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Yellowstone & Grand Teton Winter Adventure

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4.3 stars(3 reviews)
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The undeniable beauty of America’s national parklands is only enhanced by winter’s snowy embrace on this memorable tour through the West, featuring time in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
10 days From $3,295 per person
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

2024 Tour code: RM-YLWA-24

About the tour

Western America's national parks are a joy to uncover any time of year, but something about the winter months adds another layer of peace and tranquility. Fewer visitors create an ideal environment for animals to explore their surroundings, and the soft snow veils tall mountains, evergreen forests, and endless valleys in a layer of white. It is magical. Experience these wonders while exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks alongside an experienced Tour Manager and a group of fellow travelers who, like you, crave the adventures only the West can bring.

Our journey begins in Chicago, where we board Amtrak's California Zephyr bound for Provo, Utah. On arrival, your first look at this rugged landscape comes aboard the historic Heber Valley Railroad. We continue north by coach from Utah, with our sights set on America's first national park, Yellowstone. Find yourself surrounded by the sheer beauty of Yellowstone's Upper and Lower Loops while embarking on two days of excursions aboard an all-terrain Snowcoach. Our journey continues from Yellowstone to the iconic cowboy town of Jackson, Wyoming. As the gateway to Grand Teton National Park, this town is ideally positioned for adventures in the town and the wild. A tour of Grand Teton's picturesque sites perfectly complements this cold-weather expedition. We continue by coach to Salt Lake City and enjoy a guided tour of the city's beautiful scenery and most notable sites in the colorful glow of the afternoon light. Skip hibernation this winter and, instead, discover what the West has to offer.

Highlights

Activity level Natural Explorer

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You don’t mind spending the day on your feet. You enjoy sightseeing that includes walking, standing or stair climbing. You’re okay with longer days that are more active, such as multiple sightseeing stops, longer motorcoach journeys and getting on and off ships and trains.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart Chicago aboard the California Zephyr

Arrive at Chicago Union Station and board Amtrak's California Zephyr. This beloved long-distance train follows a serene route through America's Heartland, venturing through Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska and into the rugged landscapes of Colorado and Utah on its way to the West Coast. Enjoy the changing scenery, made even more lovely by winter's hold, from your seat or the train's Sightseer Lounge before the sun sets over the tracks. Overnight train.

Day 2 – California Zephyr to Provo

Today's travels unveil incredibly scenic portions of the country. Look upon Colorado's Rocky Mountains, emerald forests, and mighty rivers, all powdered with snow. As the train follows its course, you may wish to socialize with fellow travelers in the Sightseer Lounge. Its floor-to-ceiling windows and swivel chairs are the ideal place for panoramic views of the passing scenery. This evening, the train arrives in Provo, UT, and we are transferred to our hotel upon disembarking the train. Overnight Provo, UT.

Day 3 - Heber Valley Railroad

Inspiring views of Provo Canyon, the Wasatch Mountains, and Utah's colorful landscapes are on display during our ride on the Heber Valley Railroad. This historical train's route was first implemented in the 1800s, providing an essential passage through Provo Canyon. Its slow pace through the difficult terrain earned it the nickname the "Heber Creeper," which the train retains to this day. Excellent photo opportunities abound during our leisurely adventure along the Provo River, with a special highlight coming as the Heber Creeper approaches Mount Timpanogos. While riding in fully restored historic cars, soak in the timeless atmosphere created by the landscape and the vintage train.

The remainder of your day is at leisure in Provo. Downtown is a fantastic place to explore on foot, with its historic buildings and plethora of art and activities. Provo is a thriving college town with a diverse culinary scene, plenty of inviting boutique shops, and excellent nightlife. There are art galleries and museums, including a paleontology museum at Brigham Young University. All of this is wrapped in a spectacular snowy mountainous backdrop that serves as a promise of the adventures to come. Overnight Provo, UT.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 – Scenic Drive to Yellowstone National Park

After breakfast at our hotel, we board our deluxe motorcoach for a road trip through Utah and Idaho to Yellowstone's West Gate. After checking into our hotel near the park, the rest of the day is free to enjoy the hotel's amenities, such as the indoor pool, or to explore the nearby offerings. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is within walking distance of our hotel and is a great place to learn more about the region's apex predators. Further downtown, there are numerous shops for art and souvenirs and restaurants highlighting the region's flavors. Overnight West Yellowstone, MT.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - Tour Yellowstone’s Upper Loop

The best way to explore Yellowstone National Park in the winter is aboard a Snowcoach. These climate-controlled buses traverse the rugged landscape on oversized off-road tires and provide beautiful views of the park's most stunning scenes. Today's Snowcoach excursion takes us to Yellowstone's Upper Loop. This tour is known as the Canyon Explorer and sets out atop the snow to unveil the beauty of Yellowstone's Grand Canyon. Look upon waterfalls, such as Upper and Lower Falls and Gibbon Falls. Other features include Beryl Spring, a natural hot spring, and the Madison River. The cold weather and snow keep many tourists out of the park, and, as such, wildlife roams more freely; keep your eyes peeled for wolves, bison, elk, and moose. Snowy evergreen forests and frozen waterways add to the natural splendor. Enjoy a boxed lunch while you soak in the pristine vistas. Return to the hotel following the tour with the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight West Yellowstone, MT.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 - Yellowstone’s Lower Loop Tour

Yellowstone transforms into a true winter wonderland during the cold months, and even more of its marvelous attractions await your discovery on today's Lower Loop Snowcoach tour. Our Lower Loop exploration is dubbed the Old Faithful Explorer for its most notable sight: the king of all the geysers, Old Faithful. While we drive along the snowy road of this part of the park, we enjoy glimpses at Madison Junction, Black Sand and Biscuit Basins, and the Fountain Paint Pot. The bus makes plenty of stops for animal spotting and photographs, and a boxed lunch is served. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure upon return. Overnight West Yellowstone, MT.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 - Travel to Jackson

