Amtrak Vacations
Grand Canyon to Yosemite Roundtrip from Chicago
Roundtrip rail trip from Chicago to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite
11 daysfrom $1,939
45% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Rail vacation
Peaks to Pacific Grand Rail Journey
Rail journey from Denver through Yellowstone to San Francisco and Yosemite
Amtrak Vacations runs this 11-day, 10-night rail journey from Denver, Colorado, to San Francisco, California, with a side trip to Yosemite National Park. The trip opens with two days in Denver, including a sightseeing tour of Rocky Mountain National Park's Gore Range Overlook and Trail Ridge Road, before the California Zephyr carries you to Salt Lake City. From there a shuttle leads to three nights near Yellowstone National Park for guided tours of the Lower and Upper Loops, then day 7 is an overnight ride on the California Zephyr on to San Francisco. Three nights in San Francisco include a Hop-On, Hop-Off city tour, a bay cruise, and a full day at Yosemite National Park with time set aside to hike in Yosemite Village. The pace suits travelers who want national park scenery and an overnight train experience alongside guided city touring.
What to know before you look closer
- The hotel list includes 25 accommodation options across different tiers and cities, so the specific hotel you get depends on which tier and city option you choose.
- The Rocky Mountain National Park tour and the Yellowstone Lower Loop tour are seasonal; in the off season they are replaced with a combination city and mountain parks tour and the Old Faithful Explorer Tour.
- Free time at Yosemite National Park is limited to about 2.5 hours in Yosemite Village.
- On day 7 you transfer to the Salt Lake City station on your own before boarding the overnight California Zephyr to San Francisco.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Denver
Your Journey Begins in Denver
Welcome to Denver, Colorado, the gateway to the Rocky Mountains! Tour the internationally renowned Clyfford Still Museum and Denver Art Museum, visit the Cherry Creek neighborhood, grab a cup of coffee in Larimer Square, stroll through tree-lined Washington Park, or enjoy some world-class cuisine in the Highlands neighborhood.
- Day 2overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Today, you will spend the day sightseeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. You are guaranteed to be awed by the breathtaking views offered at Gore Range Overlook, Trail Ridge Road, Many Parks Curve, and Bear Lake Road.
- Day 3railovernight: Salt Lake City
Denver to Salt Lake City
Travel to the station and board Amtrak's California Zephyr to Salt Lake City for what many travelers say is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America.
- Day 4overnight: West Yellowstone
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park
Today, your included roundtrip shuttle service will take you on a scenic drive to West Yellowstone. Check in to your included hotel and settle in for a good night's rest.
- Day 5overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Yellowstone National Park's wonders. You may even encounter unexpected delights, such as a bison herd blocking the highway or a grizzly bear showing its cubs how to find food. Enjoy a leisurely lunch on your own at the Old Faithful Village.
- Day 6overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Continue exploring Yellowstone National Park on your sightseeing tour and take in all the experiences and sights that you didn't get to yesterday, including the Old Faithful Geyser, Isa Lake, Hayden Valley, Upper and Lower Falls, Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Lower Geyser Basin.
- Day 7overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, you will take a relaxing drive back to Salt Lake City on board the shuttle. Transfer on your own to the station and board Amtrak's California Zephyr® to San Francisco.
- Day 8overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Arrive in the evening in San Francisco at the Emeryville station, where you will board your included motor coach transfer for a short trip across the bay to San Francisco. Feel free to start exploring the area on your own, starting with the famous Fisherman's Wharf.
- Day 9overnight: San Francisco
Yosemite National Park, CA
Today you'll spend the day taking in the beauty of Yosemite National Park. Enjoy the panoramic views of the gorgeous San Francisco sunrise while crossing the Bay Bridge. Once you reach this serene destination, you'll have 2.5 hours to hike, shop, and sample the local cuisine in Yosemite Village.
- Day 10overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Take advantage of your included Hop-On, Hop-Off sightseeing tour and get to know the gorgeous, bustling city of San Francisco! Then, embark on your included bay cruise featuring live narration describing all the major landmarks.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A sightseeing day in Rocky Mountain National Park, with stops at Gore Range Overlook, Trail Ridge Road, Many Parks Curve, and Bear Lake Road.
- Day 3Board Amtrak's California Zephyr from Denver to Salt Lake City, a route many travelers call one of the most scenic train trips in North America.
- Day 6A sightseeing tour of Yellowstone's Upper Loop, taking in Old Faithful Geyser, Isa Lake, Hayden Valley, the Upper and Lower Falls, Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
- Day 7An overnight ride on the California Zephyr from Salt Lake City to San Francisco.
- Day 9A day at Yosemite National Park with 2.5 hours of free time to hike, shop, and eat in Yosemite Village.
Included
- One-way Amtrak from Denver to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to San Francisco on the California Zephyr® in Coach accommodations
- 9 nights' hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard Amtrak
- Roundtrip transfers between Salt Lake City and West Yellowstone
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak Vacations includes one-way travel from Denver to Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City to San Francisco on the California Zephyr in Coach accommodations, including one night onboard.
- Do I sleep on the train?
- Yes, on day 7 you ride the California Zephyr overnight from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, arriving in the evening of day 8.
- Is this trip escorted or do I travel on my own?
- It's a mix. Guided sightseeing tours are included for Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone's Loops, San Francisco, and Yosemite, but you have free time in Denver and San Francisco and you transfer to the station on your own on day 7.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers 25 accommodation options across Denver, Salt Lake City, West Yellowstone, and San Francisco, including the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver, The Crawford Hotel, The Peery Salt Lake City Downtown, and the Hilton Salt Lake City Center, among others.
- Is the itinerary seasonal?
- Yes. The Rocky Mountain National Park tour and the Yellowstone Lower Loop tour run in season; the Lower Loop specifically runs during the summer months and is substituted with the Old Faithful Explorer Tour in winter.
- How much walking or hiking is involved?
- Day 9 sets aside 2.5 hours to hike in Yosemite Village, and the full-day Yellowstone Lower and Upper Loop tours involve a lot of time outdoors.
