Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon Roundtrip from Washington, D.C.
15-day roundtrip Amtrak journey from Washington DC to three national parks
15 daysfrom $3,629
80% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Escorted rail vacation
Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon Roundtrip from New York City
15-day roundtrip Amtrak journey from New York City to three national parks
Amtrak Vacations operates this 15-day, 14-night escorted rail vacation roundtrip from New York City to three national parks: Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon. An overnight ride on the Lake Shore Limited reaches Chicago, then the California Zephyr continues to Salt Lake City, where a Temple Square and State Capitol visit is followed by an included shuttle to West Yellowstone for a guided tour taking in Old Faithful and abundant wildlife. The route returns to Salt Lake City and continues overnight to San Francisco for a day trip to Yosemite National Park, home to stony peaks, open meadows, and giant sequoias, including a stop at El Capitan. The Coast Starlight then carries travelers to Los Angeles, and the Southwest Chief to Williams, Arizona, where the historic Grand Canyon Railway climbs to the South Rim for an included sightseeing tour before the return journey to New York City. Rail travel between stops is independent, while sightseeing at each park is guided, suiting travelers who want structured park touring without a fully escorted tour.
What to know before you look closer
- The package includes just 2 meals across the 15 days, one breakfast and one dinner; most meals are on your own.
- The operator does not list current departure dates for this package; confirm availability directly with Amtrak Vacations before booking.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in New York City
Board Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited for the overnight journey to Chicago.
- Day 2overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Time in Chicago before boarding the California Zephyr west to Salt Lake City.
- Day 3overnight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Discover Salt Lake City including Temple Square and the State Capitol.
- Day 4overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Included shuttle to Yellowstone, arriving in West Yellowstone.
- Day 5overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Guided tour of Yellowstone taking in Old Faithful and abundant wildlife.
- Day 6railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Transfer back to Salt Lake City, then board the train overnight to San Francisco.
- Day 7overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Arrive San Francisco via the California Zephyr; check in for a two-night stay.
- Day 8overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Day trip to Yosemite National Park, including El Capitan, returning to San Francisco in the evening.
- Day 9overnight: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Board the Coast Starlight south from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
- Day 10overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Full day in LA with a tour of the stars' homes; board the Southwest Chief overnight for Williams, AZ.
- Day 11railovernight: Grand Canyon (South Rim)
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Board the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim; included sightseeing tour.
- Day 12railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Morning free at the Grand Canyon; return to Williams via the Grand Canyon Railway. Dinner included.
- Day 13overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the Southwest Chief for the return journey to Chicago, then New York City.
- Day 14overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Arrive Chicago in the afternoon; board the Lake Shore Limited for the return trip to New York City.
- Day 15
Your Journey Ends in New York City
Arrive back in New York City.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 5A guided tour of Yellowstone National Park taking in Old Faithful and abundant wildlife.
- Day 8A day trip to Yosemite National Park, including El Capitan, returning to San Francisco in the evening.
- Day 11The historic Grand Canyon Railway carries you from Williams to the South Rim, with an included sightseeing tour.
- Day 12A free morning at the Grand Canyon before returning to Williams via the Grand Canyon Railway, with dinner included.
Included
- Round-trip Amtrak in Coach accommodations from New York City to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to San Francisco; San Francisco to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to Williams; Williams to Chicago on the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight and the Southwest Chief
- 8 nights' hotel accommodations
- 6 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. The package includes roundtrip Amtrak Coach travel from New York City to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited, one-way Coach travel from Chicago to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City to San Francisco, San Francisco to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Williams, and Williams back to Chicago and New York City on the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, and Southwest Chief, plus roundtrip Coach travel on the Grand Canyon Railway.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- Amtrak Vacations describes it as an escorted rail vacation with guided sightseeing tours at Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon; rail travel between stops is independent.
- Which national parks does it visit?
- Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.
- How many nights are spent on the train versus in hotels?
- The trip includes 8 nights in hotels and 6 nights onboard Amtrak, over 15 days and 14 nights total.
- What meals are included?
- 2 meals across the trip, one breakfast and one dinner.
- How much does the trip cost?
- Prices start from $3,489 USD, about $233 per day.
