Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park
15-day rail trip to Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier National Parks
15 daysfrom $5,059
47% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks with Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park
Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Glacier National Park by Amtrak from Chicago
Amtrak Vacations runs this 15-day rail trip across the United States, starting and ending in Chicago and taking in three national parks along the way: the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Glacier National Park. Travellers ride the Southwest Chief west to Williams, Arizona, then board the historic Grand Canyon Railway up to the South Rim for a guided motorcoach tour before returning to Amtrak for the Coast Starlight's run up the California coast into San Francisco, where a day trip covers Yosemite's El Capitan and pine forests. From San Francisco, the Empire Builder carries travellers north through Seattle, where a free day includes Space Needle admission, and on to Glacier National Park for three nights, including the Big Sky Circle Tour along Going-to-the-Sun Road and a Two Medicine Valley boat cruise. The pace mixes overnight train segments and one-night park stops with longer two- to three-night stays in San Francisco, Seattle and Glacier, suiting travellers who want scenic rail travel paired with guided park sightseeing rather than a single guided tour throughout.
What to know before you look closer
- This is a mix of independent rail travel between destinations and guided sightseeing at each national park stop, not a single escorted tour with one tour manager throughout.
- Each overnight city on the route, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle, lists several possible hotels rather than one fixed property, so which one you get depends on what's available when you book.
- The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm current availability with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Head to Union Station in Chicago to board the Southwest Chief train heading West.
- Day 2overnight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Enjoy the western scenery as you head towards the Grand Canyon; arrive in Williams, AZ, a quaint Route 66 community.
- Day 3railovernight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then board the historic Grand Canyon Railway for the trip up to the South Rim, with a guided tour around the South Rim.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
The Grand Canyon Railway brings you back to Williams; enjoy an included dinner before boarding Amtrak once more for the West Coast.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 5overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Change trains in Los Angeles to ride up the spectacular California coastline on the Coast Starlight; arrive in San Francisco this evening.
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Head off to experience Yosemite National Park, including El Capitan and sprawling piney forests, then return to San Francisco.
- Day 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Use your included hop-on, hop-off tour pass featuring Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, Union Square and more, then head out on Amtrak to Emeryville to meet the train north.
- Day 8railovernight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Train heads to Seattle through the relaxing scenery of the Pacific Northwest; arrive in the evening and check in to your hotel.
- Day 9overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Free day to explore Seattle; admission to the famous Space Needle is included for spectacular views of the bay and Mt. Rainier.
- Day 10railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Visit Pike Place Market in the morning, then depart on the Empire Builder train heading to Glacier National Park.
- Day 11railovernight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Train arrives in Glacier National Park with your hotel right across from the depot; relax and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 12overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Big Sky Circle tour carries you through the park via Going-to-the-Sun Road, past Logan Pass and Goat Lick, with narration on history, geology, and native Blackfoot and Flathead folklore.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 13overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Transported to Two Medicine Valley for a sightseeing boat cruise, marveling at the valley, the lake, and local wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 14railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the train heading to Chicago, taking in the Moffat Tunnel, Glenwood Canyons, and Midwest Plains.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 15
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, then the historic Grand Canyon Railway carries travellers up to the South Rim for a guided tour.
- Day 5After changing trains in Los Angeles, the Coast Starlight rides the California coastline into San Francisco.
- Day 6A day trip from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park takes in El Capitan and pine forests.
- Day 9A free day in Seattle includes admission to the Space Needle Observation Deck, with views over the bay and Mt. Rainier.
- Day 12The Big Sky Circle Tour crosses Glacier National Park on Going-to-the-Sun Road, past Logan Pass and Goat Lick, with narration on the park's history, geology, and native Blackfoot and Flathead folklore.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Williams; Williams to San Francisco; San Francisco to Seattle; Seattle to Glacier National Park; Glacier National Park to Chicago in Coach accommodations on the Southwest Chief®, Coast Starlight®, and Empire Builder®
- 9 nights' hotel accommodations; 5 nights onboard Amtrak
- 8 meals included (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners)
- Roundtrip service in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway
- Motorcoach Freedom Tour of the Grand Canyon's South Rim
- Sightseeing tour of Yosemite National Park
- Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of San Francisco
- Admission to the Space Needle Observation Deck
- Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park
- Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise of Glacier National Park
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $5,699
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak Vacations includes one-way Coach travel from Chicago to Williams, AZ, Williams to San Francisco, San Francisco to Seattle, and Seattle to Glacier National Park and back to Chicago, on the Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder, plus a round trip on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's a mix: rail travel between stops is independent, while sightseeing at each national park stop, the Grand Canyon's South Rim, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park, is guided.
- Which trains are used?
- The Southwest Chief (Chicago to Williams), the Coast Starlight (Los Angeles to San Francisco to Seattle), the Empire Builder (Seattle to Glacier National Park to Chicago), and the Grand Canyon Railway between Williams and the South Rim.
- What hotels are used?
- A choice of hotels in each city, for example the Waldorf Astoria Chicago or Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago, the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, Yavapai Lodge at the Grand Canyon, and a choice of hotels in San Francisco and Seattle.
- How much walking is involved?
- The trip includes guided sightseeing tours (a Grand Canyon motorcoach tour, a Yosemite sightseeing tour, Glacier's Big Sky Circle Tour and a Two Medicine Valley boat cruise) and a hop-on hop-off tour of San Francisco; no hikes or high-altitude activity are described.
