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Rockies to the Red Rocks Yellowstone & Grand Teton Explorer

 
You are viewing the 2026 itinerary. Select your departure year
20262027
Duration
8 days
From per person
$5,945
Tour code
RV-YGTW-26
View Dates & Pricing
View Dates & Pricing
Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
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From the mountains of Colorado and Utah's deserts and the sweeping landscapes of Wyoming and Montana, uncover unbridled beauty on a journey featuring Canyon Spirit

A journey of wonders bookended by the Rockies, this week-long trip paints a vivid picture of the American Southwest and West. Travel in luxury aboard Canyon Spirit from Denver to Glenwood Springs, Moab and Salt Lake, setting out by daylight only with a remarkable perspective on the changing scenery.

Arriving in Salt Lake City, the journey continues by coach as you follow stunning routes wrapped in natural grandeur. Stay in Jackson Hole, where you visit Grand Teton National Park, before driving to West Yellowstone and, finally, arriving in beautiful Bozeman.

Unforgettable Experiences

Stay in popular Southwest towns
Stay in popular Southwest towns
While traveling aboard Canyon Spirit, enjoy overnight stays in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, the state’s adventure capital, with free time to explore each before rejoining the train.
Relax with a lakeside lunch at Bear Lake
Relax with a lakeside lunch at Bear Lake
Situated on the Utah-Idaho border, Bear Lake is a year-round haven for activities and is often called the “Caribbean of the Rockies” for its brilliant blue water and sandy beaches.
Uncover Grand Teton National Park
Uncover Grand Teton National Park
From soaring, snow-capped mountains to glacier-fed lakes surrounded by evergreens, savor the best views of Grand Teton National Park from the comfort of your motorcoach.
Drive through the heart of Yellowstone National Park
Drive through the heart of Yellowstone National Park
Witness spectacular examples of geothermal activity, beautiful lakes, powerful waterfalls and imposing mountain peaks as your route weaves through Yellowstone National Park.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1Arriving in the Mile High City

With little-seen views of four states ahead, your Canyon Spirit vacation begins today in Colorado's capital city, Denver. As you arrive, transfer independently to your conveniently located hotel and check in for the night. You are then free to get to know this vibrant city, which, while modern, hints at the wild spirit of the Southwest, at your own pace.

Downtown Denver has plenty of shops to explore, including those of the 16th Street Pedestrian Promenade, home to everything from candy shops to hat stores. The culinary scene in the city is vast and diverse, with unique restaurants peppering the streets. With no planned dinner this evening, you could try some local specialties, including game dishes, or visit a local brewery to sample the famous craft beers for which Denver is known. Overnight Denver.

DAY2Boarding the luxurious Canyon Spirit

With an early start this morning, join an included transfer to Denver's rail station, where Canyon Spirit awaits. The train's hosts welcome you aboard for this epic adventure, and after settling into your seat, you can begin to watch Colorado's scenery unfold as breakfast is served.

Sit back and relax with a selection of included alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and enjoy the stories of your train car's hosts as the train crosses the Continental Divide and follows along the Colorado River. The panoramic windows reveal views of rugged canyons, emerald forests and the staggering peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

Lunch is also served onboard before Canyon Spirit pulls into the station in the charming town of Glenwood Springs later this afternoon. After transferring to the hotel, you might like to wander amidst the historic buildings downtown, exploring the shops and restaurants. Overnight Glenwood Springs.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY3Into the deserts of Utah

Transferring back to the station this morning, reboard Canyon Spirit for another day of exceptional scenery. Enjoy breakfast as the train sets underway, and savor your final glimpses of the Rockies - for now - as you begin heading toward Utah.

Evergreen trees and hidden lakes dot the landscape, and mountaintops loom in the backdrop. Before you know it, the terrain begins to flatten and the forests that were once so lush become further and further apart. Terracotta hues and craggy rock formations begin to overtake the vistas, and eventually, Canyon Spirit finds itself amongst the red rocks of Moab, Utah's adventure capital. With such a dramatic change in the views today, this is the perfect time to get an open-air perspective from the Dutch door at the back of your rail car.

On arrival in Moab this afternoon, an included transfer takes you to your downtown hotel, and then you have the rest of the day to unwind, find dinner at one of the eclectic local restaurants or start exploring the colorful surroundings. Overnight Moab.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY4To Utah’s capital city

Weather permitting, the sunrises in Moab are spectacular, as the golden sun illuminates the desert scenery. If you wake early, you might like to admire the views while wandering downtown. There are plenty of places to enjoy breakfast, though you could also peruse the shops and galleries before you are transferred back to the station later this morning.

