You can ride toward Montana aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder, tour Glacier National Park in a historic Red Bus, and see Yellowstone’s geothermal sights—all on the same vacation.
And you won’t have to drive between the parks.
Great Rail Journeys’ America’s Great National Parks is a 13-day escorted vacation with one included overnight train journey, followed by motorcoach travel and hotel stays.
For Tennessee travelers, three decisions need separate planning: reaching Chicago, choosing your train accommodation, and getting home from Colorado.
How the Tour Works
The itinerary starts at Chicago Union Station on Day 1 and ends in Grand Junction, Colorado, on Day 13.
You meet your Tour Manager in Chicago, board the westbound Empire Builder, and spend one night aboard before arriving in Montana.
Motorcoach transportation then connects Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, and Canyonlands national parks. The itinerary also visits Dead Horse Point State Park, a separate Utah destination.
The operator organizes the route, accommodations, and excursions, with free time and some meals left to you. Travel to Chicago and home from Grand Junction is separate unless expressly added to your booking.
If you’re comparing this vacation with a shorter outing, Tennessee also offers historic steam train excursions from Chattanooga.
The 2027 Itinerary
Days 1–2: Chicago to Montana
The Empire Builder follows the Mississippi River corridor before crossing the northern plains toward Montana.
Much of Day 2 is spent aboard before your hotel transfer. Your Glacier-area base may be Whitefish or East Glacier, depending on the departure.
Days 3–4: Glacier by Red Bus and Boat
Glacier sightseeing includes Lake McDonald, a historic Red Bus excursion featuring Going-to-the-Sun Road, and a Many Glacier lake cruise. A free afternoon follows the cruise.
Travelers leave the driving to the tour’s transportation providers.
Road access is seasonal. The National Park Service’s Going-to-the-Sun Road guidance says there is no fixed opening date over Logan Pass; the full route typically opens by early July. June travel does not guarantee access to the entire road.
Days 5–6: Yellowstone
Day 5 involves a substantial motorcoach journey toward Yellowstone via Helena and Quake Lake.
The following day lists Hayden Valley, Artist Point, Paint Pots, and Old Faithful, combining canyon scenery with geothermal sights.
Wildlife sightings and geyser timing are not guaranteed.
Days 7–8: Grand Teton and the Snake River
The route continues past Lewis Falls into Grand Teton National Park, with Jackson Lake Lodge on the itinerary before your Jackson stay.
Day 8 includes a guided Snake River float in an inflatable boat and a free afternoon. Ask about boarding requirements and alternatives if uneven footing or boat access could be difficult.
Days 9–10: Salt Lake City to Moab
These travel-focused days include the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, an overnight stay in Salt Lake City, and onward travel through Spanish Fork to Moab.
Expect considerable motorcoach time. An independent evening in Moab comes before the final park visits.
Days 11–13: Arches, Canyonlands, and Colorado
Day 11 includes guided sightseeing in Arches and a free afternoon. References to famous arches do not establish that the group completes the full Delicate Arch or Landscape Arch trails. Ask which walks and viewpoints are included.
Day 12 visits Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point before continuing to Grand Junction for the final overnight stay and dinner.
The package ends after breakfast on Day 13. Confirm the final transfer arrangements before booking your onward journey.
2027 Departures and Seasonal Conditions
The operator’s 2027 schedule lists 11 departures:
- June: 24 and 27
- July: 8 and 15
- August: 4, 18, and 25
- September: 3, 9, 12, and 15
An advertised departure does not guarantee an available roomette or bedroom.
June requires flexibility around Glacier’s road access. July and August bring longer daylight, but Utah can be extremely hot. The National Park Service’s summer heat guidance warns that temperatures at Arches and Canyonlands regularly exceed 100°F, making even short walks demanding.
September can bring cooler Yellowstone nights, early snow, or reduced seasonal services. Ask what alternatives apply when weather prevents an excursion.
What the Tour Costs
On October 26, 2026, the July 8 departure was listed at $5,699 per person, based on two people sharing. The tour’s lowest advertised price was $5,499 per person after a $400 savings.
Two adults: $5,699 × 2 = $11,398 before extras.
Other departures were listed as high as $6,799 per person, based on two sharing. Promotions change often and can depend on two travelers booking together, so check the current offer before you book.
These are dated examples, not guaranteed booking rates. Solo pricing requires a quote, as do private-room upgrades.
Obtain one itemized written quote covering your departure, accommodation, hotels, meals, transfers, mandatory charges, deposit, payment deadline, cancellation terms, and insurance requirements. Confirm promotion eligibility.
What’s Included—and What Costs Extra
The advertised core package includes Empire Builder coach seating, itinerary transportation, a Tour Manager, guided excursions, national park entrance fees, hotels, and selected meals.
Budget separately for Tennessee connections, the Colorado return, additional hotel nights, uncovered meals, coach-class train food, private-room upgrades, insurance, gratuities, baggage handling, and personal spending.
Private-room upgrades include onboard meals for that train segment, not every meal throughout the vacation.
