Amtrak Vacations
Grand Canyon Discovery Roundtrip from Washington, D.C.
13-day roundtrip rail journey from Washington, D.C. to the Grand Canyon
13 daysfrom $1,899
38% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Escorted rail vacation
Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon Roundtrip from Los Angeles
14-day roundtrip Amtrak journey from Los Angeles to three national parks
Amtrak Vacations operates this 14-day, 13-night escorted rail vacation roundtrip from Los Angeles to three national parks: Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon. The Coast Starlight follows the California coast north to San Francisco, where a day trip visits Yosemite National Park for a close-up view of El Capitan and its pine forest. The California Zephyr then continues east through desert scenery to Salt Lake City, with an included shuttle to West Yellowstone for a guided tour taking in Old Faithful and abundant wildlife, before returning to Salt Lake City. From there the Zephyr passes through the Moffat Tunnel and Glenwood Canyon on the way to Chicago, and the Southwest Chief carries travelers overnight to Williams, Arizona, where the historic Grand Canyon Railway climbs to the South Rim for an included sightseeing tour before the return journey to Los Angeles. Rail travel between stops is independent, while sightseeing at each park is guided, suiting travelers who want structured park touring on a shorter, lower-priced itinerary.
What to know before you look closer
- The package includes just 1 meal, a breakfast, across the full 14 days; nearly all 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 1railovernight: San Francisco
Your Journey Begins in Los Angeles
Board the Coast Starlight train at Union Station heading north to San Francisco along the California coast.
- Day 2overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Day trip to Yosemite National Park, including El Capitan and abundant pine forest, returning to San Francisco in the evening.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the California Zephyr west to Salt Lake City, taking in scenic desert views.
- Day 4overnight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Discover Salt Lake City including Temple Square and the State Capitol.
- Day 5overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Included shuttle to Yellowstone, arriving in West Yellowstone.
- Day 6overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Guided tour of Yellowstone taking in Old Faithful and abundant wildlife.
- Day 7overnight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Included shuttle back to Salt Lake City, evening at leisure.
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the California Zephyr east to Chicago, passing the Moffat Tunnel and Glenwood Canyons.
- Day 9overnight: Chicago
Chicago, IL
Enjoy Chicago sights including Skydeck Chicago, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park.
- Day 10overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the Southwest Chief at Union Station for an overnight journey to the Grand Canyon.
- Day 11overnight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Arrive in Williams, the 'Gateway to the Grand Canyon.'
- Day 12railovernight: Grand Canyon (South Rim)
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Board the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim; included sightseeing tour of the Canyon.
- Day 13railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Morning free at the Grand Canyon; return to Williams via the Grand Canyon Railway. Dinner included.
- Day 14
Your Journey Ends in Los Angeles
Arrive back in Los Angeles.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A day trip to Yosemite National Park, including a close-up view of El Capitan and its pine forest, returning to San Francisco in the evening.
- Day 6A guided tour of Yellowstone National Park taking in Old Faithful and abundant wildlife.
- Day 8The California Zephyr passes through the Moffat Tunnel and Glenwood Canyon on the way to Chicago.
- Day 12The historic Grand Canyon Railway carries you to the South Rim, with an included sightseeing tour.
- Day 13A free morning at the Grand Canyon before returning to Williams via the Grand Canyon Railway, with dinner included.
Included
- One-way Amtrak from Los Angeles to San Francisco; San Francisco to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to Chicago; Chicago to Williams; Williams to Los Angeles in Coach accommodations on the Coast Starlight, California Zephyr and Southwest Chief
- 9 nights' hotel accommodations
- 4 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal included (1 breakfast)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. The package includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco, San Francisco to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City to Chicago, Chicago to Williams, and Williams back to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, 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 Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon; rail travel between stops is independent.
- Which national parks does it visit?
- Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.
- How many nights are spent on the train versus in hotels?
- The trip includes 9 nights in hotels and 4 nights onboard Amtrak, over 14 days and 13 nights total.
- What meals are included?
- 1 meal across the trip, a breakfast.
- How much does the trip cost?
- Prices start from $2,819 USD, about $201 per day.
