America's Great National Parks - 13 Days

Arrive at Chicago Union Station and board the Empire Builder. Settle into your onboard accommodations and prepare for your overnight rail journey. Travelers may elect to travel from Seattle or points in-between and meet your tour manager in Glacier National Park. Overnight train.

The Empire Builder continues its journey to East Glacier Park or Whitefish today. With more than 25 glaciers, over 130 named lakes, 200 waterfalls, and more than 1,000 different plant species, Glacier National Park promises breathtaking wonder. The evening is at your leisure to relax at your hotel. Overnight East Glacier Park or Whitefish, MT. 

Mid-morning, board a vintage open-air Red Jammer bus for a tour of Glacier National Park. The tour takes you along one of the most scenic roadways in the world, the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road across the Continental Divide. There is a stop at historic Lake McDonald Lodge for lunch on your own as well as time to explore the area. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore Glacier National Park. Overnight East Glacier Park or Whitefish, MT. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

The day begins with a trip to the Many Glacier region of Glacier National Park, which is surrounded by the tall peaks of the Lewis Range. Many Glacier features a large lake - Lake Sherburne - and a historic town that dates back to the early 1900s. Waterfalls, hiking trails, and lush meadows appeal to nature lovers. From Many Glacier, we board a boat for a tour of Swiftcurrent Lake and to marvel at the splendor of Glacier National Park. Animal sightings are common from the water. Lunch is served at Many Glacier Lodge, a historic Swiss-style chalet right on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake. There is free time to enjoy the scenery or hike around Many Glacier Lodge before returning to Glacier Park Lodge. Overnight East Glacier Park or Whitefish, MT. 

• Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, depart Glacier National Park for the scenic drive to Yellowstone National Park. Our route takes us through Lewis and Clark country, into Madison Canyon Gorge and past Quake Lake into Yellowstone National Park's West Entrance. Overnight Yellowstone National Park.

• Breakfast

Spend the day exploring America's first National Park, Yellowstone, on a guided tour of the Park's most well-known attractions including the Upper and Lower Falls, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pots and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Overnight Yellowstone National Park.

• Breakfast

The morning we have a leisurely departure from Yellowstone National Park with a stop to view Lewis Falls before entering Grand Teton National Park with a picturesque landscape filled with towering mountains, sparkling lakes and an abundance of wildlife. Overnight Jackson, WY.

• Breakfast

After breakfast, embark on a float trip in Grand Teton National Park. As you float along the Snake River, admire the Teton mountain range, the glaciers that surround the forests, and wetlands in the Park. Keep an eye out for bison, elk, and moose! The remainder of the day is yours to visit the shops and restaurants in Jackson. Overnight Jackson, WY.

• Breakfast

Depart Jackson, this morning, stopping at the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho. Located at what was once the rest stop for pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail, this interpretive center gives you the opportunity to step back in time and experience pioneer life in the 1850's, including a simulated wagon train. Your journey continues to Salt Lake City, where you have the remainder of the day on your own to explore the city. Overnight Salt Lake City, UT.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day to sleep in or linger over morning coffee. Later this morning, we embark on the scenic drive from Salt Lake City to Moab, the gateway to two renowned national parks. Our route takes us through the grasslands of the San Rafael Valley. Overnight Moab, UT.

• Breakfast

After breakfast embark on a guided tour of Arches National Park, home to more than 2,100 rock formations of varying sizes and colors. Highlights of the park include Delicate Arch, the free-standing arch that is the symbol of Utah, and Landscape Arch, the world's longest natural arch. This afternoon is yours to explore the scenery around Moab and the Colorado River Red Rocks. Overnight Moab, UT.

• Breakfast

Today's excursion takes you to Canyonlands National Park for another spectacular day of scenery. This National Park showcases colorful canyons, mesas, and buttes along the Colorado River. Your day continues with a visit to Dead Horse Point State Park, offering stunning views from 2,000 feet above the Colorado River. Overnight Grand Junction, CO.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your journey concludes after breakfast today with a motorcoach transfer to Grand Junction Amtrak station for an optional return aboard the California Zephyr or to the Grand Junction Airport for flights departing after 1:00 pm.

• Breakfast