Three published details need clarification: the daily itinerary totals 11 hotel nights and one train night, while the inclusions summary says 12 hotel nights; the meal summary lists 11 breakfasts, one lunch, and two dinners, while Day 9 also describes a chuckwagon lunch; and the final airport-transfer description conflicts with the general exclusions. Have these reconciled in your booking documents.
Insurance is excluded, and the booking terms require adequate travel protection.
Joining the Tour from Tennessee
Memphis and Northwest Tennessee
Amtrak’s City of New Orleans connects Memphis and Newbern-Dyersburg with Chicago.
The October 24, 2026 timetable gives these northbound examples. All times are Central:
- Memphis: departs 10:45 p.m.
- Newbern-Dyersburg: departs 12:28 a.m.
- Chicago: arrives 9:15 a.m.
These are October 2026 schedule examples, not confirmed 2027 timings. Newbern’s after-midnight departure requires particular attention to the boarding date.
Arrive in Chicago the previous day, whether traveling by train or plane. The hotel night provides rest and avoids depending on a same-day arrival to meet the group.
Memphis passengers taking the overnight train may therefore leave Tennessee two calendar dates before Day 1.
Newbern has no checked-baggage service, so bring luggage you can manage as carry-on.
Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga
These cities have no direct Amtrak intercity departures.
Nashville has a listed Greyhound-operated connecting bus option to Chicago; confirm its date-specific schedule, pickup location, and ticketing.
Flying is another option. Include the airport transfer when comparing costs, and choose your Chicago hotel with Union Station in mind.
Returning from Grand Junction
Grand Junction is on Amtrak’s California Zephyr route to Chicago, where travelers can continue toward Memphis or Newbern-Dyersburg.
This return is outside the package and adds substantial travel time. Check schedules, connections, and any necessary hotel stay, then compare the complete rail journey with flying home.
Coach, Roomette, or Bedroom?
The base package advertises coach seating: you spend the train night in a seat without a private sleeping compartment.
A roomette has two seats converting into upper and lower berths, shared restrooms and showers, and included onboard meals.
A bedroom offers approximately twice the roomette’s space, upper and lower berths, and a private sink, toilet, and shower. Meals are included. Amtrak’s private-room guide explains the amenities.
Consider sleeping comfort, upper-berth access, and bathroom privacy. Any Tennessee-to-Chicago accommodation must be chosen and priced separately.
Physical Demands and Booking Terms
The operator rates this trip Mobility 3, “Comfortable Explorer.” Expect hills, uneven surfaces, sustained standing, motorcoach steps, train movement, and boat boarding. Elevation and heat can increase the effort.
Request a whole-trip accessibility assessment if needed. An accessible train room does not establish that every hotel and excursion will meet your requirements.
The booking terms exclude motorized scooters and personal physical assistance. They also describe a nonrefundable deposit and final payment at least 90 days before departure. Confirm the current conditions.
Before paying, check:
- Departure, train accommodation, and hotels.
- Corrected meal, overnight, and transfer inclusions.
- Total price and booking conditions.
- Required assistance or excursion alternatives.
What the Whole Trip Really Costs from Tennessee
The tour price is only part of the bill. Here’s a realistic estimate for two people traveling together, using the July 8 departure and prices found in late October 2026.
Tour: $11,398 ($5,699 per person, two sharing)
Getting to Chicago:
From Nashville, nonstop flights to Chicago often run under $200 one-way per person. Budget about $300 for two.
From Memphis, an Amtrak coach seat on the City of New Orleans runs roughly $100 per person. Budget about $200 for two. A roomette costs more.
Chicago hotel the night before: Chicago hotels average about $233 a night year-round, and June is the most expensive month at about $319. Budget about $300 for one summer night.
Flying home from Grand Junction: There are no nonstop flights to Nashville or Memphis. One-stop fares have recently started around $200 to $225 one-way, but $300 to $400 is a safer budget. Plan on about $700 for two.
Travel insurance: The booking terms require coverage, and comprehensive plans typically cost 4% to 10% of your prepaid trip cost. On a trip this size, that’s roughly $500 to $1,250 for two.
Estimated total for two from Nashville: about $13,200 to $14,000, or roughly $6,600 to $7,000 per person.
Estimated total for two from Memphis by train: about $100 less.
Still not included: meals the tour doesn’t cover, tips for your Tour Manager and drivers, train room upgrades, and spending money. Price your own dates before you book, since airfare and summer hotel rates can change quickly.
Is This Tour Right for You?
This trip makes the most sense for travelers who want to see five major national parks without driving, planning lodging, or navigating park logistics on their own. The tradeoff is time on a motorcoach, a fixed schedule, and a price that doesn’t include getting to Chicago or home from Colorado.
If you’d rather set your own pace, a self-planned trip on Amtrak’s Empire Builder with a rental car can cover similar ground, but you’ll handle every reservation, park entry, and long drive yourself.
Either way, price the whole trip from Tennessee, not just the tour, before you decide.
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