Amtrak Vacations
Lewis and Clark Trail by Rail
Twelve-day Amtrak rail journey retracing the Lewis and Clark Trail
12 daysfrom $2,889
25% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Northern Rail Experience with Glacier National Park
Independent Chicago rail loop via Glacier National Park, Seattle, San Francisco
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent, 12-day rail vacation from Chicago to Glacier National Park, Seattle and San Francisco and back, on the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight and California Zephyr. Day 1 follows the Empire Builder along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail toward Montana, arriving at Glacier National Park for two nights that include a Big Sky Circle Tour along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, with stops for wildlife viewing at Goat Lick and a visit to Lake McDonald, plus a Two Medicine Valley boat cruise. The Empire Builder then continues to Seattle for two nights, including a hop-on, hop-off city tour, before the Coast Starlight carries travelers south to San Francisco for two nights that include a day trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods and Sausalito. The California Zephyr returns travelers to Chicago through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rockies. Five of the eleven nights are spent onboard Amtrak. This suits travelers who want a national park stop built into a longer cross-country rail itinerary, with guided touring at each stage.
What to know before you look closer
- The hotel is chosen from 19 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including the Glacier Park Lodge, so the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- All the Amtrak travel, including the 5 overnight legs across three trains, is Coach class seating rather than a sleeper cabin.
- 5 meals (2 breakfasts and 3 dinners) are included; other meals across the 12-day trip are on your own.
- The evidence includes no current departure dates or seasonal information for this trip; confirm availability directly with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! This afternoon, travel on your own to Chicago's Union Station and board Amtrak to Glacier National Park. The Empire Builder takes you along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail. Settle in for an exciting adventure through the majestic wilderness as you venture out West, following the footsteps of early pioneers!
- Day 2overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
This morning, you will travel through the gorgeous North Dakota plains and cross over the spectacular Gassman Coulee Trestle as you make your way to "Big Sky Country." This evening, you'll arrive in Glacier National Park, home to two different mountain ranges, 130 lakes, 1,000 species of plants, and over a million acres of pristine landscapes.
- Day 3overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, MT
Today, you will explore Glacier National Park on a Big Sky Circle tour, which features a breathtaking ride along the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, stops at Goat Lick for wildlife viewing and Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park. Afterward, you'll return to the Glacier Park Lodge for your final night's stay in the park.
- Day 4railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning you'll travel to Two Medicine Valley, a hidden gem in Glacier National Park, where you'll enjoy a scenic boat cruise in this gorgeous area. Spend the afternoon relaxing at Glacier Park Lodge before taking a short walk to the East Glacier Station to board Amtrak continuing your train journey west.
- Day 5overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Welcome to Seattle! the "Emerald City" is full of gorgeous sights just waiting for you to discover! Upon arrival, you will travel on your own to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Then, the rest of the day is yours to explore all Seattle has to offer.
- Day 6overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to see some of Seattle's most popular sights! Your tour will connect you to downtown attractions such as Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Seattle Center, Seattle's Waterfront and more!
- Day 7overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, travel on your own to Seattle's Amtrak station and prepare to take a beautiful ride on the Coast Starlight to San Francisco. The scenery along the Coast Starlight route is truly breathtaking. Enjoy the majestic landscapes right outside your window as you wind through lush forests, fertile valleys, and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline.
- Day 8overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
You will arrive in San Francisco this morning and then head to your hotel to check in and drop off your belongings. Then, it's time for some sightseeing! Climb aboard a hop-on, hop-off tour that includes all San Francisco's great locations, like Fisherman's Wharf, Downtown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and many more. You can hop off the tour at any of the designated stops to explore them at your own pace.
- Day 9overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Today, get ready to discover the beauty of the Muir Woods and Sausalito! On the drive to Muir Woods, you'll cross over the Golden Gate Bridge and disembark in the serene redwood forest. Once you've taken in all that Muir Woods has to offer, you'll stop over in Sausalito, a "California original." This charming coastal town is home to many artists and has a delightful array of restaurants, galleries, walking paths, and spectacular Bay and City views. You'll have some free time to explore all Sausalito has to offer before your 30-minute bay cruise, which takes you back to Fisherman's Wharf. This evening, enjoy your included dinner at a popular local restaurant.
- Day 10railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
This morning, travel on your own to the Amtrak station and board the California Zephyr® back to Chicago. This route is said to be one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America. As you climb through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and the heart of the Rockies, you may find it hard to disagree. Sit back, relax, and take in the stunning scenery.
- Day 11railovernight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Wake up this morning on the California Zephyr and take in the gorgeous landscape of the American countryside as the train ventures east to Chicago. There are so many great sights to behold on this ride! Keep your eyes peeled for the Moffat Tunnel, Glenwood Canyons, and Midwest plains.
- Day 12
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Empire Builder departs Chicago and follows major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail on the way to Glacier National Park.
- Day 3A full-day Big Sky Circle Tour follows the Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park, with stops at Goat Lick for wildlife viewing and at Lake McDonald, the park's largest lake.
- Day 4A boat cruise explores Two Medicine Valley, described as a hidden corner of Glacier National Park, before a short walk to the East Glacier Station to rejoin Amtrak.
- Day 9A day trip from San Francisco crosses the Golden Gate Bridge to the redwood forest of Muir Woods, then stops in the coastal town of Sausalito.
- Day 10The California Zephyr climbs through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and the heart of the Rockies on the way back toward Chicago.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® from Chicago to Glacier National Park and Glacier National Park to Seattle on the Empire Builder®; Seattle to San Francisco on the Coast Starlight®; San Francisco to Chicago on the California Zephyr® in Coach accommodations
- 6 nights’ hotel accommodations; 5 nights onboard Amtrak
- 5 meals included (2 breakfasts and 3 dinners)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Roundtrip Coach class travel on the Empire Builder (Chicago to Glacier National Park to Seattle), the Coast Starlight (Seattle to San Francisco), and the California Zephyr (San Francisco to Chicago).
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It's an independent rail vacation with included park and city touring: a Big Sky Circle Tour and boat cruise at Glacier, plus hop-on, hop-off tours in Seattle and San Francisco.
- Which trains are used?
- The Empire Builder, the Coast Starlight, and the California Zephyr, all in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- 19 accommodation options across tiers and cities, including the Glacier Park Lodge at Glacier National Park; the exact hotel depends on what's booked.
- What is included besides rail and hotels?
- A Big Sky Circle Tour and Two Medicine Valley boat cruise at Glacier National Park, hop-on, hop-off tours of Seattle and San Francisco, a Muir Woods and Sausalito excursion, and 5 meals.
- How much of the trip is onboard the train versus in a hotel?
- 5 of the 11 nights are spent onboard Amtrak; the other 6 are hotel nights, split evenly across Glacier National Park, Seattle and San Francisco.
