Amtrak is known for providing riders with a glimpse of some of America's most beautiful landscapes, such as the coasts and mountains visible from its reportedly most scenic line—the Coast Starlight—which travels along the Pacific coast. However, Amtrak is more than just a way to see America's flyover country en route to big cities. Its trains can also transport you into the heart of America's National Parks. These Amtrak stations are your direct link to hiking, wildlife spotting, and the great outdoors.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Amtrak's Empire Builder train route between Chicago and Seattle/Portland includes stops inside Montana's Glacier National Park. Riders have several station options, including Whitefish, an unstaffed station called West Glacier, and East Glacier Park Station, which is serviced seasonally from mid-spring until mid-fall.
Depending on where you alight from the train, you can walk directly to nearby accommodations or catch a hotel shuttle. The website Amtrak Guide lists the Whitefish station as the best station overall, citing its proximity to rental cars and accommodations, some of which offer shuttle services.
If you want to avoid renting a car, your best option is to time your trip for when the East Glacier Park Station is open. From there, you can walk a short distance to the Glacier Park Lodge or take a shuttle. Tour options into the park are available directly from the lodge.
NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK
On the other side of the country, Amtrak's Cardinal train route between Chicago and New York includes stops inside West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park. 3 unstaffed stations—Hinton, Thurmond, and Prince—offer riders access to this park.
If you don't want an extended stay, these stations can be easily used for a day trip. Whether you're a local or visitor to Charleston, West Virginia, you could catch the morning train east to Hinton, West Virginia, arriving just before lunch. After a day of exploring, you could ride the evening train back west right after dinner, giving you nearly six hours to explore the Downtown Historic Area.
HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK
As Amtrak's Capital Limited line from Chicago nears its terminus in Washington, D.C., it passes through Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
The train stops at a historic wood-frame depot designed in the 1890s. The depot is part of Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, along with various museums covering the Civil War. Once visitors have had their fill of history, 20 miles of hiking trails beckon.
The most popular outdoor spot has to be the Point. The Point marks the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. From here, visitors can see the Potomac cutting its way through the Blue Ridge Mountains and three states—West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.
INDIAN DUNES NATIONAL PARK
Michigan City Station in Indiana is just two miles from Indian Dunes National Park. This stop is on Amtrak's Michigan Services line, just outside Chicago.
Arriving in Indiana, visitors can head to fifteen miles of sandy beach along the southern shore of Lake Michigan or get right to hiking the dunes and the surrounding 50 miles of trails.
The most popular hike is the 3 Dune Challenge, which takes you over three dunes and up 553 vertical feet. Get information on this trek and the general area at the visitor center.
