Ithy - An Unforgettable Autumn Rail Journey: Cleveland to Yellowstone and the Redwoods

Highlights of Your Cross-Country Rail Adventure

Seamless Cross-Country Travel: Your journey begins in Cleveland, connecting you to the wonders of the American West via Amtrak's extensive network, minimizing the hassle of driving.
Majestic National Park Exploration: Experience the geothermal marvels of Yellowstone National Park and the awe-inspiring grandeur of the ancient Redwood forests, each offering unique natural beauty in October.
Charming Bed & Breakfast Stays: Enhance your adventure with cozy and unique overnight experiences, including potential train-themed B&Bs, adding a touch of personalized comfort and local charm to your trip.

Embarking on a train journey from Cleveland, Ohio, to explore both Yellowstone National Park and the Redwood forests in California during October offers a unique and memorable way to experience the diverse natural beauty of the United States. This itinerary focuses on leveraging train travel for a significant portion of the cross-country transit, combining it with local transportation, charming Bed & Breakfast accommodations, and dedicated time for national park exploration. While no direct train service connects Cleveland to these parks, strategic connections via Amtrak's national network, particularly the California Zephyr route, allow for a scenic and relaxing journey. October is a fantastic time to visit both locations, offering cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and the possibility of beautiful fall foliage in certain areas surrounding Yellowstone before winter sets in.

Charting Your Rail Journey: Cleveland to the West

Your grand adventure begins in Cleveland, a key Amtrak station. Traveling from Cleveland to the Western national parks, particularly Yellowstone and the Redwoods, involves a multi-leg journey primarily utilizing Amtrak services. The most common route to the West from Cleveland involves connecting through Chicago. From Chicago, the California Zephyr is a popular choice for heading towards the Mountain West and eventually California.

Departing from Cleveland

Cleveland's Amtrak station offers connections that will begin your westward trek. While Cleveland itself has local rail services like the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, your long-distance journey will be via Amtrak. Be mindful of baggage allowances: Amtrak generally permits two personal items and two carry-on bags for free, with options for additional checked luggage.

Navigating the Initial Leg: Cleveland to Chicago

The first segment of your journey will likely take you from Cleveland to Chicago. This leg typically involves a direct Amtrak train or a connecting service. From Chicago, you'll transfer to a train heading west, such as the California Zephyr, which travels through stunning landscapes towards Salt Lake City and eventually California. The train ride from Chicago to Salt Lake City is approximately 35 hours, offering ample opportunity to relax and enjoy the scenery.

A vast landscape of Yellowstone National Park with geysers and distant mountains under a dramatic sky.

Yellowstone's captivating geothermal features and expansive landscapes await your exploration.

Yellowstone National Park: A Geothermal Wonderland

Yellowstone National Park, America's first national park, is a natural wonder boasting geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, lakes, canyons, and unspoiled forests. While there isn't an Amtrak station directly within Yellowstone National Park, the primary gateway by rail is Salt Lake City, Utah.

Reaching Yellowstone from Salt Lake City

Upon arrival in Salt Lake City via the California Zephyr, you'll need to arrange onward transportation to Yellowstone. Amtrak Vacations and other tour operators often provide packages that include shuttle service or car rentals from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone, which is a major gateway town to the park. The shuttle service from downtown Salt Lake to West Yellowstone typically costs around $78 each way. It's crucial to book your accommodations within or near Yellowstone well in advance, especially since October can still be a popular time for visitors enjoying the late fall season.

Exploring Yellowstone's Marvels

During your stay in Yellowstone, plan to explore its iconic attractions. These include the famous Old Faithful geyser, the vibrant Grand Prismatic Spring, the majestic Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Wildlife viewing is a highlight, with opportunities to see bison, elk, and potentially bears. Given the park's vastness, having a rental car or utilizing guided tours once inside is highly recommended for efficient exploration. Many areas are best experienced by driving between viewpoints and then taking short walks.

Bed & Breakfast Stays Near Yellowstone

For a more intimate and unique lodging experience, consider staying at Bed & Breakfasts in towns surrounding Yellowstone, such as West Yellowstone, Gardiner, or Cooke City, Montana. These B&Bs often offer personalized service, home-cooked breakfasts, and valuable local insights. However, in October, some establishments might begin to close for the winter season, so confirming availability beforehand is essential.

