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NORTH AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS BY RAIL

North America’s National Parks by Rail
More than 90 government-protected Parks featuring spectacular scenery and wildlife throughout the United States and Canada.

Inside Track

Continent: United States, Canada

First U.S. National Park: Yellowstone National Park

First Canadian National Park: Banff National Park

Number of States and U.S. Territories with National Parks: 27

Number of Canadian Provinces and Territories with National Parks: 13

Currency US Dollar, Canadian Dollar

Time Zone Eastern to Pacific Standard Time

Popular Trains Amtrak’s California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Southwest Chief, and VIA Rail’s Canadian,Ocean, and Corridor trains

Vacations By Rail Packages to National Parks: 67

With more than 90 National Parks between them, the United States and Canada are brimming with protected land that showcases their country’s breathtaking beauty and regional charms. Steeped in history and proudly showcasing its natural attractions, National Parks are the cornerstone of many Vacations By Rail’s independent and escorted train vacations across America. From the United States’ storied western frontier to the majestic Canadian Rockies, a National Parks rail vacation is undoubtedly a trip of a lifetime.

Of North America’s 90+ National Parks, Vacations By Rail offers tours to 17 National Parks in the United States and 7 in Canada. Some of the most popular National Parks include:

Glacier National Park
Encompassing two mountain ranges, 25+ glaciers, more than 130 lakes, and 200 waterfalls, Glacier National Park has had its beauty on display for millions of years, but it was in 1891 when the Great Northern Railway crossed the Continental Divide and discovered the area’s natural attractions that put it on the map as a travel destination. Its best known as the keystone of the “Crown of the Continent” ecosystem and the Going-to-the-sun Road that travels over the Continental Divide.

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is the United States’ oldest National Park. It’s well-known for its geothermal activity, including an assortment of geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles. Its most famous natural attraction is Old Faithful followed by Mammoth Hot Springs, a complex of hot springs with multicolored algae-stained rocks.

Banff National Park
Established in 1885 to protect its hot springs, Banff was soon developed by the Canadian Pacific Railway to attract tourists and increase ridership on its trains. Must-see attractions include the Cave and Basin hot springs, which are the first hot springs discovered in the area, and Banff Upper Hot Springs located on Sulphur Mountain.

Jasper National Park
Located 180 miles north of Banff and connected by the Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park is the largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Established in 1930, the Park’s popular attractions include Spirit Island, located on Maligne Lake, and the Jasper Tramway, Canada’s highest and longest aerial tramway.

How to Get There
The most efficient and scenic way to travel to National Park’s throughout North America is by train. In Canada, VIA Rail’s Canadian and the all-daylight touring Rocky Mountaineer trains are two popular options. In the United States, Amtrak’s Empire Builder makes a stop right outside of Glacier National Park, and the Southwest Chief brings travelers a short distance from Grand Canyon National Park. Other popular Park’s in the United States are most accessible by combining rail travel with a car or motorcoach.

Entrance Fees
Nominal entrance fees start at US$12 / CA$9.80 per person and are required to enter a Park.

When to Go
The best time to visit National Park’s in the U.S. is the period from May to September when the weather is most reliable and travelers can take advantage of all of the many activities the Parks offer. The best time to visit National Parks in Canada depends on each traveler’s interests as the Park’s are havens for winter sports as well as summer activities.

Trains to National Parks
The most popular trains to North America’s National Parks include:

The Canadian travels three times per week between Toronto and Vancouver, cutting across five provinces and past immense forests, pristine lakes, tranquil prairies, and the majestic Canadian Rockies.

The Rocky Mountaineer is a scenic daylight touring train that travels along a historic train route through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies. Travelers will be awed by the breathtaking scenery along four distinct train routes.

The Empire Builder travels daily between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail. Enjoy magnificent views of the mighty Mississippi, and the beautiful Pacific Northwest as you travel across the northern plains.

The Southwest Chief travels daily from Chicago through the storied American West to Los Angeles. The train cuts across the mighty Mississippi River, chugging alongside wheat fields and offering travelers a glimpse of spectacular landscapes and pristine vistas—views which can only be seen by train travel.

The California Zephyr travels daily between Chicago and San Francisco, through the plains of Nebraska to Denver, across the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and on through Reno and Sacramento into Emeryville/San Francisco. Enjoy magnificent views of the Rocky and Sierra-Nevada mountain ranges, deep canyons, and glistening lakes as your train speeds towards the shores of the Pacific.

The Ocean travels from Montreal to Halifax daily through small villages on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River into the Matapédia Valley and south across New Brunswick to Halifax.

The historic Royal Canadian Pacific train carriages were built between 1916 and 1931 and have since been restored in their classic style to provide a luxurious rail journey through the Canadian Rockies that harkens on days gone by. Well-appointed private rooms on the train combine with world-class cuisine, impeccable onboard services, and extraordinary off-train sightseeing to create truly memorable luxury rail vacation.

Vacations By Rail & National Parks
Vacations By Rail offers an assortment of rail vacations to National Parks throughout the U.S. and Canada including:

In the United States:

America’s Beautiful West By Rail
America’s western frontier is on display on this 14-day escorted rail tour.

Trains: Amtrak’s Southwest Chief and California Zephyr
National Parks: Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park
Additional Highlights: Las Vegas, Muir Woods, San Francisco, Salt Lake City
Departure Date: September 9

In Canada: