Amtrak Vacations
Grand Mountain Peaks and The Grandest Canyons
Rail and road trip from Denver to LA through seven national parks
13 daysfrom $3,169
30% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Rail vacation
Peaks to Pacific Journey Roundtrip from Chicago
13-day roundtrip rail journey from Chicago to San Francisco and Yosemite
Amtrak Vacations runs this 13-day, 12-night roundtrip rail journey from Chicago, Illinois, to San Francisco, California, and back, with stops in Denver, Salt Lake City, and near Yellowstone National Park along the way. The trip opens with an overnight ride on the California Zephyr from Chicago to Denver, followed by two nights in Denver that include a full-day tour of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Zephyr then continues to Salt Lake City for a guided city tour past the Great Salt Lake and Temple Square, and a shuttle leads to two nights near Yellowstone for a full-day tour of the lower loop. Day 8 is another overnight train leg to San Francisco, where two nights include a day at Yosemite National Park with time to hike in Yosemite Village. The return trip is a two-day ride on the Zephyr back to Chicago. Four nights in total are spent onboard the train, which suits travelers who enjoy long-distance rail travel as much as the destinations.
What to know before you look closer
- The hotel list includes 31 accommodation options across different tiers and cities, from the Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, so the specific hotel you get depends on which tier and city option you choose.
- The Rocky Mountain National Park tour is seasonal, running late May to late September on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday; a Denver Highlights Tour is offered when it is unavailable.
- The Yellowstone Lower Loop tour is also seasonal; in winter months it is replaced with the Old Faithful Explorer Tour.
- On day 8 you transfer to the Salt Lake City station on your own before boarding the overnight California Zephyr to San Francisco.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the train today for your overnight journey from Chicago to Denver on the California Zephyr. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and of course, incredible views!
- Day 2overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Welcome to Denver! Located 5,280 ft above sea level, Denver, or the "Mile-High City" offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and is the perfect place to start your Peaks to Pacific journey.
- Day 3overnight: Denver
Denver, CO
Today you will experience the majestic splendor of the Rocky Mountains on an exhilarating full-day sightseeing tour of Rocky Mountain National Park. Your admission to Rocky Mountain National Park is included.
- Day 4railovernight: 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 5railovernight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Welcome to the "Crossroads of the West" or as locals call it, Salt Lake City. Enjoy a guided sightseeing city tour of Salt Lake that covers many popular sights, including the magnificent Great Salt Lake, the historic Old Union Pacific Train Depot and Temple Square.
- Day 6overnight: 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 7overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of the lower loop of Yellowstone National Park. Highlights include Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, Isa Lake on the Continental Divide, and many more popular sights.
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, you will take a relaxing drive back to Salt Lake City on board your transfer. Transfer on your own to the station and board Amtrak's California Zephyr to San Francisco.
- Day 9overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Arrive in San Francisco at the Emeryville station, where you will board your included motorcoach transfer for a short trip across the bay to San Francisco. The famous Fisherman's Wharf is a great place to start.
- Day 10overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
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 11railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the train this morning for your return journey on the Zephyr back to Chicago. Spend two relaxing days onboard the train enjoying all the views you may have missed on the way!
- Day 13
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1An overnight ride on the California Zephyr from Chicago to Denver.
- Day 3A full-day guided tour of Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Day 7A full-day tour of Yellowstone's lower loop, including Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, and Isa Lake on the Continental Divide.
- Day 10A day at Yosemite National Park with 2.5 hours of free time to hike, shop, and eat in Yosemite Village, after views of the San Francisco sunrise while crossing the Bay Bridge.
- Day 11A two-day overnight return ride on the California Zephyr from San Francisco back to Chicago.
Included
- Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Denver, Denver to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City to San Francisco on the California Zephyr®
- 8 nights' hotel accommodations; 4 nights onboard Amtrak
- Roundtrip transfers between Salt Lake City and West Yellowstone
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Amtrak Vacations includes roundtrip Coach travel on the California Zephyr from Chicago to Denver, Denver to Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake City to San Francisco and back, with 4 nights spent onboard.
- Do I sleep on the train?
- Yes, across four nights onboard: the outbound Chicago to Denver leg, the Salt Lake City to San Francisco leg, and two nights on the return journey from San Francisco to Chicago.
- 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, Salt Lake City, Yellowstone's Lower Loop, and Yosemite, but you transfer to the station on your own on day 8 and explore San Francisco on your own after arrival.
- What hotels are used?
- The package offers 31 accommodation options across Chicago, Denver, and Salt Lake City, including the Palmer House, the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, the Kimpton Gray Hotel, and the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver, among others.
- Is the itinerary seasonal?
- Yes. The Rocky Mountain National Park tour runs late May to late September on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, and the Yellowstone Lower Loop tour is substituted with the Old Faithful Explorer Tour in winter.
- How much walking or hiking is involved?
- Day 10 sets aside 2.5 hours to hike in Yosemite Village, and full-day sightseeing tours at Rocky Mountain National Park, Salt Lake City, and Yellowstone involve a lot of time outdoors.
