America's Great National Parks

Your westward journey begins as you arrive at Chicago's Union Station and join your Tour Manager and fellow travelers in boarding Amtrak's Empire Builder for an overnight trip. Step aboard and find your onboard accommodation, then settle in for a route through the Midwest and toward Big Sky Country in Montana. Each mile away from the iconic Chicago station allows anticipation for the postcard-perfect views that lie ahead. From the soaring mountain peaks and ancient ice sheets of Glacier National Park to the unique sandstone formations of Arches National Park - and all the fantastic cities and unique destinations in between - there is much to see in America's West.

Should travelers wish to depart from Seattle or points in between, they may do so and meet the Tour Manager and group upon arrival 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.

Travelers staying in East Glacier Park will board a vintage open-air Red Jammer bus mid-morning for a tour of Glacier National Park. The journey 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.

Those guests with accommodations in Whitefish will instead have the day at leisure to explore the town and its surroundings. This mountain town is filled with life and brimming with things to do. Sample your way through the local restaurants or peruse art in the galleries and shops that line the streets. Downtown Whitefish is incredibly walkable, with Whitefish Lake City Beach, Whitefish River, and more connected to the bustling district by walking trails. Plenty of hiking trailheads are also nearby, giving you the option of city amenities or nature's bounties. Overnight East Glacier Park or Whitefish, MT.

• Breakfast, Dinner

East Glacier Park vacationers begin their day with a trip to the Many Glacier region of the park, where incredible views of the Lewis Range beckon. Many Glacier features a large lake - Lake Sherburne - and a historic town dating to the early 1900s. Proceed through the region's lush meadows and colorful valleys, and relish seeing Glacier National Park from a different perspective as you set out on a lake cruise. A box lunch will be provided at Many Glacier Lodge, a historic Swiss-style chalet on Swiftcurrent's shores, and the afternoon is yours to continue exploring at leisure.

If you are instead staying in Whitefish, the activities for your day are dictated by your departure date. Some departures will venture along Going-to-the-Sun Road in a vintage Red Jammer Bus, crossing the Continental Divide and marveling at sweeping views of glaciers, mountains, valleys, and wildlife. The tour also includes a boxed lunch at the historic Lake McDonald Lodge and a scenic cruise on the emerald-hued water of Lake McDonald, departing from Lake McDonald Lodge aboard the historic DeSmet, built in 1930. Continue exploring the park, its plentiful hiking trails, and beautiful lakeshores at leisure following the excursion. 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

Your journey concludes after breakfast today.  A group transfer to Grand Junction Amtrak Station or Grand Junction Airport will accommodate trains departing after 9:00am and planes departing after 12:00pm.

• Breakfast