We leave Yellowstone behind this morning and drive from Montana to the cowboy town of Jackson, Wyoming. This town is beloved as the gateway to Grand Teton National Park and embodies the West's adventurous spirit. We arrive in Jackson after just under three hours of driving and have the rest of the day to enjoy this cowboy town at leisure. A picture under the Antler Arch in Jackson Town Square is a must; during the winter months, it is illuminated with holiday lights. Visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art to see artwork inspired by local mammals or any of the bountiful art galleries to peruse lovely pieces of all mediums. Downtown Jackson houses a plethora of boutique stores and relaxing spas. There are plenty of diverse eateries to choose from, as well. If it is an adventure you seek, dogsledding, tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are great ways to experience the wintry landscape. Overnight Jackson, WY.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 8 - Grand Teton National Park

The gorgeous scenery of Grand Teton National is yours to behold on today's scenic drive. Take breakfast at the hotel in Jackson, then join the group on a deluxe motorcoach for a ride along highway 191 from Jackson to Flagg Ranch. The roads inside the park are closed during the winter. That said, some of the most impressive sights remain visible from the highway - even with snow topping them. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way, including a stop to take a picture with the Grand Teton National Park sign. Several overlooks - Jackson Lake, Willow Flats, and Snake River - and visitor centers, such as Colter Bay and Craig Thomas, make wonderful photo stops. We also marvel at the Chapel of Transfiguration and Oxbow Bend before returning to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring or relaxing as you please. Overnight Jackson, WY.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 - Salt Lake City Guided Tour

Enjoy breakfast at the inn before we join our motorcoach for the day's journey to Salt Lake City. Breathtaking scenes of the Utah Mountains and frosted forests guide the way south to Utah's capital city. On arrival, a guided tour introduces the city's beloved landmarks and historical sites. Places like Temple Square, the Utah State Capitol, the Mormon Trail, sites constructed for the winter Olympics, and the Deuel Pioneer Log Home are just some of the significant places your tour may highlight. Following the tour, you are welcome to continue exploring Salt Lake City on your own ahead of tonight's group dinner. Join your fellow travelers in toasting to an adventure of a lifetime at a local establishment. Overnight Salt Lake City.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Tour Conclusion

After indulging in some of the country's most ethereal winter scenes, we conclude our wintertime national park tour after breakfast. A group transfer to Salt Lake City's international airport accommodates flights departing after 11:00 a.m.

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa, Jackson

Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa, Jackson

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Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

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DoubleTree by Hilton Salt Lake City Downtown, Salt Lake City

DoubleTree by Hilton Salt Lake City Downtown, Salt Lake City

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Gray Wolf Inn & Suites, West Yellowstone

Gray Wolf Inn & Suites, West Yellowstone

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Train

Amtrak's California Zephyr

Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 3 reviews

  1. 5 stars
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  2. 4 stars
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  3. 3 stars
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  5. 1 star
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David Zebron

4 stars

Submitted 06 Feb 2023

This was our first Vacation by Rail trip, we have never taken a vacation with a tour guide. The correspondence before the trip was spotty and left us with many unknown answers. There were times we thought this was a shame, just taking our money. Come to find out it was the first winter trip, which explains the lack and infrequent communication. Meeting at Union Station was friendly and taking care of our luggage was great. I could not find in the literature sent to us that we were only allowed one suitcase each that would be taken to and from the coach by the hotel staff. If the staff is taking our luggage, why not take all our luggage stored beneath bus or put out by our hotel door. We were responsible for loading and unloading our own carry on to and from the bus when there was staff available to provide that service. Our personal items taken onto the coach and put in the overhead compartments should have been our only concern and responsibility, all other luggage should be handled by the tour. The train ride was very smooth, we traveled by coach and were not informed we would not have access to the dining car. The trip tour guide, Mary Klepper, was very informative and knowledgeable about the area and our stops along the way. She was willing to make changes in the itinerary along the way when the group requested extra time to visit the Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. The Wolf and Grizzly Discovery Center was mentioned in our itinerary, but there was no allotted or available time visit. The Lodges were very nice, a restaurant in each hotel would be suggested, especially for evening dining and the older clients. The roads and sidewalks were very icy and dangerous. The first meal included at Grouse Lodge was excellent, the departing meal at Bubba's was not very authentic to the area, felt like we were dining at a fast food chain. The Gun Barrel Restaurant, would have been a better choice for atmosphere, menu and history of area. The coach and driver were both pleasant. The coach was clean and spacious, but use of the restroom should not have been discouraged, that is one advantage of traveling by coach. Our driver Milan, could have been more accommodating, especially to the older passengers. He should have been the first off the bus to help with departing and stairs and the last on the bus, making sure all where aboard. There were early morning departures when the bus was very cold and had not warmed up to a comfortable temperature. We liked the small group and believe that made the trip more enjoyable. It would have been difficult to unload a large group in Yellowstone with most of the walks being snow and ice covered and using only outdoor restroom facilities at times would have taken a long time. Would be interested in future small group tours, not sure a large group of 30+ would be as enjoyable. Was nice to get to know all the people on the tour. Would highly recommend the tour. Margie and David Zebron

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MARJORIE COY PATE

5 stars

Submitted 01 Feb 2023

Mary Klepper was outstanding - we were well informed and all the accommodations were good.

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RODERICK BROWN

4 stars

Submitted 31 Jan 2023

Everything on train was overall good. Difficult to sleep on train and of course no views to observe at night. We had Roomette closest to bathroom and there was an odor as well as people slamming the bathroom door. We felt the train Roomette was too warm, understanding that is a personal preference.

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