Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast - LA to Boston
Independent coast-to-coast US rail trip on four Amtrak trains, LA to Boston
10 daysfrom $1,809
100% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks of the Southwest - Bryce and Zion to the Grand Canyon
10-day rail loop from Chicago to Utah's parks and the Grand Canyon
Amtrak Vacations operates this 10-day, 9-night rail vacation that begins in Chicago, Illinois, and ends near the Grand Canyon in Williams, Arizona, using the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr for overnight rail legs and the Grand Canyon Railway for the final approach to the South Rim. After an overnight train to Grand Junction, Colorado, the trip picks up a rental car for self-drive days at Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, with a stop at Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam on day 6 en route to Williams. A guided tour covers Arches and Canyonlands on day 3, and another covers the Grand Canyon on day 7, with breakfast and dinner at the historic Fred Harvey Restaurant. This suits travelers who want a compact Southwest national parks trip bookended by overnight train travel, mostly exploring by rental car in between.
What to know before you look closer
- Moab accommodation is chosen from 6 listed hotel options across different brands rather than one fixed property.
- Only 2 meals are included across the 9 nights, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner, so most meals are on your own.
- Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Lake Powell are covered on self-drive days without a guide; only Arches, Canyonlands and the Grand Canyon have guided tours.
- The itinerary does not list specific current departure dates, so confirm the trip is running before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Depart Chicago's Union Station onboard the Southwest Chief for an overnight rail journey to Grand Junction, Colorado.
- Day 2overnight: Moab
Moab, UT
Travel through the Rocky Mountains on the California Zephyr, arrive in Grand Junction and pick up your included car rental.
- Day 3overnight: Moab
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Tour to Arches & Canyonlands National Parks, including the Colorado River, iconic arches, rock pinnacles, spires, and Island in the Sky.
- Day 4overnight: Springdale
Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks
Continue from Moab to Capitol Reef, then Bryce Canyon, known for hoodoos, bristlecone pine trees, and views from Sunrise, Sunset, and Inspiration Point.
- Day 5overnight: Springdale
Zion National Park
Explore Zion National Park's breathtaking landscapes, including Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, Temple of Sinawava and the Grotto.
- Day 6railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Depart Springdale for Flagstaff, stopping at Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam. Drop off your rental car and transfer to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams.
- Day 7railovernight: Grand Canyon's South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then board the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim for a Grand Canyon Freedom Rim tour.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Time to see any remaining sights, then board the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams; included dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 9railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the Southwest Chief train back to Chicago, enjoying sunset and pristine vistas across ranches and missions.
Meals: Dinner
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The trip departs Chicago's Union Station onboard the Southwest Chief for an overnight rail journey to Grand Junction.
- Day 3A tour of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks takes in the Colorado River, rock arches, pinnacles, spires and Island in the Sky.
- Day 5Zion National Park is explored, including Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, Temple of Sinawava and the Grotto.
- Day 6The drive from Springdale toward Williams stops at Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam.
- Day 7After breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, the Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers from Williams to the South Rim for a Grand Canyon Freedom Rim tour.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Grand Junction on the California Zephyr®; Williams to Chicago on the Southwest Chief®
- 4 day compact car rental from Grand Junction to Flagstaff
- Transfer from Flagstaff to Williams
- Roundtrip in Coach accommodation on the Grand Canyon Railway
- 7 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in this trip?
- Yes. Roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel is included, Chicago to Grand Junction on the California Zephyr and Williams to Chicago on the Southwest Chief, plus a roundtrip on the Grand Canyon Railway between Williams and the South Rim.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- Mostly independent. Guided tours are included for Arches and Canyonlands on day 3 and the Grand Canyon on day 7; Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Lake Powell are seen on self-drive days with the included rental car.
- Which trains does the trip use?
- The Southwest Chief and California Zephyr for the Chicago to Grand Junction legs, and the Grand Canyon Railway between Williams and the South Rim, all in Coach class.
- What hotels are included?
- 7 nights of hotel accommodations plus 2 nights onboard Amtrak are included, with Moab chosen from 6 listed hotel options and stays in Springdale, the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, and Yavapai Lodge in Grand Canyon National Park.
- What meals are included?
- 2 meals, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner, both at the Fred Harvey Restaurant near the Grand Canyon.
- Is a rental car included?
- Yes, a 4-day compact car rental is included from Grand Junction to Flagstaff, covering the self-drive stretch through Utah's parks and Lake Powell.
