Is train travel included in this trip?

Yes. The package includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel on the California Zephyr for the legs Denver to Grand Junction, Grand Junction to Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake City to San Francisco, including one overnight train.

Is this an escorted tour or an independent trip?

It is a mix. Amtrak Vacations includes small-group guided tours of Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone and Yosemite, while Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion are free, self-drive days, and the rail travel between stops is independent.

Which train does the trip use?

The California Zephyr, in Coach class, for the segments between Denver, Grand Junction, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.

What hotels are included?

11 nights of hotel accommodations are included, chosen from 30 accommodation options across the trip's cities and price tiers rather than one fixed hotel list.

How much walking is involved?

The itinerary describes full-day park tours, city sightseeing, and a day of 'picturesque trails' at Zion, but does not describe any strenuous hikes.

Amtrak Vacations

Grand National Parks Discovery on the California Zephyr

13-day rail tour of 8 national parks on the California Zephyr

Amtrak Vacations operates this 13-day, 12-night rail vacation from Denver, Colorado, to San Francisco and Yosemite, California, with stops across Utah and a visit to Yellowstone National Park along the way. The trip mixes small-group guided tours with independent stretches. Day 2 brings a full day in Rocky Mountain National Park with a picnic lunch and wildlife viewing, then day 3 adds a rail leg aboard the California Zephyr to Grand Junction, where travelers pick up a rental car for free, self-drive days at Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion National Parks. Later days bring a guided tour of Yellowstone, an overnight train from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, and a day trip out to Yosemite. Travelers who like the structure of an escorted park tour combined with the freedom to explore some days on their own, and who do not mind switching between train and rental car, will find this itinerary suits that pattern.

What to know before you look closer

This package lists 30 accommodation options across cities and price tiers rather than one fixed hotel per stop, so which hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion are free, self-drive days without a guide; only Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Yosemite have a guided tour included.
The itinerary does not list specific current departure dates, so confirm the trip is running before booking.
Getting between the Utah parks and back to the train, including the drive from Springdale to Grand Junction before day 7's train, is done by rental car, so a meaningful part of the trip is spent driving rather than riding the train.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Denver
Your Journey Begins in Denver
Welcome to Denver, AKA the "Mile High City." After you check into your hotel, you'll have lots of free time to explore, like Red Rocks Park, the Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo and more.
Day 2overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Enjoy a full day small-group sightseeing tour of Rocky Mountain National Park, with an included picnic lunch, wildlife viewing, the continental divide, and the Stanley Hotel.
Day 3railovernight: Moab
Moab, UT
Board the iconic California Zephyr train from Denver to Grand Junction. Pick up your included car rental and head to Moab for a two-night stay.
Day 4overnight: Moab
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Full-day tour of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, including the Colorado River, iconic arches, rock pinnacles, spires, and Island in the Sky.
Day 5overnight: Springdale
Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks
Drive along Scenic Byway UT-12 through Capitol Reef's Waterpocket Fold and Bryce Canyon's largest collection of rock hoodoos.
Day 6overnight: Springdale
Zion National Park
Journey through Zion National Park's picturesque trails, stunning vistas, vermillion cliffs, canyons, jagged skyline, and interesting flora and fauna.
Day 7railovernight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Drive back to Grand Junction then head to the Amtrak station and board your train to Salt Lake City, the "Crossroads of the West."
Day 8overnight: West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone
Included transfer service takes you to West Yellowstone, home to the most impressive geothermal features in North America.
Day 9overnight: West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone
Guided tour through Yellowstone including Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake.
Day 10railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Included transfer from West Yellowstone back to Salt Lake City, then board your overnight train to San Francisco.
Day 11overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Visit iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, or take a ferry to Alcatraz or a Bay cruise.
Day 12overnight: San Francisco
Yosemite National Park, CA
Ride out to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco to see El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Inspiration Point, Half Dome, and Yosemite Village.
Day 13
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2A full-day small-group tour visits Rocky Mountain National Park, with a picnic lunch, wildlife viewing, and stops at the Continental Divide and the Stanley Hotel.
Day 3Travelers board the California Zephyr from Denver to Grand Junction, then pick up a rental car for the drive to Moab.
Day 4A full-day tour covers Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, including the Colorado River, rock arches, spires and Island in the Sky.
Day 9A guided tour of Yellowstone National Park takes in Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Lake.
Day 10The trip includes an overnight train from Salt Lake City to San Francisco.

Included

One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Denver to Grand Junction; Grand Junction to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to San Francisco on California Zephyr®
5 day compact car rental
Roundtrip transfers from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone
11 nights' hotel accommodations

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?: Yes. The package includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel on the California Zephyr for the legs Denver to Grand Junction, Grand Junction to Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake City to San Francisco, including one overnight train.
Is this an escorted tour or an independent trip?: It is a mix. Amtrak Vacations includes small-group guided tours of Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone and Yosemite, while Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion are free, self-drive days, and the rail travel between stops is independent.
Which train does the trip use?: The California Zephyr, in Coach class, for the segments between Denver, Grand Junction, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.
What hotels are included?: 11 nights of hotel accommodations are included, chosen from 30 accommodation options across the trip's cities and price tiers rather than one fixed hotel list.
How much walking is involved?: The itinerary describes full-day park tours, city sightseeing, and a day of 'picturesque trails' at Zion, but does not describe any strenuous hikes.