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Amtrak Vacations · Rail vacation package

Grand National Parks with Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park Roundtrip from New York City

16-day Amtrak roundtrip from New York City to three national parks

Illustration of Grand National Parks with Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park Roundtrip from New York City

Amtrak Vacations operates this 16-day rail vacation roundtrip from New York City to three national parks, with 7 nights onboard the train and 8 in hotels. Day 1 departs New York on an overnight aboard the Lake Shore Limited toward Chicago, continuing on the Southwest Chief to Williams, Arizona, where Day 4 boards the historic Grand Canyon Railway up to the South Rim. The Coast Starlight then carries travelers up the California coastline to San Francisco for a Yosemite National Park day of wildlife-watching among its forests and waterfalls, before the Empire Builder heads north through Seattle 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 return trip retraces the route through Chicago back to New York City. Hotel choices range from the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and Yavapai Lodge to a pick of Fairmont, InterContinental and Kimpton properties in San Francisco and Seattle. With five named long-distance trains, the trip suits travelers seeking the classic cross-country rail experience with pre-arranged park touring.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence lists 6 New York City hotel options, but Day 1 departs directly by overnight train with no NYC hotel night in the confirmed itinerary; San Francisco offers 6 hotel choices and Seattle 5 for the included nights there.
  • The Big Sky Circle Tour and Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise in Glacier National Park are both marked seasonal in the inclusions, so they may not run on every departure date.
  • Only 8 meals are included across the 16-day trip (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners); most meals are not included.
  • No current departure dates are listed in the evidence; confirm timing directly with Amtrak Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Your Journey Begins in New York City

    Begin your journey in New York City with an overnight on the train to Chicago. Your journey to the national parks has begun!

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Your train journey continues today from Chicago toward the Grand Canyon. Enjoy the views of the Midwestern US and spend an additional relaxing night onboard the train.

  3. Day 3overnight: Williams

    Williams, AZ

    Enjoy the beautiful western scenery as you get closer to the Grand Canyon. This evening you will arrive in Williams, AZ, a quaint Route 66 community.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Grand Canyon

    Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

    After an included breakfast, board the historic Grand Canyon Railway for the trip up to the Grand Canyon. Your tour picks you up from the depot and takes you all around the South Rim.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    The morning and early afternoon are yours to continue exploring the Grand Canyon. This afternoon, the Grand Canyon Railway brings you back to Williams. Enjoy an included dinner as you prepare to board Amtrak once more for your journey to the West Coast.

  6. Day 6overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco, CA

    Change trains this morning in Los Angeles as you prepare to ride up the spectacular California coastline on the Coast Starlight. Arriving to San Francisco this evening, check in to your hotel.

  7. Day 7overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco to Yosemite National Park

    Head off to experience the wonders of Yosemite National Park, from bold rocky peaks such as El Capitan to sprawling piney forests. This evening you return to San Francisco.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Use your included hop-on, hop-off tour pass to enjoy a narrated tour of San Francisco featuring Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, Union Square and more. This evening, head out on Amtrak to Emeryville to meet the train heading north.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    As your train heads to Seattle, experience the relaxing scenery of the Pacific Northwest. You will arrive to Seattle in the evening and check in to your hotel.

  10. Day 10overnight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Free morning to explore Seattle; admission to the Space Needle Observation Deck is included. This afternoon, you depart on the Empire Builder heading to Glacier National Park.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park, MT

    Your train arrives in Glacier National Park this morning. Your hotel is right across from the depot. Take some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.

  12. Day 12overnight: Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park, MT

    Your Big Sky Circle tour picks you up from the hotel and carries you through the park along Going-to-the-Sun Road, past Logan Pass and Goat Lick, with narration on the park's history, geology and native tribes.

  13. Day 13overnight: Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park, MT

    Transported to Two Medicine Valley for a sightseeing boat cruise, taking in the natural beauty of the valley, the lake, and its wildlife.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    After breakfast this morning you'll board the train heading back to Chicago, taking in soaring snow-capped peaks, rolling foothills, and wide-open plains.

  15. Day 15railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Continue on the train from Chicago back to New York City today, relaxing, enjoying the views and reflecting on your journey.

  16. Day 16

    Your Journey Ends in New York City

    Your Journey Ends in New York City.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Journey begins in New York City with an overnight aboard the Lake Shore Limited toward Chicago.
  • Day 4Board the historic Grand Canyon Railway up to the South Rim, with a tour around it from the depot.
  • Day 6Change trains in Los Angeles to ride the Coast Starlight up the spectacular California coastline into San Francisco.
  • Day 12Big Sky Circle Tour through Glacier National Park along Going-to-the-Sun Road, past Logan Pass and Goat Lick.
  • Day 13Sightseeing boat cruise of Two Medicine Valley, taking in the lake and its wildlife.

Included

  • 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 (seasonal)
  • Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise of Glacier National Park (seasonal)
  • Roundtrip Amtrak in Coach accommodations from New York City to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited
  • One way Amtrak in Coach accommodations Chicago to Williams; Williams to San Francisco; San Francisco to Seattle; Seattle to Glacier National Park and Glacier National Park to Chicago on the Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder
  • 8 nights' hotel accommodations
  • 7 nights onboard Amtrak
  • 8 meals included (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. All named long-distance Amtrak routes are included in Coach accommodations: the Lake Shore Limited (New York City to Chicago), Southwest Chief (Chicago to Williams), Grand Canyon Railway (Williams to the South Rim), Coast Starlight (to San Francisco and Seattle), and Empire Builder (Seattle to Glacier National Park and on to Chicago).
How many nights are spent onboard the train versus in hotels?
7 nights are spent onboard Amtrak and 8 nights in hotels, across the trip's 15 total nights.
What is included?
Roundtrip Coach-class Amtrak travel on all named routes, the Grand Canyon Railway, a motorcoach tour of the Grand Canyon's South Rim, a Yosemite National Park sightseeing tour, a hop-on-hop-off San Francisco tour, Space Needle admission, the Big Sky Circle Tour and Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise in Glacier National Park (both seasonal), 8 nights of hotels, and 8 meals (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners).
What hotels are used?
Named options include the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, Yavapai Lodge at the Grand Canyon, a choice of 6 hotels in San Francisco including the Fairmont San Francisco, a choice of 5 hotels in Seattle including the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, and the Glacier Park Lodge for 3 nights in Glacier National Park.
How much walking or activity is involved?
Sightseeing is mostly by included motorcoach and boat tour, the Grand Canyon Freedom Tour, the Yosemite tour, the Big Sky Circle Tour and the Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise, rather than hiking, though free time allows for more active exploring at each park.

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