Search

Amtrak Vacations · Rail vacation package

Grand National Parks with Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park Roundtrip San Francisco

16-day roundtrip Amtrak journey from San Francisco to three national parks

Illustration of Grand National Parks with Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park Roundtrip San Francisco

Amtrak Vacations operates this 16-day, 15-night rail vacation package roundtrip from San Francisco, visiting three of the country's national parks. The trip opens with two nights in San Francisco, including a day trip to Yosemite National Park to see granite peaks such as El Capitan and pine forests, before boarding the Coast Starlight for an overnight ride to Seattle. From there, the Empire Builder carries travelers overnight to Glacier National Park for three nights, where a narrated Big Sky Circle Tour follows Going-to-the-Sun Road past Logan Pass, and a boat cruise crosses Two Medicine Valley. The Empire Builder then continues overnight to Chicago, followed by the Southwest Chief to Williams, Arizona, and the historic Grand Canyon Railway up to the South Rim for a motorcoach tour. The journey ends with the Coast Starlight tracing the California coastline back to San Francisco. Free mornings in Seattle and Chicago suit travelers who like exploring on their own between guided excursions.

What to know before you look closer

  • Amtrak Vacations lists multiple hotel options for each overnight city, six in San Francisco, five in Seattle, and six in Chicago; the hotel you get depends on which option is booked.
  • The operator does not list current departure dates for this package; confirm availability directly with Amtrak Vacations before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: San Francisco

    Your Journey Begins in San Francisco

    Arrive in San Francisco today, check in to your hotel and get a good rest. Tomorrow you visit Yosemite!

  2. Day 2overnight: San Francisco

    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.

  3. Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak

    Explore San Francisco Then 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.

  4. Day 4railovernight: 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.

  5. Day 5overnight: 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.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park

    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.

  7. Day 7overnight: Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park

    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.

  8. Day 8overnight: Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park

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

  9. Day 9railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

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

  10. Day 10railovernight: Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Enjoy a relaxing day on the train taking in America's beautiful landscapes before a late afternoon arrival into Chicago.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Explore Chicago Then Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Use your included admission to the Skydeck Chicago for amazing views of the city and Great Lakes! Later this afternoon, head over to Union Station in Chicago to board the Empire Builder train heading West.

  12. Day 12overnight: Williams

    Williams, AZ

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

  13. Day 13railovernight: Grand Canyon

    Grand Canyon National Park

    After an included breakfast at the Grand Depot Café, 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.

  14. Day 14railovernight: 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.

  15. Day 15overnight: 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.

  16. Day 16

    Your Journey Ends in San Francisco

    Your Journey Ends in San Francisco.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A visit to Yosemite National Park to see bold rocky peaks such as El Capitan and sprawling piney forests, returning to San Francisco that evening.
  • Day 7The Big Sky Circle Tour carries you through Glacier National Park along Going-to-the-Sun Road, past Logan Pass and Goat Lick.
  • Day 8A sightseeing boat cruise across Two Medicine Valley in Glacier National Park.
  • Day 13The historic Grand Canyon Railway carries you up to the South Rim, followed by a motorcoach tour around the rim.
  • Day 15The Coast Starlight traces the spectacular California coastline on the ride back into San Francisco.

Included

  • 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
  • Admission to the Skydeck Chicago
  • Roundtrip service in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway
  • Motorcoach Freedom Tour of the Grand Canyon's South Rim
  • One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Seattle; Seattle to Glacier National Park; Glacier National Park to Chicago; Chicago to Williams; Williams to San Francisco on the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder and Southwest Chief
  • 10 nights' hotel accommodations
  • 5 nights onboard Amtrak
  • 8 meals included (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel from San Francisco to Seattle, Seattle to Glacier National Park, Glacier National Park to Chicago, Chicago to Williams, and Williams to San Francisco on the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Southwest Chief, plus roundtrip Coach travel on the Grand Canyon Railway.
Which national parks does this trip visit?
Yosemite National Park, Glacier National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.
Is this trip guided or independent?
Amtrak Vacations includes several guided sightseeing tours, a Yosemite excursion, the Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park, a Two Medicine Valley boat cruise, and a Grand Canyon motorcoach tour, along with free time in Seattle and Chicago to explore on your own.
How many nights are spent on the train versus in hotels?
The trip includes 10 nights in hotels and 5 nights onboard Amtrak trains, over 16 days and 15 nights total.
What is included in the price?
Sightseeing tours in Yosemite, San Francisco, Glacier National Park, and Chicago; admission to the Space Needle Observation Deck and Skydeck Chicago; Grand Canyon Railway roundtrip travel; one-way Amtrak Coach travel between cities; 10 hotel nights; 5 nights onboard Amtrak; and 8 meals (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners).
How much does the trip cost?
Prices start from $4,729 USD, about $296 per day.

Similar journeys