Transitioning to the Redwoods: California's Ancient Giants

After immersing yourself in the wonders of Yellowstone, your journey continues westward to the majestic Redwood forests in California. The transition will involve returning to Salt Lake City to re-board the California Zephyr, continuing your rail journey towards the San Francisco Bay Area.

Train Travel to the Redwoods Region

There is no direct train service into Redwood National Park. The closest major Amtrak station to the Redwood National and State Parks is in Klamath Falls, Oregon, which is approximately 178 miles away. A more practical approach for travelers coming from the east is to take the Amtrak California Zephyr to the San Francisco Bay Area (e.g., Emeryville or Martinez). From there, you'll need to arrange a rental car or bus service to reach the Redwood National and State Parks. The drive from the Bay Area to the Redwoods can be scenic, taking several hours.

Experiencing the Redwood Forests

Once in the Redwood region, prepare to be awestruck by the towering ancient trees. Options for experiencing the redwoods include:

Redwood National and State Parks: Explore various trails, drive scenic routes like Newton B. Drury Parkway, and marvel at the sheer scale of the trees. Remember that a rental car is highly recommended for exploring this expansive park system.
Roaring Camp Railroads: Located near Santa Cruz, this offers a unique experience aboard an 1890s authentically preserved steam train. The Redwood Forest Steam Train chugs up switchbacks through towering redwood groves to the summit of Bear Mountain. This offers a fantastic "train in the redwoods" experience, though it requires a separate journey south of the main Redwood National Park area.
Skunk Train: In Mendocino County, the World-Famous Skunk Train provides a magical ride through old-growth redwood groves, over trestle bridges, and into the Noyo River canyon. This offers a different, but equally captivating, redwood train experience.

This video showcases an exciting steam train ride through incredible redwoods, offering a glimpse into the unique experience you can have. It highlights the beauty of the redwood forests and the charm of vintage train travel within them, making it highly relevant to your journey.

Bed & Breakfasts Amidst the Giants

The Redwood region offers numerous charming B&Bs, often nestled in smaller towns like Eureka, Arcata, or Crescent City. Staying in a B&B provides a cozy retreat after a day of exploring the magnificent forests. Some unique accommodations even offer converted train cars as guest suites, like the "Belle Plain Caboose" or a "Real train car in historic Virginia City, NV," which could add a truly memorable, train-themed touch to your trip if located conveniently to your redwood exploration plans.

A person stands on a trail looking up at immense redwood trees, their size emphasized by the human figure.

Experience the majestic scale of the Redwood National and State Parks.

Optimizing Your Train & B&B Experience

To make the most of your train and B&B itinerary, consider these practical tips and additional travel options.

Planning and Booking

Booking your train tickets and B&B accommodations well in advance is highly recommended, especially for October travel when demand for national park visits remains strong. Amtrak offers multi-segment tickets, and exploring Amtrak Vacations packages can simplify planning, as they often combine rail travel, hotels, and sometimes tours or car rentals.

Luggage and Comfort on the Train

For long train journeys, pack essentials in a carry-on for easy access. While Amtrak coach seats offer generous legroom and electrical outlets, upgrading to a sleeper car provides a private room, more space, and the comfort of a bed, making the cross-country travel more relaxing. Dining cars and cafe cars are available for meals and snacks onboard.

Unique Train and Stay Experiences

Beyond traditional B&Bs, consider unique train-themed accommodations. For instance, the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad offers "America's only moving bed & breakfast train" in Spooner, Wisconsin, providing an overnight adventure with meals included. While not directly on your route to Yellowstone or the Redwoods, such experiences can be added as distinct, memorable parts of your overall rail travel adventure, perhaps on a separate trip or as a unique detour.

This radar chart illustrates the strengths of different travel modes for your Cleveland to Western National Parks journey, highlighting how a train and B&B itinerary balances comfort, scenic value, and unique experiences. The values are conceptual and reflect the perceived benefits of each aspect for a cross-country trip.

Comparative Analysis of Travel Segments

Understanding the various legs of your journey and their characteristics is key to a smooth trip. The table below provides a comparative overview of the typical durations, estimated costs, and main operators for the key segments of your Cleveland-to-Yellowstone-to-Redwoods train and B&B itinerary.

