Amtrak Vacations
Essential Grand Canyon to Yosemite Roundtrip Chicago
Grand Canyon and Yosemite rail roundtrip from Chicago on four named trains
9 daysfrom $1,659
56% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent Rail Vacation
National Parks of the Southwest - Bryce and Zion to the Grand Canyon
Nine-day Chicago roundtrip past Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon
Amtrak Vacations runs this nine-day, eight-night Independent Rail Vacation as a roundtrip from Chicago, riding the Southwest Chief overnight to Grand Junction, Colorado on day 1. From Grand Junction, a rental car carries travellers through Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon to two nights in Springdale, the base for a free day exploring Zion National Park's trails, including the Court of the Patriarchs and Emerald Pools. The route continues by car past Lake Powell to Williams, Arizona, where day 6 boards the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim, a route that has carried visitors since the 1850s, for an overnight stay before returning to Williams for an included dinner. The Southwest Chief then carries travellers overnight back to Chicago. With free days built in at each national park and only two meals included, this trip suits independent-minded travellers on a modest budget who want to see several Southwest parks without giving up the train legs at either end.
What to know before you look closer
- Amtrak Vacations offers 19 accommodation options across Chicago and Grand Junction; which hotel you get depends on the tier and city chosen.
- Days 2 through 5, covering Grand Junction, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, are covered by rental car, not train; only the Chicago to Grand Junction leg, the Williams to Chicago leg, and the Grand Canyon Railway are by rail.
- Only two meals are included across the whole trip, one breakfast and one dinner; other meals are on your own.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Amtrak (onboard)
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Depart Chicago's Union Station onboard the Southwest Chief today for an overnight rail journey to Grand Junction, Colorado. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and all the incredible views along the way!
- Day 2overnight: Grand Junction
Grand Junction, CO
Today, travel through the Rocky Mountains and enjoy the most beautiful stretch of the California Zephyr. Later this afternoon, arrive in Grand Junction and pick up your included car rental. Grand Junction offers something for everyone to enjoy, from farm-to-table cuisine, hiking, shopping, arts and culture, and so much more. Stroll along the Riverfront Trail or browse the boutiques, bookstores, and galleries of Downtown.
- Day 3overnight: Springdale
Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks
Get ready for an exciting day that includes two amazing National Parks! Travel along Scenic Byway UT-12 en route to your first stop: Capitol Reef. Probably the least known and least crowded park in Utah (though equally as mesmerizing), this national park features cliffs, hidden arches, massive sandstone domes that resemble capitol buildings, and deep canyons. The scenery speaks for itself with plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos or simply admire the views. See the park's most famous attraction, the Waterpocket Fold. When you arrive in Bryce Canyon, the highlights will most certainly be the distinctive hoodoos (red rock pillars), bristlecone pine trees (the oldest trees in the world), and views from Sunrise, Sunset, and Inspiration Point.
- Day 4overnight: Springdale
Zion National Park
Today, spend the day exploring Zion National Park, one of Utah's most breathtaking landscapes. Featuring 200 miles of picturesque trails, stunning vistas, vermillion cliffs, canyons, jagged skyline, and flora and fauna, this national park is a must-visit! Must see highlights of the park are Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, Temple of Sinawava and the Grotto. And you can't forget about the wildlife! Deer, wild turkeys, and bighorn sheep call this place home. After touring Zion, head back to Springdale and enjoy a relaxing evening.
- Day 5railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Depart Springdale this morning and make your way to Flagstaff. Be sure to stop at Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam along the way! Drop off your rental car in Flagstaff and be picked up and brought right to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in the town of Williams, Arizona, famous for being the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon."
- Day 6railovernight: Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
After having breakfast, board the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. During your Grand Canyon Freedom Rim tour, you'll discover why the South Rim has been hosting visitors since the 1850's. It's awe-inspiring. Except, back then, the trip here meant surviving a bone-jarring stagecoach ride that took anywhere from one to two days! With close to two dozen expansive, breath-taking viewpoints, the South Rim will provoke childlike wonder and a sense that the world is so much more magnificent and grand than you imagined.
Meals: B
- Day 7railovernight: Williams
Williams, AZ
Before boarding the Grand Canyon Railway from the South Rim back to Williams, take some time to see any sights and capture memories that you didn't get a chance to yesterday. In Williams, explore on your own before enjoying your included dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant. Perhaps head to Wild West Junction (a short walk from downtown) to see Wild West-era buildings or grab a night cap at the Long Horn Saloon and reflect on your wonderful rail journey through the American Southwest.
Meals: D
- Day 8overnight: Amtrak (onboard)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, you'll board the Southwest Chief for your long-haul journey back to Chicago. Once onboard, take in all the captivating views as you travel back to Chicago.
- Day 9
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The trip departs Chicago's Union Station aboard the Southwest Chief for an overnight rail journey to Grand Junction, Colorado.
- Day 4A full day in Zion National Park takes in the Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, the Temple of Sinawava, and the Grotto.
- Day 6The Grand Canyon Railway carries travellers from Williams to the South Rim, which has hosted visitors since the 1850s.
- Day 7An included dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant in Williams follows a return ride on the Grand Canyon Railway.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Grand Junction; Williams to Chicago on California Zephyr® and Southwest Chief®
- 3 day compact car rental from Grand Junction to Flagstaff
- Transfer from Flagstaff to Williams
- 6 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 2 meals included (1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the whole trip by train?
- No. The Southwest Chief covers Chicago to Grand Junction and Williams back to Chicago, and the Grand Canyon Railway covers Williams to the South Rim, but the Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Lake Powell portion of the trip uses a rental car.
- Do I sleep on the train?
- Yes. Both the outbound (day 1) and return (day 8) Southwest Chief legs are overnight rides.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It is listed as an Independent Rail Vacation, with free days built in to explore Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Parks at your own pace.
- What is included?
- Amtrak Vacations includes roundtrip Coach rail from Chicago to Grand Junction and Williams to Chicago, a 3-day compact car rental from Grand Junction to Flagstaff, a transfer from Flagstaff to Williams, 6 nights of hotel plus 2 nights onboard Amtrak, and 2 meals, one breakfast and one dinner.
- How much does it cost?
- Prices start from $1,019 per person for the 9-day trip, about $113 per day.
