Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast - LA to Boston
Independent coast-to-coast US rail trip on four Amtrak trains, LA to Boston
10 daysfrom $1,809
100% rail
Amtrak Vacations
Wonders of America by Rail
10-day Amtrak and self-drive trip across five Western national parks
Amtrak Vacations runs this 10-day, 9-night rail and road trip from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, taking in five national parks. Day 1 leaves Los Angeles's Union Station on the Southwest Chief, with an overnight onboard, before the Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers on to the South Rim on day 2 for two nights, including a free day to explore viewpoints on their own. A rental car then covers the drive past Lake Powell to Zion, on to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, and back to Grand Junction, where the California Zephyr continues to Salt Lake City. From there, travelers transfer to West Yellowstone for a full-day sightseeing tour of the park's Lower Loop before returning to Salt Lake City, where the trip ends. Hotels in Salt Lake City and Yellowstone are chosen from a list of options, and only one breakfast is included along the way. It suits travelers who want to combine named long-distance trains with a self-driven national park road trip.
What to know before you look closer
- Hotels in Salt Lake City and Yellowstone are chosen from a list of options (five hotels are listed for Salt Lake City, six lodges and cabins for Yellowstone), so the exact property depends on what you book.
- Only 1 meal, a single breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant in Williams, Arizona, is included across the whole 10-day trip.
- The middle section of the trip (Lake Powell, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks) is covered by a 3-day rental car, not by train; only the legs into Williams, Arizona and from Grand Junction to Salt Lake City are on Amtrak and the Grand Canyon Railway.
- The Yellowstone sightseeing tour is seasonal: the Lower Loop Tour is substituted with the Old Faithful Explorer Tour in winter, and the evidence lists no specific departure dates to confirm which version applies.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Los Angeles
Welcome to Los Angeles! Travel on your own to Union Station, one of the city's most iconic gems, and board Amtrak's Southwest Chief to Williams, Arizona. Onboard, you'll catch glimpses of the fabled American West from the Observation Car.
- Day 2railovernight: Grand Canyon's South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The train arrives in Williams, Arizona, famous for being the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon." Enjoy an included breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant and browse the gift shop before boarding the Grand Canyon Railway to the awe-inspiring South Rim. Highlights include Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Desert View, and Hermit's Rest.
Meals: B
- Day 3overnight: Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
A free day to explore any viewpoints not yet visited and capture more memories away from the crowds.
- Day 4overnight: Springdale
Lake Powell and Zion National Park
Transfer to Flagstaff in the morning and pick up your included car rental. Travel close to the shores of Lake Powell and over the Glen Canyon Dam. In Zion, experience 200 miles of picturesque trails, vistas, vermillion cliffs, canyons and more.
- Day 5overnight: Moab
Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks
Continue from Springdale to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks en route to Moab. Highlights en route to Bryce Canyon include hoodoos, bristlecone pine trees, and views from Sunrise, Sunset, and Inspiration Points. Capitol Reef features mesmerizing cliffs, hidden arches, sandstone domes and deep canyons.
- Day 6overnight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Travel back to Grand Junction this morning, return your rental car, and board the California Zephyr to Salt Lake City, journeying through Utah's striking desert landscapes.
- Day 7overnight: West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone
Transfer to West Yellowstone in southern Montana from Salt Lake City. Check into your hotel and get to know the gateway to Yellowstone National Park.
- Day 8overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Yellowstone's Lower Loop, including Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, and Isa Lake on the Continental Divide.
- Day 9overnight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Transfer back to Salt Lake City from West Yellowstone. Enjoy free time strolling through the city's lively downtown streets.
- Day 10
Your Journey Ends in Salt Lake City
Trip concludes in Salt Lake City.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Southwest Chief travels overnight from Los Angeles's Union Station toward Williams, Arizona, with glimpses of the American West from the Observation Car.
- Day 2The Grand Canyon Railway carries travelers on to the South Rim, with sightseeing at Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Desert View and Hermit's Rest.
- Day 4The drive to Zion National Park passes close to the shores of Lake Powell and over the Glen Canyon Dam, reaching 200 miles of trails, vistas and vermillion cliffs.
- Day 5The route to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks passes hoodoos and bristlecone pine trees, the viewpoints at Sunrise, Sunset and Inspiration Points, then Capitol Reef's cliffs, hidden arches and sandstone domes.
- Day 8A full-day sightseeing tour covers Yellowstone's Lower Loop, including Old Faithful Geyser, the historic Old Faithful Inn, and Isa Lake on the Continental Divide.
Included
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Los Angeles to Williams; Grand Junction to Salt Lake City on the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr
- One-way service in Coach accommodations on the Grand Canyon Railway
- Transfer from Grand Canyon to Flagstaff
- 3 day compact car rental from Flagstaff to Grand Junction
- 8 nights hotel accommodations; 1 night onboard Amtrak
- 1 meal included (1 breakfast)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel is included from Los Angeles to Williams and from Grand Junction to Salt Lake City on the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr, plus one-way service on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It combines both: travelers make their own way to Union Station on day 1, and days at Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef are covered by a self-driven rental car, while the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone each include a sightseeing tour.
- Which trains are used?
- The Southwest Chief (Los Angeles to Williams), the Grand Canyon Railway (Williams to the Grand Canyon's South Rim), and the California Zephyr (Grand Junction to Salt Lake City), all in Coach class.
- What hotels are used?
- Named hotels include Yavapai Lodge at the Grand Canyon and the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand; Salt Lake City and Yellowstone each offer a choice of several listed hotels or lodges.
- How much walking is involved?
- Day 3 is a free day to explore Grand Canyon viewpoints on your own, Zion is described as having 200 miles of trails, and Yellowstone's Lower Loop is covered by a full-day sightseeing tour; no hikes or high-altitude activity are described as part of the package.
- What meals are included?
- Just 1: a breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant in Williams, Arizona, on day 2.
