Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks with Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park
Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Glacier National Park by Amtrak from Chicago
15 daysfrom $3,979
67% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park
15-day rail trip to Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier National Parks
Amtrak Vacations operates this 15-day, 14-night rail vacation that begins in Chicago, Illinois, and ends in Glacier National Park, Montana, using three named trains, the California Zephyr, the Coast Starlight and the Empire Builder, with 5 nights spent onboard. After crossing the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to Salt Lake City, the trip continues to a guided tour of Yellowstone on day 4, then an overnight train to San Francisco, where day 7 leaves plenty of free time to wander Yosemite National Park at your own pace. A hop-on, hop-off pass covers San Francisco on day 8, then the Empire Builder carries travelers north to Seattle and on to Glacier National Park, where a tour guide leads the Going-to-the-Sun Road on day 12 and a Two Medicine Valley boat cruise follows on day 13. This suits travelers who want long stretches of scenic rail travel woven between guided park tours and some open days to explore on their own.
What to know before you look closer
- This package lists 30 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.
- Only 6 meals are included across the 14 nights, 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, concentrated around the Glacier National Park stop, so most meals elsewhere are on your own.
- Day 7 in Yosemite and day 11 in Glacier National Park are free time without a scheduled guided tour.
- 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
Head to Union Station in Chicago to board the California Zephyr train heading West.
- Day 2railovernight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
The train journey from Chicago encompasses both the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains; arrives in Salt Lake City in the evening.
- Day 3overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Continue on to Yellowstone, taking in a very scenic ride.
- Day 4overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Guided tour through Yellowstone, including Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake.
- Day 5railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Transported back to Salt Lake City to board the train heading to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park.
- Day 6overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Arrive in San Francisco; check into your hotel and relax or head out to enjoy the city at night.
- Day 7overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Tour takes you across California's heartland to Yosemite National Park, with plenty of free time to wander at your own pace, then return to San Francisco.
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing pass to tour the city, including Pier 39, Chinatown, Union Square, Golden Gate Park. Head out to Emeryville to continue the journey.
- Day 9overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Wind your way north through the picturesque northwest countryside; arrive in Seattle and check in to your hotel.
- Day 10railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Explore Seattle with included admission to the Space Needle. In the afternoon, board Amtrak's Empire Builder train departing for Glacier National Park.
- Day 11overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Arrive at Glacier National Park, one of the most beautiful spots in North America; day free to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 12overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Tour guide picks you up for the Going-to-the-Sun Road, taking in Logan Pass and Goat Lick, with background on the park landscape, wildlife, and native peoples.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 13overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Transferred to Two Medicine Valley to experience the park by boat cruise, with spectacular views of pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 14overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the Empire Builder once more for the journey through the Rockies, past soaring mountain ridges, foothills, and plains.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 15
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The trip boards the California Zephyr at Chicago's Union Station heading west.
- Day 4A guided tour through Yellowstone takes in Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Lake.
- Day 8A hop-on, hop-off pass tours San Francisco, including Pier 39, Chinatown, Union Square and Golden Gate Park.
- Day 12A tour guide leads the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, taking in Logan Pass and Goat Lick.
- Day 13A transfer to Two Medicine Valley brings a boat cruise with views of pristine wilderness and wildlife.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to San Francisco; San Francisco to Seattle; Seattle to Glacier National Park; Glacier National Park to Chicago in Coach accommodations on the California Zephyr®, Coast Starlight®, and Empire Builder®
- 10 nights' hotel accommodations; 5 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 6 meals included (3 dinners, 3 breakfasts)
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $6,499
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in this trip?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel is included for the full route, Chicago to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City to San Francisco, San Francisco to Seattle, Seattle to Glacier National Park, and Glacier National Park to Chicago, on the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder, with 5 nights spent onboard.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- Guided tours are included at Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park's Big Sky Circle Tour and Two Medicine Valley cruise, plus a hop-on, hop-off tour in San Francisco; rail travel between stops is independent, and days such as day 7 in Yosemite and day 11 in Glacier are free time.
- Which trains does the trip use?
- The California Zephyr (Chicago to Salt Lake City to San Francisco), the Coast Starlight (San Francisco to Seattle), and the Empire Builder (Seattle to Glacier National Park to Chicago), all in Coach class.
- What hotels are included?
- 10 nights of hotel accommodations plus 5 nights onboard Amtrak are included, chosen from 30 accommodation options across the route's cities and price tiers.
- What meals are included?
- 6 meals, 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners, concentrated around the Glacier National Park stop.
- How much walking is involved?
- The itinerary describes touring by motor coach, a hop-on, hop-off city pass, and a boat cruise, with free time to wander at your own pace in Yosemite Village on day 7, but no strenuous hiking is described.
