Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks Explorer
19-day rail trip across 4 national parks on 3 named trains
19 daysfrom $6,309
32% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks of America
26-day rail trip across 12 national parks on 4 named trains
Amtrak Vacations operates this 26-day, 25-night rail vacation that begins in Denver, Colorado, and ends in Seattle, Washington, visiting 12 national parks along the way, including Rocky Mountain, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and Glacier. The trip combines four named Amtrak trains, the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief and Empire Builder, with a 9-day rental car for a self-drive stretch through Utah and Wyoming and the heritage Grand Canyon Railway between Williams and the South Rim. Guided tours are included at most park stops, such as day 2's small-group tour of Rocky Mountain National Park, while Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion are covered independently by car. Later days add city time in Chicago and Seattle, plus a day trip to Mount Rainier. This suits travelers planning one long trip rather than several shorter ones, comfortable moving frequently between trains, rental car, and hotels across many one-night stops.
What to know before you look closer
- This package lists 52 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.
- Only 6 meals are included across the 25 nights, 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, so most meals are on your own.
- Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion are covered during a self-drive stretch with a rental car rather than a guided tour.
- The itinerary does not list specific current departure dates, so confirm the trip is running before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Welcome to Denver and the start of your Grand National Parks of America adventure! Check into your hotel and explore Red Rocks Park, the Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo and more.
- Day 2overnight: Denver
Rocky Mountain National Park
Full day small-group sightseeing tour of Rocky Mountain National Park, with an included picnic lunch, wildlife viewing, and the Stanley Hotel.
- Day 3railovernight: Moab
Denver to Moab
Board the train for your journey to Grand Junction. Pick up your rental car and enjoy a picturesque self-drive to Moab for a two-night stay.
- Day 4overnight: Moab
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Full-day tour of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, featuring 2,000 natural sandstone arches including Delicate Arch, and the Island in the Sky.
- Day 5overnight: Springdale
Bryce and Capital Reef National Parks
Continue from Moab to Capitol Reef, the least known and least crowded park in Utah, then Bryce Canyon with its hoodoos, bristlecone pines, and viewpoints.
- Day 6overnight: Springdale
Zion National Park and Lake Powell
Explore Zion National Park's breathtaking landscapes, including Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, Temple of Sinawava and the Grotto.
- Day 7overnight: Salt Lake City
Springdale to Salt Lake City
Drive up to Salt Lake City, enjoying any last exploring along the way.
- Day 8overnight: Jackson Hole
Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park
Drive up to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, your base for discovering Grand Teton National Park.
- Day 9overnight: Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton to Yellowstone National Park
Half-day wildlife tour of Grand Teton National Park, then a short drive to Yellowstone.
- Day 10overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Guided tour through Yellowstone, including Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake.
- Day 11railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Drive from West Yellowstone back to Salt Lake City to drop off your rental car, then board your overnight train to San Francisco.
- Day 12overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Visit iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Coit Tower, and Fisherman's Wharf.
- Day 13overnight: San Francisco
Yosemite National Park, CA
Day tour of Yosemite National Park, including El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Inspiration Point, Half Dome, and Yosemite Village.
- Day 14overnight: Los Angeles
San Francisco to Los Angeles
Board Amtrak's Coast Starlight for your journey south to Los Angeles along the California coast.
- Day 15railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Enjoy a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Hollywood, including the Walk of Fame and Rodeo Drive, then board the train for your journey to the Grand Canyon.
- Day 16railovernight: Grand Canyon
Williams to Grand Canyon
Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then board the Grand Canyon Railway to the Grand Canyon for a guided tour of the South Rim.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 17railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Spend the morning at leisure at the Canyon, then take the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams; dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 18overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board Amtrak's Southwest Chief for the scenic overnight journey to Chicago.
- Day 19overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Arrive in Chicago and check in at your hotel; stroll the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and Millennium Park; admission to the Skydeck Chicago included.
- Day 20overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Spend the morning discovering more of Chicago, then head to Union Station for your afternoon departure on the Empire Builder to Glacier National Park.
- Day 21overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Welcome to Glacier National Park! Check in at the Glacier Park Lodge for a two-night stay.
- Day 22overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Big Sky Circle tour of Glacier National Park, driving over Maria's Pass, past Goat Lick, and along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 23railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Two Medicine Valley boat cruise, with Blackfoot Indian folklore, then board the overnight train to Seattle.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 24overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Welcome to Seattle! Check in for a two-night stay. Admission to the Seattle Space Needle included, plus the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass.
- Day 25overnight: Seattle
Mount Rainier National Park, WA
Special day trip to Mount Rainier via comfortable coach, including old growth forests, wildflower meadows, waterfalls, lunch at the cafe, and the interpretive center.
- Day 26
Your Journey Ends in Seattle
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A full-day small-group tour of Rocky Mountain National Park includes a picnic lunch, wildlife viewing, and a stop at the Stanley Hotel.
- Day 4A full-day tour of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks features 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including Delicate Arch.
- Day 16After breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, the Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers to the Grand Canyon for a guided tour of the South Rim.
- Day 22The 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 25A day trip to Mount Rainier National Park passes old growth forests, wildflower meadows, and waterfalls.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Denver to Grand Junction; Grand Junction to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to San Francisco; San Francisco to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to Williams; Williams to Chicago; Chicago to Glacier National Park; Glacier National Park to Seattle on the California Zephyr®, Coast Starlight®, Southwest Chief® and Empire Builder®
- 20 nights' hotel accommodations; 5 nights onboard Amtrak
- Roundtrip coach accommodations aboard Grand Canyon Railway
- 9-day mid-size car rental
- 6 meals included (3 breakfasts, 3 dinners)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in this trip?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel is included across the full route, Denver to Grand Junction, Grand Junction to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City to San Francisco, San Francisco to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Williams, Williams to Chicago, Chicago to Glacier National Park, and Glacier National Park to Seattle, on the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief and Empire Builder, plus a roundtrip on the Grand Canyon Railway, with 5 nights spent onboard.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is a mix. Small-group guided tours are included at Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Glacier National Parks, plus a hop-on, hop-off tour in Los Angeles, while Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion are free, self-drive days with a rental car.
- Which trains does the trip use?
- The California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief and Empire Builder, all in Coach class, plus the Grand Canyon Railway between Williams and the South Rim.
- What hotels are included?
- 20 nights of hotel accommodations plus 5 nights onboard Amtrak are included, chosen from 52 accommodation options across the route's cities and price tiers.
- What meals are included?
- 6 meals, 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, including breakfast and dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant near the Grand Canyon.
- Is a rental car included?
- Yes, a 9-day mid-size car rental is included for the self-drive stretch through Moab, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone.
