Discover 5 U.S. National Parks on an Unforgettable 13-Day Train Tour

Here's how to see the American West in style.

Stacey Leasca

Mon, August 1, 2022 at 6:24 PM UTC

3 min read

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Embark on a luxurious adventure to explore five stunning U.S. national parks in just 13 days.
The train journey includes unique experiences such as a float trip on the Snake River and vintage bus tours.
Enjoy comfortable accommodations and all-inclusive rail travel with the chance to see spectacular landscapes.

Vacations by Rail invites you to take the slow route to see a few of America's most beautiful national parks. The vacation company is well-known for its delightful trips by train across the globe. One of its most popular journeys is a 13-day trip through the American West, ideal for travelers who want to visit five stellar national parks along the way.

The America's Great National Parks tour begins at Chicago's Union Station, where guests will board Amtrak's Empire Builder train. After settling into their accommodations, they'll take the overnight train to the first official stop at Glacier National Park . Guests will then have two days to explore the park, home to awe-inspiring terrain including over 25 glaciers, more than 130 lakes, and 200 waterfalls. From East Glacier Park, guests can visit Going-to-the-Sun Road and cross the Continental Divide during a vintage open-air Red Jammer bus tour. Those staying nearby in Whitefish have free time to explore the area as well.

From there, the journey continues to Yellowstone National Park . There, guests will get the chance to tour the famed Upper and Lower Falls, as well as other popular sites like Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, the Fountain Paint Pots, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Next, you'll travel to Grand Teton National Park for a float trip along the scenic Snake River. On the water, guests can view the glorious Teton mountain range and maybe spot a few bison, elk, and moose in the wild.

After two nights in Jackson Hole , Wyoming, and Salt Lake City, Utah, the trip concludes with a visit to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. There, guests can enjoy views of gorgeous natural arches, red rocks, and incredible, colorful sunsets. They'll also spend time in nearby Dead Horse Point State Park , another scenic Utah spot.

The price of the trip includes all rail travel, hotel accommodations for 12 nights (including one night aboard the Empire Builder Amtrak train, three nights at Glacier Park Lodge or Grouse Mountain Lodge, and two nights in Yellowstone National Park), guided excursions, national park entrance fees, and several meals.

Pricing for the 13-day trip starts at $6,495 per person (based on double occupancy) in 2026. Check the Vacations by Rail website for the latest schedules and details on future journeys.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure

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