Journey Segment	Typical Duration	Estimated Cost Range (One-way)	Primary Operators/Connections	Notes
Cleveland to Chicago	~5-8 hours	$30 - $100+	Amtrak (Capitol Limited or connecting services)	First leg of the cross-country journey.
Chicago to Salt Lake City (for Yellowstone)	~35 hours	$150 - $400+	Amtrak (California Zephyr)	Scenic route through varied landscapes; sleeper car options available.
Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone (Ground Transfer)	~4-5 hours	$70 - $100+ (shuttle); Rental car varies	Salt Lake Express (shuttle); Rental car companies	No direct train to Yellowstone; crucial ground link.
Salt Lake City to San Francisco Bay Area (for Redwoods)	~16-20 hours	$80 - $250+	Amtrak (California Zephyr)	Continues the scenic route from SLC to California.
San Francisco Bay Area to Redwood National Park (Ground Transfer)	~5-7 hours drive	Rental car varies; Bus service options	Rental car companies; Regional bus services (e.g., Redwood Transit System from Arcata)	Closest Amtrak station in Klamath Falls, OR, but SF Bay Area is a more common transfer point.
Specialty Redwood Trains (e.g., Roaring Camp, Skunk Train)	1-3 hours (excursion)	$30 - $80+ per person	Roaring Camp Railroads; Skunk Train	Local, scenic excursions within the Redwood region, separate from long-distance Amtrak.

The table above highlights that while long-distance train travel provides a comfortable and scenic backbone for your journey, the "last mile" to the national parks often requires supplementary ground transportation. Costs are estimates and can vary significantly based on booking time, class of service, and specific routes chosen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I really travel to Yellowstone and the Redwoods by train from Cleveland?

Yes, you can! While there isn't a direct train to the park entrances, you can use Amtrak's extensive network to reach gateway cities like Salt Lake City for Yellowstone and the San Francisco Bay Area for the Redwoods. From these cities, you'll connect via shuttle services, rental cars, or local buses to reach the parks themselves.

What is the best time of year to visit Yellowstone and the Redwoods by train?

October is an excellent choice for both parks. In Yellowstone, you'll experience cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and the possibility of fall foliage. For the Redwoods, October offers pleasant weather for hiking and exploring without the peak summer crowds. However, always check specific park conditions and opening hours as some services might begin winding down for the winter.

How long does the train journey from Cleveland to these national parks typically take?

The total travel time will be substantial. The train journey from Cleveland to Salt Lake City can take around 35 hours. From Salt Lake City to the Bay Area, it's another 16-20 hours. When factoring in transfers, buffer times, and ground transportation to the parks, plan for several days of travel each way, making it a true cross-country adventure.

Are there "train and B&B" packages available for these destinations?

While there aren't typically direct "train and B&B" packages bundled for this specific multi-park itinerary, companies like Amtrak Vacations, Vacations By Rail, and Railbookers offer comprehensive rail vacation packages that include train tickets, hotels, and sometimes tours or car rentals. You can often customize these packages or book your train travel separately and then select B&Bs for your overnight stays in gateway towns.

What are the best options for getting around Yellowstone and the Redwoods once I arrive by train?

For both Yellowstone and the Redwood National and State Parks, a rental car is highly recommended for maximum flexibility and exploration. While some shuttle services exist in Yellowstone and limited public transport near the Redwoods, these parks are vast and best explored with your own vehicle. For Yellowstone, shuttle services like Salt Lake Express connect Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone.

Conclusion

A train and B&B itinerary from Cleveland to Yellowstone and the Redwoods in October offers an unparalleled way to experience the vastness and natural beauty of the United States. While requiring careful planning due to the multi-leg nature of the journey and the need for ground transportation to the parks, the comfort and scenic grandeur of cross-country train travel provide a truly unique vacation. From the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone to the majestic ancient redwood groves, coupled with the charm and personal touch of Bed & Breakfast accommodations, this trip promises a memorable autumn adventure that combines epic landscapes with relaxed, intimate stays. By embracing the journey as much as the destinations, you'll create a rich tapestry of travel memories.