Amtrak Vacations
Grand National Parks of the Southwest
8-day round-trip rail journey from Chicago to Utah's Mighty 5 parks
8 daysfrom $1,499
25% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Roundtrip from San Francisco
San Francisco roundtrip rail and rental-car trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone
Amtrak Vacations runs this 8-day independent rail vacation as a roundtrip from San Francisco to two of the West's best-known national parks. The outbound and return legs are aboard the California Zephyr in Coach class, an overnight train that crosses Nevada and Utah desert landscapes on the way to Salt Lake City. From there, travelers pick up a rental car for the drive to Jackson Hole, the base for a guided wildlife tour of Grand Teton National Park, before continuing to Yellowstone National Park for a guided sightseeing tour that takes in geothermal features such as Old Faithful. The pace mixes overnight train travel with free evenings in Jackson Hole and two nights inside Yellowstone, so it suits travelers who want an independent itinerary with some structure built in for the parks. Amtrak Vacations offers a choice of hotels across San Francisco and Salt Lake City rather than a single fixed property.
What to know before you look closer
- Amtrak Vacations lists 17 hotel options across San Francisco and Salt Lake City; the specific hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
- The Yellowstone sightseeing tour varies by season: the Lower Loop Tour runs most of the year, with the Old Faithful Explorer Tour substituted during winter months.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Depart San Francisco
Depart San Francisco for a relaxing rail journey to Salt Lake City on Amtrak's California Zephyr. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and spectacular views out your window.
- 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 Nevada and into Utah, you will be treated to an amazing array of desert landscapes. 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 to Salt Lake City
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 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Depart Salt Lake City this morning on the train for your overnight journey back to San Francisco. Enjoy new views you may have missed on the way!
- Day 8
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
View The Full Map
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2The California Zephyr crosses Nevada and into Utah, showing an array of desert landscapes, before arriving in Salt Lake City that evening.
- Day 4A half-day guided wildlife tour of Grand Teton National Park looks for bison and elk before the drive on to Yellowstone.
- Day 5A guided tour of Yellowstone National Park takes in craggy peaks, sprawling meadows, and geothermal features including the Old Faithful geyser.
- Day 7The California Zephyr carries you back overnight from Salt Lake City to San Francisco.
Included
- 6 nights' hotel accommodations, 2 nights onboard Amtrak®
- 5-day midsized car rental
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Salt Lake City on the California Zephyr®
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Roundtrip Amtrak in Coach class from San Francisco to Salt Lake City and back on the California Zephyr is included in the package.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation. Amtrak Vacations includes a rental car for the Grand Teton and Yellowstone portion, plus a half-day guided tour of Grand Teton and a guided sightseeing tour of Yellowstone.
- Which train is used?
- The California Zephyr, in Coach class, both ways between San Francisco and Salt Lake City.
- What hotels are included?
- Amtrak Vacations offers a choice of 17 hotel options across San Francisco and Salt Lake City; sample properties include the WOW InterContinental San Francisco and the Fairmont San Francisco in San Francisco, and the Peery Salt Lake City Downtown and Hilton Salt Lake City Center in Salt Lake City.
- What else is included besides the train and hotels?
- A 5-day midsize car rental, a half-day sightseeing tour of Grand Teton National Park, and a sightseeing tour of Yellowstone National Park, which is seasonal (the Old Faithful Explorer Tour substitutes for the Lower Loop Tour during winter months).
- How much does the trip cost?
- Prices start from $2,209 per person, in USD.
