Like many national parks, Yellowstone National Park is not near an Amtrak train station. However, if you’re willing to drive, take a shuttle, book a guided tour, or pay extra for an Amtrak vacation package that includes transportation, then this trip is a great adventure.
In this guide, learn about the best ways to reach Yellowstone from Amtrak.
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Table of Contents
Closest Amtrak Station
The closest Amtrak station to Yellowstone National Park is Salt Lake Central in Salt Lake City. The California Zephyr route stops there daily. From the city, drive time is just under five hours to the Yellowstone West Entrance (which is near the geysers).
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Transportation Options
Rental Cars
Downtown Salt Lake City Enterprise is the closest rental car office to the Salt Lake Central Station, just 11 minutes away if you’re walking. Pick-up service is available, but you’ll need to wait until the office opens before getting a car. View and compare car rental prices on Kayak.
The easier option is with Turo car rentals, as a car can potentially be left for you at the train station. You can then drive to a hotel for the night or start the drive to Yellowstone immediately after arriving.
Shuttle Bus
Don’t want to drive? Salt Lake Express has shuttle service from downtown Salt Lake to West Yellowstone. You’ll need to book lodging in West Yellowstone and a guided tour to the national park. The other option is to rent a car in West Yellowstone after you arrive, which gives you the option to stay inside the park (view park lodging).
Multi-Day Tours
Multi-day tours from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park are a great car-free way to visit the national park. One of the top-rated experiences is a five-day trip that includes sightseeing in Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, and Grand Teton National Park (view availability and prices).
Amtrak Vacations
If you prefer an all-inclusive train, hotel, and transportation package, book your Yellowstone trip through Amtrak Vacations.
Tips & Things to Know
- Some of the major cities where you can board the California Zephyr include Emeryville, Sacramento, Reno, Denver, Omaha, and Chicago. View all stations on the route.
- To reduce your train travel time, book a flight in one direction (before or after your Yellowstone visit).
- Unless you choose an Amtrak vacation, you’ll need to book a hotel room for at least one night in Salt Lake City on the day you arrive.
- If you are traveling east to Salt Lake City (toward Chicago), arrival time is in the middle of the night, so if possible, avoid this direction of travel.
- Westbound trains stop in Salt Lake City a little before midnight, so you’ll also need to stay a night in the city before continuing on to the national park. View places to stay near the Amtrak station.
- Book your campground or lodging inside Yellowstone Park well in advance as accommodation quickly sell out.
More Information
Photo by Siegfried Poepperl (Pexels)
Last updated March 2026
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