Destinations USA This 13-day Train Trip Will Take You to 5 National Parks Across the U.S. See the American West in style. By Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on August 1, 2022 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, but one of its most popular journeys is its 13-day trip through the American West to visit five stellar national parks along the way. Andrew Wong/Getty Images The trip begins at Chicago's Union Station, where guests will board Amtrak's Empire Builder train and settle into their accommodations. They'll take the overnight train to the first official stop at Glacier National Park. Guests will have time to explore the park, hike through its awe-inspiring terrain, and see its 25 glaciers, hundreds of lakes, and flowing waterfalls. And in the mid-morning, guests will take a vintage open-air Red Jammer bus for a tour of the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road while they cross the Continental Divide. Jonathan W. Cohen/Getty Images From there, the journey continues to Yellowstone National Park. At the park, guests will get the chance to tour its famed attractions, including Upper and Lower Falls, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pots, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Gerald Corsi/Getty Images The trip next takes guests to Grand Teton National Park for a float along the Snake River. On the water, guests can view the glorious Teton mountain range and maybe even spot a few bison, elk, and moose along the way. Jim Ekstrand/Getty Images The trip concludes with a visit to Utah to see both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, where guests can enjoy the gorgeous natural arches, red rocks, and incredible, vibrantly colorful sunsets. Getty Images The trip includes all rail travel, hotel accommodations for 12 nights (including four nights at Glacier Park Lodge or Grouse Mountain Lodge and two nights inside Yellowstone National Park), excursions and national park entrance fees, and all meals on board the train when guests upgrade to private sleeping accommodations. The 13-day trip begins at $5,695 per person (double occupancy). There are still a few spots left for the June departure, but for more flexibility, check out its 2024 calendar, which includes departures June through September. This 'Winter Magic' Train Ride Takes You Through Canada's Snowy Wilderness in 9 Epic Days