splendor of the Rockies on an exhilarating full-day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park. This gorgeous site, often celebrated for its abundance of animals and spectacular views of the Rockies, is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world, so don't forget your camera! On your return journey, you'll get a chance to enjoy several photo opportunities and a break for refreshments.
- Day 4railovernight: Moab
Denver to Moab
Travel to the Amtrak station and board the California Zephyr to Grand Junction for one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. As you climb through the heart of the Rockies and further west through the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, you may find it hard to disagree. After your arrival, your transfer will take you to your hotel in Moab.
- Day 5overnight: Moab
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Today you'll have a full-day tour of two spectacular national parks: Arches and Canyonlands. Arches National Park is a geological treasure featuring 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world famous Delicate Arch. The park's rich colors, textures, and landforms highlight the extraordinary balanced rocks, fins, and pinnacles. Canyonlands National Park offers a stunning landscape filled with countless canyons, mesas, and buttes, carved by the mighty Green and Colorado rivers. Experience the park from the astounding Island in the Sky, a scenic drive that follows the rim of the mesa and offers amazing views.
- Day 6railovernight: Salt Lake City
Moab to Salt Lake City
Travel to the Amtrak station and board the train to Salt Lake City. Take in the unparalleled views of Utah's gorgeous Wasatch Mountains as you head west on the California Zephyr.
- Day 7overnight: West Yellowstone
Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone
Today your included roundtrip shuttle service will to take you to West Yellowstone. Widely held to be the first national park in the world, Yellowstone National Park is home to the most impressive geothermal areas in all of North America.
- Day 8overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a full-day tour of the lower loop of West Yellowstone, open seasonally. Highlights of this fascinating tour include Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, Isa Lake on the Continental Divide, and many more amazing sites. You'll have some leisure time to enjoy lunch on your own at the Old Faithful Village and do some exploring of the area if you desire.
- Day 9overnight: Salt Lake City
West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City
Today, take a leisurely drive back to Salt Lake City aboard the included shuttle. Spend the evening at your own pace enjoying all that the city has to offer. Venture out to Olympic Park or explore the vibrant and growing restaurant scene downtown.
- Day 10railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Salt Lake City to Chicago
Board the train this morning for your overnight return journey to Chicago.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The trip opens with an overnight ride on the California Zephyr from Chicago to Denver, with meals and amenities included onboard.
- Day 3A full-day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park includes photo opportunities and a refreshment break on the return trip.
- Day 4The California Zephyr climbs through the Rockies and the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas on the way from Denver to Grand Junction, ahead of a transfer to Moab.
- Day 5A full-day tour visits Arches National Park's 2,000 sandstone formations, including Delicate Arch, and Canyonlands National Park.
- Day 8The Yellowstone tour covers the park's lower loop, including Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, and Isa Lake on the Continental Divide.
Included
- Roundtrip transfers between Grand Junction and Moab
- Roundtrip transfers between Salt Lake City and West Yellowstone
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Denver; Denver to Grand Junction; Grand Junction to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to Chicago onboard the California Zephyr®
- 8 nights' hotel accommodations
- 2 nights onboard Amtrak
Questions travellers ask
- Is the whole roundtrip by train?
- Most of it. The California Zephyr covers Chicago to Denver, Denver to Grand Junction, Grand Junction to Salt Lake City, and the return to Chicago, all in Coach class, but the Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone legs are covered by an included shuttle, not a train.
- Are there overnight train rides?
- Yes, two: Chicago to Denver on day 1 and Salt Lake City back to Chicago on day 10, both described as including meals and amenities onboard.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation with full-day guided tours included at Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches and Canyonlands, and Yellowstone National Park.
- Are meals included?
- Meals are mentioned as included on the two overnight train legs. Other meals, including lunch at Old Faithful Village in Yellowstone, are on your own.
- What hotels are used?
- About 29 accommodation options across Chicago, Denver, Moab and Salt Lake City, ranging from the Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago; the exact hotel depends on what is selected at booking.
