Amtrak Vacations
Arches and Canyonlands to the Rocky Mountains with Canyon Spirit from San Francisco
Independent rail trip from San Francisco to Denver via Canyon Spirit
7 daysfrom $4,169
43% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks of the Southwest Roundtrip from San Francisco
7-day rail loop from San Francisco to five Utah national parks
Amtrak Vacations operates this 7-day, 6-night rail vacation that begins and ends in San Francisco, California, using the California Zephyr for an overnight journey each way to and from Grand Junction, Colorado. From Grand Junction, guided sightseeing tours cover five of Utah's national parks: Arches and Canyonlands on day 3, with a drive through Monument Valley to Springdale, Zion National Park on day 4, and Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef on day 5 before returning to Grand Junction. A 5-day rental car is included alongside the guided touring, and a free day in Grand Junction, day 2, leaves time to stroll the Riverfront Trail or browse downtown. This suits travelers based on the West Coast who want a short, guided national park trip bookended by overnight train travel, without arranging park logistics themselves.
What to know before you look closer
- This package lists 11 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.
- The evidence does not list any meals as included in this package.
- Day 3 covers Arches, Canyonlands and a drive through Monument Valley to Springdale in a single day, a long day of touring and driving.
- 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 San Francisco
Board Amtrak's famous California Zephyr this morning for the overnight journey to Grand Junction, Colorado.
- Day 2overnight: Grand Junction
Grand Junction, CO
Arrive in Grand Junction and check into your hotel; stroll along the Riverfront Trail or browse boutiques, bookstores, and galleries of downtown.
- Day 3overnight: Springdale
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Picked up in Grand Junction to begin your tour, starting with Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and Island in the Sky, then through Monument Valley to Springdale for a two-night stay.
- Day 4overnight: Springdale
Zion National Park, UT
Incredible journey through Zion National Park, featuring picturesque trails, stunning vistas, vermillion cliffs, canyons, and popular sights.
- Day 5overnight: Grand Junction
Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks
Visit Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, including Fairyland Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and the Waterpocket Fold. Return to Grand Junction for an additional overnight stay.
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Depart on Amtrak this morning from Grand Junction for your overnight journey back to San Francisco onboard the California Zephyr.
- Day 7
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The trip departs San Francisco aboard the California Zephyr for the overnight journey to Grand Junction, Colorado.
- Day 3A guided sightseeing tour covers Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Island in the Sky, then drives through Monument Valley to Springdale.
- Day 4Zion National Park is explored, with picturesque trails, vermillion cliffs and canyons.
- Day 5Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks are visited, including Fairyland Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and the Waterpocket Fold.
- Day 6The trip returns overnight to San Francisco onboard the California Zephyr.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Grand Junction on the California Zephyr®
- 4 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 5 day compact car rental
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in this trip?
- Yes. Roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel from San Francisco to Grand Junction is included on the California Zephyr, with one overnight journey each way, on days 1 and 6.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- Guided sightseeing tours are included at each national park stop, Arches and Canyonlands, Zion, and Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef; rail travel between San Francisco and Grand Junction is independent.
- Which train does the trip use?
- The California Zephyr, in Coach class, between San Francisco and Grand Junction.
- What hotels are included?
- 4 nights of hotel accommodations in Grand Junction and Springdale are included, plus 2 nights onboard Amtrak, chosen from 11 accommodation options across the route's cities and price tiers.
- Is a rental car included?
- Yes, a 5-day compact car rental is included.
- What meals are included?
- The evidence does not list any meals as included in this package.
