Amtrak Vacations
Yellowstone to Yosemite featuring Canyon Spirit
Independent rail vacation Chicago to San Francisco via Yellowstone and Canyon Spirit
14 daysfrom $4,819
36% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Yellowstone to Yosemite by Rail – Teddy Roosevelt Trail
14-day rail trip from Chicago to San Francisco via Yellowstone and Yosemite
Amtrak Vacations' Yellowstone to Yosemite by Rail, the Teddy Roosevelt Trail version, is a 14-day independent rail vacation from Chicago to San Francisco, riding the California Zephyr one-way through Salt Lake City. Two days in Chicago include a river cruise past architecture from Mies van der Rohe and other noted architects and admission to the Skydeck Chicago, before an overnight train ride to Salt Lake City. From there, a shuttle reaches West Yellowstone for three nights and two full days of guided touring across the Lower and Upper Loops, taking in Old Faithful Geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Lake Yellowstone. The train continues on to San Francisco for a land and sea tour past the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, then a shuttle carries travelers to Yosemite National Park, following the Merced River toward the Sierra Nevada Mountains, for two more nights before a final night back in San Francisco. This longer itinerary suits travelers who want extra time in each stop rather than a faster pass through the same two parks.
What to know before you look closer
- The trip offers a choice of 25 hotels spanning multiple tiers, from the Holiday Inn Chicago Downtown to the Waldorf Astoria Chicago; which one you get depends on the tier and city selected at booking, and no specific hotel is named for West Yellowstone or Yosemite.
- Only one meal, a single dinner, is listed as included across this 14-day trip; all other meals are on your own.
- The Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone legs, and the San Francisco to Yosemite leg, are covered by included shuttle or coach, not by train, despite the trip being sold as a rail journey.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Chicago
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! Breeze into the "Windy City," and after you are all settled in, take some time to explore all this amazing city has to offer. Take a leisurely stroll down the Magnificent Mile, which offers world-class shopping, dining, and other great attractions. Discover the attractions at Millennium Park, or if you are a fan of music, check out one of the many famous blues clubs in the area.
- Day 2overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Continue to explore Chicago today. Take the included tour of the Chicago River and its architectural landmarks featuring experienced and entertaining guides recounting the dramatic story of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire of 1871 to become the home of the skyscraper and the cradle of modern American architecture. Along the one-hour route are buildings by world-famous architects including Mies van der Rohe, Skidmore Owings & Merrill and Helmut Jahn.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Use your included admission to the Skydeck Chicago today to see spectacular views of the city from 1,353 feet. Later in the day, travel to Chicago's Union Station and board Amtrak to Salt Lake City. Enjoy America's majestic landscapes as you travel on the California Zephyr® through the Great Plains.
- Day 4railovernight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Continue to take in the stunning views of Utah's Wasatach Mountains as you complete your train ride west to Salt Lake City. Upon your arrival in Salt Lake City, you will travel on your own to your hotel for a relaxing evening before your busy day tomorrow.
- Day 5overnight: West Yellowstone
Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone
Early this morning, hop on your included shuttle service that will take you to West Yellowstone. Yellowstone is widely held to be the first national park in the world and is home to the most impressive geothermal features in North America. After you arrive in the early evening, you can settle into your hotel for a good night's sleep.
- Day 6overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Over the next two days, enjoy full-day sightseeing tours of Yellowstone's Lower and Upper Loop. Highlights of the Lower Loop tour include Old Faithful Geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, Lake Yellowstone, the Old Faithful Inn, Isa Lake on the Continental Divide, and many more stunning landmarks. Highlights of the Upper Loop tour include Norris Geyser Basin, Virginia Cascade, Dunraven Pass and Tower Falls.
- Day 7overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Today, continue your Yellowstone adventure with another full-day tour, getting to explore the other part of the park not yet discovered. From dramatic waterfalls and scenic mountain passes to bubbling geysers and colorful hot springs, this second day offers a fresh perspective on the diverse landscapes and natural wonders that make Yellowstone so unforgettable.
- Day 8railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, take the leisurely ride back to Salt Lake City on the included transfer. This evening, you will head to the Amtrak Station on your own and board the train west to California.
- Day 9railovernight: San Francisco
San Francisco
Wake up on the train this morning and enjoy the captivating desert landscape views as you ride through Nevada and into California. After you check in at your hotel in San Francisco, the evening is yours to start exploring the "City by the Bay." Take a stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, breathe in the fresh ocean air, and sample the delicious local cuisine, like fresh seafood and crusty sourdough bread.
- Day 10overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco
Enjoy a land and sea guided tour of San Francisco today. At each stop, you'll have the chance to get off the bus and see the sights, then get back on at your leisure. Enjoy great views and visit famous attractions including the Golden Gate Bridge. Included in your tour is a bay cruise to complete your panorama of San Francisco from land and sea! After you sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, you'll circle Alcatraz and see every angle of this mysterious island.
- Day 11overnight: Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Journey by coach to Yosemite National Park today. The comfortable ride will kick off with breathtaking panoramic views of San Francisco as you cross over the Bay Bridge. The rest of your drive to Yosemite will offer stunning scenery as well as you follow the beautiful Merced River to the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Once you arrive to the Park, you'll have free time to explore on your own before checking in at your hotel. Gaze in wonder at the parks most iconic sights, including Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall and El Capitan.
- Day 12overnight: Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Enjoy a day at your leisure in Yosemite today, taking in more of Yosemite Village and other parts of the spectacular Yosemite Valley that you didn't get to see on your tour yesterday.
- Day 13overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco
Return to San Francisco today for a final night in the city.
- Day 14
Your Journey Ends in San Francisco
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2An included Chicago River architecture cruise recounts the city's rise from the Great Fire of 1871, passing buildings by architects including Mies van der Rohe.
- Day 3Included admission to the Skydeck Chicago gives views of the city from 1,353 feet before boarding the California Zephyr that evening for Salt Lake City.
- Day 6A guided tour of Yellowstone's Lower Loop takes in Old Faithful Geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, Lake Yellowstone, and Isa Lake on the Continental Divide.
- Day 10A land and sea tour of San Francisco includes a bay cruise past the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz.
- Day 11The drive to Yosemite National Park follows the Merced River toward the Sierra Nevada Mountains after crossing the Bay Bridge.
Included
- 11 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to San Francisco on the California Zephyr®
- Roundtrip shuttle transfer from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone
- Roundtrip shuttle transfer from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
- 1 meal included (1 dinner)
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel from Chicago to Salt Lake City and Salt Lake City to San Francisco on the California Zephyr is included, plus 2 nights onboard.
- Is it escorted or independent?
- It's listed as an independent rail vacation, with guided tours and cruises included in Chicago, Yellowstone, and San Francisco, plus a transfer to Yosemite.
- Which train is used?
- The California Zephyr, in Coach class, one-way from Chicago to San Francisco via Salt Lake City.
- What hotels are included?
- A choice of 25 hotel options across the trip's cities, including the Waldorf Astoria Chicago and the Peery Salt Lake City Downtown; no specific hotel is named for West Yellowstone or Yosemite.
- How many meals are included?
- One, a single dinner, across the full 14-day trip.
- How much does it cost?
- From $3,319 USD, about $237 per day.
