Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks with Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park
Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Glacier National Park by Amtrak from Chicago
15 daysfrom $3,979
67% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks Explorer
19-day rail trip across 4 national parks on 3 named trains
Amtrak Vacations operates this 19-day, 18-night rail vacation that begins in Chicago, Illinois, and ends in Glacier National Park, Montana, using three named trains: the California Zephyr, the Coast Starlight and the Empire Builder. Five of the trip's nights are spent onboard, including overnight journeys from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, San Francisco to Seattle, and Seattle to Glacier National Park. Guided sightseeing tours are included at each national park stop, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier, along with a multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour and bay cruise in San Francisco and admission to Seattle's Space Needle. Day 2 in Denver and day 15 in Glacier National Park are left free to explore on your own. This suits travelers who want long-distance train travel to be part of the experience itself, not just transport, and who are comfortable with a long, multi-city trip that mixes guided park tours with open days.
What to know before you look closer
- This package lists 36 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.
- Day 2 in Denver and day 15 in Glacier National Park are free days with no guided tour scheduled; sightseeing on those days is left to you.
- Only 6 meals are included across the 19 days, 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, so most meals are on your own.
- The itinerary does not list specific current departure dates, so confirm the trip is running before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Depart Chicago's Union Station this afternoon onboard the California Zephyr, traveling through America's heartland toward the Rocky Mountains.
- Day 2overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Welcome to Denver! Arrive early morning with the entire day to explore on your own, including Red Rocks Park, the Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo and more.
- Day 3overnight: Denver
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Experience the majestic splendor of the Rocky Mountains on an exhilarating day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Day 4railovernight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Board the California Zephyr to Salt Lake City, one of the most beautiful train rides in North America.
- Day 5overnight: West Yellowstone
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park
Included roundtrip shuttle service takes you on a scenic drive to West Yellowstone.
- Day 6overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Full-day sightseeing tour of Yellowstone's wonders, including possible bison herds or grizzly bear sightings. Leisurely lunch on your own at Old Faithful Village.
- Day 7overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Continue exploring Yellowstone, including Old Faithful Geyser, Isa Lake, Hayden Valley, Upper and Lower Falls, Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Lower Geyser Basin.
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Transfer back to Salt Lake City on included shuttle service, then board the California Zephyr for the overnight journey to San Francisco.
- Day 9overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Arrive at Emeryville station and board included motor coach transfer across the bay. Start exploring the famous Fisherman's Wharf.
- Day 10overnight: San Francisco
Yosemite National Park, CA
Cross the Bay Bridge at sunrise en route to Yosemite; you'll have 2.5 hours to hike, shop, and sample local cuisine in Yosemite Village.
- Day 11overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Take advantage of your included Hop-On, Hop-Off sightseeing tour, visiting Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, SOMA District, Nob Hill West, Chinatown, and more, plus an included bay cruise.
- Day 12overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Continue using your Hop-On, Hop-Off pass before boarding the Coast Starlight for your overnight journey north to Seattle.
- Day 13overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Arrive in Seattle in the evening and check into your hotel; perhaps stroll to Pike's Place Market or the Seattle Waterfront.
- Day 14overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Continue exploring Seattle, including the Space Needle with included admission, then board the Amtrak Empire Builder for an overnight journey to West Glacier Station.
- Day 15overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Arrive in Glacier National Park with the entire day to explore on your own, then settle into the iconic Glacier Park Lodge.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 16overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Continue exploring on the Big Sky Circle tour, driving over Maria's Pass, past Goat Lick, and along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 17overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Explore the serene sights of Glacier National Park on a scenic boat cruise of Two Medicine Valley, with Blackfoot Indian folklore narration.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 18railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board your train for the journey back to Chicago, soaking up sights such as the Moffat Tunnel, Glenwood Canyons, and Midwest Plains.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 19
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The trip departs Chicago's Union Station onboard the California Zephyr, traveling through America's heartland toward the Rocky Mountains.
- Day 3A day tour explores the majestic splendor of Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Day 7Yellowstone sightseeing continues with Old Faithful Geyser, Isa Lake, Hayden Valley, the Upper and Lower Falls, Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
- Day 16The Big Sky Circle tour of Glacier National Park drives over Maria's Pass, past Goat Lick, and along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
- Day 17A scenic boat cruise of Two Medicine Valley includes Blackfoot Indian folklore narration.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Denver; Denver to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to San Francisco; San Francisco to Seattle; Seattle to Glacier National Park; Glacier National Park to Chicago in Coach accommodations on the California Zephyr®, Coast Starlight®, and Empire Builder®
- 13 nights' hotel accommodations; 5 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 6 meals included (3 dinners; 3 breakfasts)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in this trip?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel is included for the entire route, Chicago to Denver, Denver to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City to San Francisco, San Francisco to Seattle, Seattle to Glacier National Park, and Glacier National Park back to Chicago, including 5 nights spent onboard.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- Guided sightseeing tours are included at each national park stop (Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier) and a hop-on, hop-off tour in San Francisco, but rail travel between stops and some free days, such as Denver and Glacier, are independent.
- Which trains does the trip use?
- The California Zephyr (Chicago to Denver to Salt Lake City to San Francisco), the Coast Starlight (San Francisco to Seattle), and the Empire Builder (Seattle to Glacier National Park to Chicago), all in Coach class.
- What hotels are included?
- 13 nights of hotel accommodations plus 5 nights onboard Amtrak are included, chosen from 36 accommodation options across the route's cities and price tiers.
- What meals are included?
- 6 meals: 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts, concentrated around the Glacier National Park stop.
- How much walking or hiking is involved?
- Most days are full-day sightseeing tours by motor coach, but day 10 includes 2.5 hours to hike in Yosemite Village, and the Glacier National Park days include a driving tour and a boat cruise.