Rejoining Canyon Spirit for the final leg of its journey to Salt Lake City, the train passes through the Book Cliffs, weaves through Castle Gate and then eventually navigates Price River Canyon. Hints of greenery and mountains return to the panoramas as Canyon Spirit approaches the ascent to Soldier Summit in the Wasatch Mountains and then passes through the Thistle Tunnels. A late lunch and dinner are served before you arrive at the end of the line in Salt Lake City this evening. Overnight Salt Lake City.

Includes
  • Lunch, Dinner
DAY5Into the mountains via Bear Lake

The second part of your adventure, and your third state, awaits today as a coach meets you at your hotel to begin the drive to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After breakfast, step aboard and take your comfortable seat for a road trip to remember.

Rather than traveling directly, your driver follows a scenic course that presents beautiful mountain views and captivating waterside vistas. A highlight of the journey comes around lunchtime, when the coach pauses at Bear Lake on the Utah-Idaho border. This lake is often called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its brilliant blue water and sandy beaches, and we step off the coach on its scenic shores to have a relaxing lunch.

Back on board, proceed toward Kahuna Overlook, where sweeping views of the Teton Range and Snake River are sure to impress. The final miles of the route are wrapped in similar beauty as the coach approaches Jackson Hole. After checking into your hotel, you have the remainder of the afternoon and evening to get acquainted with the charms of this cowboy town. Overnight Jackson Hole.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY6Stunning scenes of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks

The American West is filled with truly jaw-dropping scenery, and even more of it lies as you reboard the coach after breakfast. The day's journey begins amidst the mountainous landscapes of Grand Teton National Park. Venture past colorful, glacier-fed lakes, and keep your eyes peeled for animals roaming through pristine nature, all with a backdrop of the stately Grand Tetons.

Continuing into Montana and Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park, a world of geothermal activity, mountains, wildlife and wonders awaits. Some of the park's most iconic features include Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring; however, there is much to see as your driver takes you into the heart of the park. Your lodgings for the night are in beautiful West Yellowstone, where, upon checking in, you are free to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Overnight West Yellowstone.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY7Through Yellowstone to Bozeman

Find yourself enchanted by the vast wilderness of Yellowstone as your final day on the road begins. Home to more than 2.2 million acres of protected land, Yellowstone National Park is a haven in the truest sense of the word. Watch for animals like bison, elk, moose, bears and wolves as the driver takes you to some of the park's top attractions. Highlights of today's route include Norris Geyser Basin, Tower Falls, Mammoth Hot Springs, and, of course, the Rocky Mountains.

The coach stops in Gardiner, where you have free time to stretch your legs and have lunch, and then the journey proceeds to the final destination: Bozeman. This artsy college town is brimming with culture and things to do, yet it is surrounded by some of the most impressive views in the West, thanks to the surrounding Rockies. Arriving early this evening, you can check into your hotel before enjoying a free evening to explore. Overnight Bozeman.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY8Tour conclusion

Majestic mountain ranges, colorful desertscapes and picturesque parklands framed every moment of this unforgettable journey through the Southwest and West. Beginning on board Canyon Spirit, traveling from Denver to Salt Lake City via Glenwood Springs and Moab, you reveled in an immersive environment of storytelling and local flavors. The trip then continued by coach, which allowed you to get another perspective on the landscapes as you explored Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. After a week of scenic travel, the journey ended in the Rockies, where it began - just much further north in the eclectic mountain town of Bozeman.

Your vacation comes to a close this morning upon checking out of your hotel. You are free to begin your travels home, or if you want more time to experience Montana's offerings, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights.

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Trains

See more details about this tour's trains.

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Canyon Spirit
Canyon Spirit

Formerly known as Rocky Mountaineer, Canyon Spirit is America's answer to a modern luxury train. Canyon Spirit follows epic routes through Colorado and Utah, presenting wild expanses of mountains, canyons and deserts. As the first of its kind in the lower 48, this route treats travelers to all the luxury that has become synonymous with Rocky Mountaineer during a three-day, daylight-only route. Enjoy onboard storytelling and dedicated care from onboard hosts and incredible cuisine inspired by the regions through which the train travels. Domed-glass windows, open-air viewing pavilions and reclining seats mean you never miss a moment of jaw-dropping scenery in the Southwest.

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Enhance your holiday

Elevate Your Adventure

Extend your stay

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Vacations By Rail would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.

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