Amtrak Vacations
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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Rail Journey
Independent rail and self-drive trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 7-day trip from Chicago to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The only rail leg is the California Zephyr, which crosses Colorado into Utah with mountain landscapes on the way to Salt Lake City. From there, travellers pick up a 5-day rental car and drive themselves to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the base for exploring Grand Teton National Park. On day 4, a half-day guided wildlife tour of Grand Teton brings sightings of bison and elk before the short drive to a hotel inside Yellowstone National Park. On day 5, a guided Yellowstone tour points out craggy peaks, sprawling meadows and geothermal features including Old Faithful. The trip then returns by car to Salt Lake City for a final night on your own. It suits independent travellers who are comfortable self-driving between national parks and want one long-distance rail leg to start the trip rather than a multi-city rail circuit.
What to know before you look closer
- Only one leg of this trip is by rail (Chicago to Salt Lake City on the California Zephyr); the rest of the trip is self-driven in a 5-day rental car.
- The Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour is seasonal, with the Old Faithful Explorer Tour substituted during winter months, per the operator's own listing.
- The evidence lists 17 accommodation options across the cities and tiers on this trip, so the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
- No meals are included on this itinerary; the included list covers only the hotel nights, the one rail leg, the park tours, and the rental car.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Depart Chicago
Depart from Chicago's Union Station for a journey west to the national parks.
- Day 2railovernight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
The train journey today will take you through spectacular scenery. As the train makes its way through Colorado to Utah, you will be treated to an amazing array of mountain landscapes. This evening, arrive in Salt Lake City and rest up for the night.
- Day 3overnight: Jackson Hole
Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park
Today you will take your rental car and drive up to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, your base for discovering Grand Teton National Park. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and have the evening free to relax and explore this charming town.
- Day 4overnight: Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park
This morning, you are picked up and taken for a half-day wildlife tour of Grand Teton National Park. Your guide will take you to some of the best spots for viewing the area's abundant wildlife, including bison and elk. This afternoon, take the short drive to Yellowstone and check in at your hotel located in the heart of this national park.
- Day 5overnight: Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Today you will be whisked away on a journey through the vast beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Your guide will point out craggy peaks, sprawling meadows, and the abundant geothermal features such as the famous Old Faithful geyser.
- Day 6overnight: Salt Lake City
Yellowstone National Park
Check out of your hotel this morning and head back to Salt Lake City. Once you arrive back, check in to your hotel and take the night to relax and enjoy the city on your own.
- Day 7
Your Journey Ends in Salt Lake City
View The Full Map
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2The California Zephyr crosses Colorado into Utah with mountain landscapes on the way to Salt Lake City.
- Day 3A self-driven journey to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, provides the base for exploring Grand Teton National Park.
- Day 4A half-day guided wildlife tour of Grand Teton National Park brings sightings of bison and elk before the drive to Yellowstone.
- Day 5A guided Yellowstone tour points out craggy peaks, sprawling meadows and geothermal features including Old Faithful.
Included
- 5 nights' hotel accommodations, 1 night onboard Amtrak®
- Half day sightseeing tour of Grand Teton National Park
- Sightseeing tour of Yellowstone National Park (seasonal; Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour is seasonal, Old Faithful Explorer Tour substituted during winter months)
- 5-day midsized car rental
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago, Illinois onboard the California Zephyr®
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes, for one leg: Amtrak's California Zephyr from Chicago to Salt Lake City in Coach class. The rest of the trip is self-driven in an included rental car.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's independent: travellers self-drive between Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone, though the Grand Teton and Yellowstone park visits are guided tours.
- Which train is used?
- The California Zephyr, from Chicago to Salt Lake City, in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- 17 accommodation options across the cities and tiers; the exact hotel depends on what is booked.
- When does the Yellowstone tour run?
- The Lower Loop Tour is seasonal; the Old Faithful Explorer Tour is substituted during winter months.
- What is included besides rail and hotels?
- A half-day Grand Teton wildlife tour, a Yellowstone National Park sightseeing tour, and a 5-day midsized rental car.
