Amtrak Vacations
America Coast to Coast
Coast-to-coast Amtrak rail journey from New York City to San Francisco
15 daysfrom $2,669
40% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Yosemite to Yellowstone featuring Canyon Spirit
Independent rail vacation San Francisco to Chicago via Yellowstone and Canyon Spirit
Amtrak Vacations operates this 15-day, 14-night independent rail vacation across the American West, starting in San Francisco and ending in Chicago. The trip opens with a day trip to Yosemite National Park before travelers board the California Zephyr overnight through the snowcapped Sierra Nevada to Salt Lake City, where a narrated city tour covers the Great Salt Lake and Temple Square. After a shuttle to West Yellowstone and a full-day tour of the park's lower loop, travelers return to Salt Lake City to begin three consecutive days aboard the Canyon Spirit in Signature Class, passing Price River Canyon, the Book Cliffs, and the Colorado River on the way to Denver. An included excursion to Rocky Mountain National Park follows before an overnight Amtrak journey to Chicago, where two days of city sightseeing close out the trip. Because hotels are booked from a list of options across tiers and cities, this trip suits independent travelers who want an extended national park and rail circuit rather than a fixed group tour.
What to know before you look closer
- Amtrak Vacations lists 27 accommodation options across different tiers and cities for this trip; the specific hotel you get depends on which tier and city option is chosen.
- The Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone leg (day 5) and the return to Salt Lake City (day 7) are covered by shuttle and road transfer rather than train.
- The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Amtrak Vacations.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: San Francisco
Your Journey Begins in San Francisco
Your journey begins in San Francisco, the "City by the Bay." A short transfer will take you to your centrally located hotel. 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 2overnight: San Francisco
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
Travel to Yosemite National Park, where towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and scenic valleys await. Spend time exploring this breathtaking natural wonder before returning to San Francisco.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight On Board Amtrak®
Depart San Francisco this morning on Amtrak and enjoy a scenic journey to Salt Lake City. Travel on the California Zephyr® overnight through the snowcapped Sierra Nevada and through desert landscapes.
- Day 4railovernight: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Welcome to the "Crossroads of the West", Salt Lake City. Enjoy a narrated tour of the city that covers many popular sights, including the magnificent Great Salt Lake. Other tour highlights include the historic Old Union Pacific Train Depot and Temple Square, which features 35 acres of historic sights, exhibits, gardens, and restaurants.
- Day 5overnight: West Yellowstone
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park
This morning, hop on your included shuttle service 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. You have a full day of sightseeing ahead of you tomorrow!
- Day 6overnight: West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Yellowstone's lower loop. Highlights of this tour include Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, Isa Lake on the Continental Divide, and many more stunning landmarks. After your tour, you will have time to grab lunch on your own at the Old Faithful Village.
- Day 7overnight: Salt Lake City
Yellowstone to Salt Lake City
Today, take in the breathtaking views along the way as you take a relaxing drive back to Salt Lake City.
- Day 8railovernight: Moab
Salt Lake City to Moab (Canyon Spirit)
Today, depart Salt Lake City in the morning, onboard Canyon Spirit as you begin your three-day Rail Journey. You will travel past Provo, through the historic Thistle Tunnels, cross Soldier Summit, and descend the steep and scenic Price River Canyon. You will take in sweeping views of majestic rock formations of the Book Cliffs as you make your way into Thompson Springs, where you'll be whisked away from the train to the adventurous town of Moab with ample time to enjoy a sunset or have a meal from a local restaurant.
- Day 9overnight: Glenwood Springs
Moab to Glenwood Springs (Canyon Spirit)
Depart from Moab in the early afternoon and continue on board the Canyon Spirit. You will cross the Utah-Colorado border with stunning mountain views in the background before arriving in the resort town of Glenwood Springs.
- Day 10railovernight: Denver
Glenwood Springs to Denver (Canyon Spirit)
On the final leg of your Canyon Spirit rail journey, depart Glenwood Springs and enjoy breakfast and lunch as you take in sweeping views of rugged canyons and the Colorado River. Cross the Continental Divide and admire the majestic Rocky Mountains as the scenery unfolds spectacularly before arriving in the "Mile High City" of Denver.
- Day 11overnight: Denver
Denver (Rocky Mountain National Park)
Today, enjoy an included excursion to Rocky Mountain National Park. Travel through breathtaking alpine scenery, winding mountain roads, and expansive valleys. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as elk and bighorn sheep while taking in sweeping views of the Rockies. Return to Denver for an evening at leisure.
- Day 12overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight On Board Amtrak®
Enjoy a leisurely morning before making your way to Union Station Denver to board the overnight Amtrak California Zephyr® bound for Chicago.
- Day 13overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Arriving in Chicago in the afternoon, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore this iconic city. Perhaps stroll along the Magnificent Mile, take in views of Lake Michigan, or admire the city's world-renowned architecture.
- Day 14overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Continue to explore Chicago with your multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing city tour and head to any landmarks you did not get a chance to see yesterday. While you tour everything from underground streets to internationally acclaimed skyscrapers, the tour guides are excited to share their in-depth knowledge.
- Day 15rail
Your Journey Ends in Chicago
As you depart, you will carry with you unforgettable memories of breathtaking national parks and the remarkable experiences of your rail adventure.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A day trip from San Francisco visits Yosemite National Park's granite cliffs, waterfalls, and valleys.
- Day 3The California Zephyr crosses the snowcapped Sierra Nevada overnight on the way to Salt Lake City.
- Day 6A full-day tour of Yellowstone's lower loop stops at Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, and Isa Lake on the Continental Divide.
- Day 10The Canyon Spirit's final leg from Glenwood Springs to Denver passes rugged canyons and the Colorado River before crossing the Continental Divide.
- Day 11An included excursion to Rocky Mountain National Park passes alpine scenery and winding mountain roads, with a chance to see elk and bighorn sheep.
Included
- 12 nights' hotel accommodations; 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from San Francisco to Salt Lake City and to Chicago on the California Zephyr®
- Three-day journey aboard the Canyon Spirit in Signature Class
- Transfer(s) to Hotels from Airport(s) in both San Francisco and Chicago
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
- Yes. The package includes one-way Amtrak Coach travel on the California Zephyr from San Francisco to Salt Lake City and on to Chicago, plus a three-day journey aboard the Canyon Spirit in Signature Class from Salt Lake City to Denver.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- Amtrak Vacations classifies it as an independent rail vacation. A few stops include guided excursions, such as the Salt Lake City city tour, the Yellowstone lower loop tour, and the Rocky Mountain National Park excursion, but travel between cities is on your own.
- Which trains are used on this trip?
- The California Zephyr in Coach class and the Canyon Spirit in Signature Class.
- What hotels does the trip use?
- Amtrak Vacations offers 27 accommodation options across different tiers and cities. Sample choices include the InterContinental San Francisco, the Fairmont San Francisco, and the Kimpton Alton Hotel in San Francisco, plus The Peery Salt Lake City Downtown and the Hilton Salt Lake City Center.
- How much walking does this trip involve?
- The trip includes guided city tours in Salt Lake City and Chicago and vehicle-based sightseeing tours of Yellowstone's lower loop and Rocky Mountain National Park, rather than hikes.
- How much does this trip cost?
- Amtrak Vacations prices this trip from $5,079 per person, in USD.
