Is train travel included?

Yes for the rail portions: the California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction, the Grand Canyon Railway roundtrip, and the Southwest Chief from Williams to Los Angeles. The Grand Junction-to-Moab and Springdale-to-Williams legs use a rental car instead.

Which trains are used?

The California Zephyr, the Grand Canyon Railway, and the Southwest Chief.

Is it guided or independent?

Amtrak Vacations includes a guided sightseeing tour at each national park stop, Rocky Mountain, Arches and Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon, Zion and Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon, plus a hop-on, hop-off tour in Los Angeles.

11 nights of hotel accommodations, the rail and rental car transportation described above, guided tours at each national park stop, and 2 meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner).

How much walking is involved?

The trip is built around guided sightseeing tours rather than hikes, though the description notes the route ranges from over 12,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains to near sea level in Los Angeles.

Amtrak Vacations

Grand Mountain Peaks and The Grandest Canyons

Rail and road trip from Denver to LA through seven national parks

Amtrak Vacations operates Grand Mountain Peaks and The Grandest Canyons as a 13-day, 12-night rail and road journey from Denver to Los Angeles. The route rides the California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs and on to Grand Junction, then switches to a rental car for stops in Moab, Springdale, and Williams, Arizona, before rejoining the rails on the Grand Canyon Railway and the Southwest Chief into Los Angeles. Along the way, guided tours cover Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches and Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon's South Rim, with a hop-on, hop-off tour in Los Angeles at the end. The description notes the route spans elevations from over 12,000 feet down to near sea level. Because a guided tour is included at nearly every stop, and because the middle portion of the trip switches from train to rental car, this suits travelers who want a wide tour of Rocky Mountain and Southwest national parks with the sightseeing built in, rather than a continuous rail-only journey.

What to know before you look closer

The Rocky Mountain National Park tour on day 2 is seasonal; Amtrak Vacations offers a combination city and mountain parks tour in the off season instead.
Part of the route, from Grand Junction to Moab and from Springdale to Williams, is by rental car rather than train, even though the trip is billed as a rail journey.
Only 2 meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner) are included across the 12 nights; other meals are on your own.
The hotel list is 30 accommodation options across the different cities and price tiers, not a fixed sequence of stays; your actual hotel depends on the tier and city you choose.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Denver
Your Journey Begins in Denver
Welcome to Denver, also known as the "Mile High City." After you check into your hotel, you'll have lots of free time to start exploring, like Red Rocks Park, the Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo and more.
Day 2overnight: Denver
Rocky Mountain National Park
Experience the majestic splendor of the Rocky Mountains on an exhilarating day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Day 3overnight: Glenwood Springs
Denver to Glenwood Springs
Travel to the Amtrak station and board the California Zephyr to Glenwood Springs. Use your included admission to Iron Mountain Hot Springs and take a relaxing soak in one of the healing mineral pools.
Day 4overnight: Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs
Visit Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park today for a Tram and Cave Tour Pass, enjoying a ride on the Iron Mountain Tramway and two guided cave tours.
Day 5railovernight: Moab
Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction
Board the train this afternoon for the short ride to Grand Junction. Pick up your included car rental and head down to Moab for a two-night stay.
Day 6overnight: Moab
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Enjoy your tour to Arches & Canyonlands National Parks! Highlights include the Colorado River, multiple iconic arches, rock pinnacles, and spires.
Day 7overnight: Springdale
Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks
Continue your adventure from Moab en route to Capitol Reef, then Bryce Canyon, known for hoodoos, bristlecone pine trees, and views from Sunrise, Sunset, and Inspiration Point.
Day 8overnight: Springdale
Zion National Park and Lake Powell
Spend the day exploring Zion National Park, featuring 200 miles of picturesque trails, stunning vistas, vermillion cliffs, canyons.
Day 9railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Depart Springdale and make your way to Flagstaff, stopping at Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam along the way. Drop off your rental car and be brought to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams.
Day 10railovernight: Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
After breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, board the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim. During your Grand Canyon Freedom Rim Tour, discover the South Rim.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the Grand Canyon Railway from the South Rim back to Williams. Celebrate with an included dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then board the train to Los Angeles.
Meals: Dinner
Day 12overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to visit iconic landmarks such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, Universal Studios, and the Hollywood Sign.
Day 13
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2A guided day tour covers Rocky Mountain National Park, reachable from Denver.
Day 6The tour to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks passes the Colorado River, multiple stone arches, and rock spires.
Day 8Zion National Park's tour covers its trails, cliffs, and canyons, alongside a stop at Lake Powell.
Day 10After breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, the Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers from Williams to the South Rim for the Grand Canyon Freedom Rim Tour.

Included

One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Denver to Glenwood Springs; and Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction on the California Zephyr; and Williams to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief®
Roundtrip service in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway
Transfers from Grand Junction to Springdale; and Springdale to Williams
11 nights' hotel accommodations
2 meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes for the rail portions: the California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction, the Grand Canyon Railway roundtrip, and the Southwest Chief from Williams to Los Angeles. The Grand Junction-to-Moab and Springdale-to-Williams legs use a rental car instead.
Which trains are used?: The California Zephyr, the Grand Canyon Railway, and the Southwest Chief.
Is it guided or independent?: Amtrak Vacations includes a guided sightseeing tour at each national park stop, Rocky Mountain, Arches and Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon, Zion and Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon, plus a hop-on, hop-off tour in Los Angeles.
What is included?: 11 nights of hotel accommodations, the rail and rental car transportation described above, guided tours at each national park stop, and 2 meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner).
How much does this trip cost?: From $3,169 per person.
How much walking is involved?: The trip is built around guided sightseeing tours rather than hikes, though the description notes the route ranges from over 12,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains to near sea level in Los Angeles.