Amtrak Empire Builder Route for Thru-Hiking

Train travel’s having a moment across America. In 2025, a record 34.5 million people rode an Amtrak train, a 5.1 percent jump from the previous year, according to our latest stats. It’s easy to understand why: no fussing with TSA lines, no hunting for parking, and a more relaxed experience overall. While most folks ride the train to arrive at a final destination, fewer take the train as a means to hop off and adventure along the journey. No route makes the case for it better than The Empire Builder. This is one of the country’s most legendary and historic routes. It follows the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, traveling through cities, national parks, and forests of the Pacific Northwest between Chicago and Seattle. The two-day trip rides rails that hug the Mississippi River bluffs, roll across the wide-open prairies of North Dakota and Montana, climb into the high-alpine terrain of the Rockies, and wind through the canyons of the Cascades.

A non-stop Amtrak ride along the Empire Builder Route takes three days and two nights. But it’d be a miss not to hop out and enjoy the trails that make this route more than just a scenic ride. All you need is your boots, a backpack, and a train ticket. Round-trip Amtrak fares for the Empire Builder Route average $600 for a Coach seat and upwards of $1,500 for a private bedroom in peak summer. Rates vary by season, and you can check current fixtures for specific departure times and availability.

Here’s where to hop off and hike in every state along Amtrak’s Empire Builder route, heading east to west.

Chicago: The Outerbelt Thru-Hike

Departs: 3:05 p.m. Trail: The Outerbelt Trail type: Thruhike Mileage: 210 miles

Stretch your legs before your cross-country journey on a lesser-known thru-hike that starts in the heart of downtown Chicago. The Outerbelt, a 210-mile backpacking route that connects Chicago’s urban greenway of forest preserves, travels along a mix of paved trails, gravel paths, and single-track dirt trails. Hikers can camp at a mix of Cook County campgrounds like the lakeside Camp Bullfrog Lake and tree-engulfed Camp Shabbona Woods. Or, take advantage of this trail’s metropolitan adjacency. You can stay overnight in Airbnbs or hotels for a more glamping-forward thru-hike.

The Empire Builder train departs Chicago’s Union Station at 3:05 p.m. daily. So, consider ending your route’s loop downtown to begin your train trip west.

Wisconsin Dells: Devil's Lake and Ice Age Trail

Train arrives: 6:42 p.m. Trail area: Devil’s Lake and the Ice Age Trail Trail type: Day hikes or backpacking Mileage: 30-40 miles

Views from the train start in the Wisconsin Dells. Over 100-foot-tall sandstone cliffs, pine-filled forests, and the tannin-tented caramel waters of the Wisconsin River characterize the Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area. Sure, you’ll find your fair share of waterparks and tourist attractions here. However, it’s worth hopping off the train to explore the wilder side of Wisconsin. This hiking spot is even in view from the train window when you pull up to the stop in the heart of the Dells.

The best way to hike the Dells is piecing together scenic day hikes. Favorites include hiking to the river’s edge through quiet pine forest on the just-under-two-mile Chapel Gorge Trail. There’s also the short but stunning hidden slot canyon trail at Witches Gulch. It winds through towering sandstone walls draped in moss. For a more rugged adventure, order a rideshare down to Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin’s most-visited state park. Soak in the view atop the famous quartzite bluffs at East Bluff Trail. You can also go long-distance on the Ice Age Trail.

Minnesota: Mississippi River Bluffs

Train arrives: 8:34 p.m. Trail area: Perrot State Park and Great River Bluffs State Park Trail type: Day hikes Mileage: 30+ miles

Day hikers will find a plethora of paths to explore in Perrot State Park and Great River Bluffs State Park off the Winona, Minnesota, Amtrak stop. Much of the early Minnesota section of the Empire Builder route (heading west) follows the edge of the Mississippi River. Before the train continues, hikers can explore these bluffs. Wildflower season in Perrot State Park runs from March to May, featuring species like purple shooting stars and white Dutchman's breeches. The 3.5-mile Perrot Ridge to Brady's Bluff Loop summits two overlooks. Across the river, Great River Bluffs State Park offers the 2.5-mile King's Bluff Trail, which climbs 500 feet above the river. Rideshares are needed to reach these trailheads.

North Dakota: Little Missouri Badlands

The train arrives in Williston, North Dakota, at 11:59 a.m. This remote stop requires a car rental from Williston Basin International Airport to reach trailheads. The destination is Little Missouri State Park, 90 minutes away. The park contains over 45 miles of trail through rugged badlands terrain of buttes and coulees. The Lakota called this land "Mako Shika," meaning "bad land." The 6.9-mile Little Missouri Loop offers both grasslands and dramatic rock formations. Hikers should watch for golden eagles and rattlesnakes.

Montana: Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is the most scenic part of the Empire Builder route. The train arrives at East Glacier Park at 7:48 p.m. heading west, offering a sunset view. Visitors can head to Two Medicine, the park's quieter southeast corner, which has been a train stop since 1913. This area sees fewer crowds but offers significant hikes. For the latest on park conditions and trail closures, check our injuries page, which also tracks trail accessibility.

The East Side Shuttle, running from June through September from Glacier Park Lodge, provides access to Two Medicine Lake and St. Mary Village trailheads. From St. Mary, the National Park Service Shuttle travels the Going-to-the-Sun Road, with stops at multiple trailheads.

**Idaho: Sandpoint Trails**

The Empire Builder arrives in Sandpoint, Idaho, at 12:55 a.m. This single stop in the state's panhandle is tricky due to the early hour. Hikers planning to explore should plan an overnight stay. The stop is between two trailheads on Lake Pend Oreille: the unpaved, three-mile out-and-back Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail and the Sandpoint Trail. The Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail offers views of the Cabinet Mountains, which are particularly photogenic when larches turn gold.

**Washington: Cascade Mountains**

The final leg of the journey traverses the Cascade Mountains before arriving in Seattle. Hikers can consult our comprehensive standings for rankings of the best long-distance trails accessible from stations along the route, helping to plan the perfect endpoint for their adventure.