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Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park

Cross-country US rail trip through Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier

Illustration of Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park

Railbookers runs this 15-day, 14-night rail journey from Chicago to three of the country's best-known national parks and back, riding Amtrak's California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, and Empire Builder in Coach class. The route runs through Salt Lake City to Yellowstone, where day 4 takes in Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Yellowstone Lake, then on to San Francisco for a day trip into Yosemite's meadows and forests on day 7. From San Francisco, the train continues north through Seattle, where a Space Needle visit is included, before reaching Glacier National Park for three nights, with the Going-to-the-Sun Road on day 12 and a Two Medicine Valley boat cruise on day 13. Five of the fourteen nights are spent onboard the train rather than in a hotel. The trip suits travelers who want to see three national parks on one itinerary and don't mind a demanding schedule with several overnight train segments in coach class.

What to know before you look closer

  • The 30 listed hotels are accommodation OPTIONS across tiers and multiple cities rather than fixed stops, so which specific hotel you get depends on the tier you choose.
  • Rail travel throughout is in Amtrak Coach class, not a sleeper cabin, even though 5 of the 14 nights (days 1, 5, 8, 10, and 14) are spent onboard the train.
  • The evidence available to us does not list current departure dates for this trip; confirm scheduling directly with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Your Journey Begins in Chicago

    Head over to Union Station in Chicago to board the California Zephyr train heading West. Your journey to Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park has begun!

  2. Day 2railovernight: Salt Lake City

    Salt Lake City, UT

    The train journey from Chicago encompasses both the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. From golden grain fields to craggy mountain peaks, the scenery is magnificent! Later in the evening, your train arrives to Salt Lake City and you'll check in to your hotel for the night.

  3. Day 3overnight: West Yellowstone

    Yellowstone National Park

    Awake this morning and continue on to Yellowstone. Along the way you will take in a very scenic ride so keep your camera handy!

  4. Day 4overnight: West Yellowstone

    Yellowstone National Park

    America's first national park is yours to explore today! Your tour picks you up for a journey through Yellowstone. Famous spots such as Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake are all part of the experience.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    You are transported back to Salt Lake City today to board the train heading to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park.

  6. Day 6overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco, CA

    Tonight, you will arrive in San Francisco. Check into your hotel and either relax or head out to enjoy the city at night.

  7. Day 7overnight: San Francisco

    San Francisco to Yosemite National Park

    After being picked up from your hotel, your tour will take you across the beautiful heartland of California to Yosemite National Park. From its wide-open meadows, bold mountains, and abundant forest, Yosemite is an endless parade of nature's beauty. After your day of exploring, you will return in the evening to San Francisco.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Today is yours to experience all San Francisco has to offer. Use your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing pass to tour the city, hopping off at sites like Pier 39, Chinatown, Union Square, Golden Gate Park and more. This evening you head out to Emeryville to meet the train and continue your journey.

  9. Day 9overnight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    You spend today winding your way north through the picturesque northwest countryside, past rolling hills, mighty rivers and verdant pine forest. After arriving to Seattle, check in to your hotel for the evening.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    Take some time this morning to explore Seattle. Take in some amazing views with your included admission to the Space Needle. In the afternoon, head over to King Street Station and board Amtrak's Empire Builder train as you depart for Glacier National Park!

  11. Day 11overnight: Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park, MT

    You will arrive this morning to Glacier National Park, one of the most beautiful spots in North America. After checking in to your hotel, the day is free to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery all around you.

  12. Day 12overnight: Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park, MT

    After breakfast, you journey out to experience all the magnificent beauty Glacier National Park has to offer. Travel along the winding mountain way known as Going-to-the-Sun Road. Take in amazing vantage points such as Logan Pass and Goat Lick.

  13. Day 13overnight: Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park, MT

    Today your exploration of Glacier continues. You are picked up and transferred to Two Medicine Valley where you experience the park by boat cruise. Keep your eyes open for the abundant wildlife regularly spotted along the lake shore!

  14. Day 14railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    After enjoying a final breakfast at Glacier Park Lodge, you will cross over to the train station and board the Empire Builder once more. The journey through the Rockies is a once in a lifetime passage through soaring mountain ridges and past countless examples of natural splendor.

  15. Day 15

    Your Journey Ends in Chicago

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4A tour through Yellowstone takes in Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake.
  • Day 7A day trip crosses California's heartland to Yosemite National Park, taking in its meadows, mountains, and forests.
  • Day 8A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing pass covers San Francisco, with stops including Pier 39, Chinatown, Union Square, and Golden Gate Park.
  • Day 12A drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park takes in vantage points such as Logan Pass and Goat Lick.
  • Day 13A Two Medicine Valley boat cruise in Glacier National Park offers views of wildlife along the lake shore.

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 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.

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
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 back to Chicago.
Which trains are used?
The California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, and Empire Builder, all Amtrak, in Coach class.
Is it a sleeper train?
No. The trains are Coach class, though 5 of the 14 nights, on days 1, 5, 8, 10, and 14, are spent onboard overnight as the train travels.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 30 hotel options across the trip's cities, including the Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile and the Waldorf Astoria Chicago.
How long is the trip?
The itinerary runs 15 days and 14 nights: 10 nights in hotels and 5 nights onboard Amtrak.
What is included besides rail and hotels?
6 meals (3 dinners, 3 breakfasts), a Yellowstone Lower Loop sightseeing tour, a Yosemite sightseeing tour, a San Francisco hop-on, hop-off pass, Space Needle admission in Seattle, the Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park, and the Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise.

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