
Colorful views of New England in the Fall
Oct 14, 2025 · By Rob Payne
Experience New England’s colorful fall foliage with our great range of escorted tours, exploring the White Mountains, Cape Cod and Maine.
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America's national parks were born of the idea to protect the country's natural wonders for all to enjoy. The country's first national park, Yellowstone, was established in 1872; today, the United States is home to 63 national parks, each showcasing spectacular treasures. Great Rail Journeys offers nearly 50 vacations by rail packages that highlight these fantastic destinations, allowing you to visit one or more national parks on a well-connected route.
A visit to Yellowstone brings fumaroles, geysers and sparkling lakes, whereas in Yosemite, towering ancient trees paint a lush scene against stoic mountains. Arches National Park brings soaring sandstone arches and colorful rock formations, while Grand Canyon National Park offers breathtaking vistas of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. See the tallest mountain in the United States, Denali, in Alaska's Denali National Park, or the sprawling scenes from Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Whether traveling by train on one of our escorted tours, embarking on a rail-drive expedition, or joining a cruise vacation, each itinerary reveals America's many natural wonders.

The "Crown of the Continent" - located in Montana's Big Sky Country - was the 10th declared national park to conserve the beauty of the ice glaciers.

This Alaskan National Park boasts plenty of outdoor activites throughout the year from dog sledding to hiking to river rafting.

Sandstone arches and burnished red rocks across 119 square miles make Arches the Southwest's most beautiful and popular national park.

The largest canyon in the world with UNESCO World Heritage Site distinction, located in Arizona and stretching over 277 miles.

Yellowstone became the first national park in 1872 after rumors spread of a place where boiling water erupts from the ground.

Known for its iconic waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is located in California and offers a variety of activities from fishing to horseback riding.

Located in Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park covers almost 36,000 acres of land and is known for its rock formations called "hoodoos."
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Discover the beauty of the Southwest in autumn on this memorable vacation featuring national parks, historic rail journeys and the world-famous International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Travel on the iconic California Zephyr to Grand Junction and view the breathtaking landscapes of Arches and Mesa Verde National Parks, before riding the...







The classic ambiance of an overnight rail journey meets the splendors of one of America's top natural attractions on this rail vacation to Arizona. Join Amtrak's Southwest Chief on its cross-country route from Chicago to Flagstaff, and then board the 120-year-old Grand Canyon Railway on its route to the Grand Canyon. Uncover iconic views...







Uncover scenic landscapes and quintessential sights of Alaska on this seven-day independent journey featuring the Denali Star. Travel from Anchorage to Talkeetna, where a jetboat takes you along the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers, and then embark on a tundra wilderness tour in Denali National Park, with an expert guide revealing the best...





Discover the natural wonders and rugged wilderness of the Southwest on this scenic rail tour through Canyon Country. This tour has it all: amazing national parks, classic train journeys, and spectacular sightseeing and excursions. Your adventure begins in Chicago with a classic rail journey aboard the legendary California Zephyr to Grand...





Discover five beloved national parks on this 13-day escorted tour through the West. Start with a classic overnight rail journey aboard the Empire Builder, following the pioneer route into Big Sky Country. Experience a float trip down a winding river, drive through Glacier National Park on an open-top Red Jammer bus and cruise across a...







Your two-night stay is in the heart of the unspoiled natural attractions and stunning beauty Glacier National Park. Wondrous displays of nature, historic lodges, and sightseeing through the forests and valleys of this complex ecosystem are highlights of your stay before returning by train to Chicago.





Nine unforgettable days showcase the Last Frontier's wild beauty on this expertly guided vacation. Uncover Fairbanks on a riverboat trip and meet sledding dogs, then ride Alaska Railroad's legendary Denali Star. Marvel at North America's tallest mountain and its incredible wildlife in Denali National Park and Talkeetna, before continuing...







There is no place quite like the Alaskan wilderness. This corner of North America is a unique place where culture-filled destinations are carved into landscapes that remain virtually untouched otherwise. Gorgeous scenery marked by glaciers, snowy mountain ranges, fjords, pretty coastlines, and wide-open expanses is always within reach, and...





Seek the magical aurora borealis on a sensational winter journey from Fairbanks to Anchorage, riding the amazing Aurora Winter Train in the shadow of Denali. An evening in the wilderness provides a great chance to catch the Northern Lights, while an exciting dog-sled ride through the snow-covered tundra and a curling lesson help uncover the...





Set your sights on amazing scenes of America's West with visits to six national parks on this unforgettable rail tour. The journey begins on Amtrak's Empire Builder, aboard which beautiful vistas of the Northern Prairies create the serene backdrop for the start of our trip. Our first visit is to Whitefish, where Glacier National Park's...





Set out on an adventure into the vast and rugged landscapes of the northwestern United States on this week-long vacation. Crossing the country on Amtrak's Empire Builder, arrive in East Glacier for days spent amidst Montana's wild scenery, fresh mountain air and stunning destinations. Uncover the "Crown of the Continent" from multiple...
For a unique vacation in the USA, visit one or more of these national parks by train. Some of the country's most popular parks, such as Glacier National Park and Grand Canyon National Park, are situated along iconic rail routes that offer daily service to these must-see destinations. Other parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Teton, and Arches, are easily accessible by bus, car or motorcoach. Perfect for families, for seniors and for adventurers of all walks of life, national park vacations take many forms.