As national parks continue to battle congestion and overcrowding, train travel is emerging as a refreshing—and sustainable—alternative to road trips. Beyond eliminating the stress of long entrance lines and limited parking, rail routes to iconic parks offer a return to a slower, more scenic way of exploring “America’s best idea.” Whether it’s a historic railroad into the Grand Canyon or an alpine express to Glacier’s glacial peaks, these journeys prove the destination isn’t the only highlight.
Why train travel makes sense for park visits
Driving into national parks has become synonymous with summer frustration: long lines at entrance gates, full parking lots before 9 a.m., and the rising popularity of timed-entry reservations. For many popular destinations, the car simply isn’t cutting it anymore. Enter the train—an elegant, efficient, and underutilized solution.
Rail systems like Amtrak and regional heritage railways offer more than nostalgia. They can transport hundreds of people on tracks barely five feet wide, dramatically reducing vehicular traffic inside protected areas. Train travelers often bypass vehicle reservation systems and even gain access to trails and viewpoints that aren’t reachable by car. Add in the charm of panoramic windows, dining cars, and zero arguments about who’s driving, and the appeal is clear.
As train travel expert Sojourner White puts it: “It’s the rejection of hustle culture. You can relax and take a digital detox.” In an age of constant motion, riding the rails to nature’s crown jewels is an invitation to slow down.
Glacier National Park, Montana: Enter the alpine dream
Known as the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park in northern Montana attracts over 3 million visitors annually to its rugged peaks, glacial lakes, and the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road. Since 2021, the park has required a vehicle reservation during peak season, leaving many would-be visitors scrambling for alternatives.
But the rails have always been Glacier’s gateway. Trains have brought tourists here since 1892, and today Amtrak’s Empire Builder continues that legacy with stops at both East and West Glacier Park Stations. Complimentary shuttles connect visitors to the park’s internal transportation system, offering car-free access to alpine trails and scenic overlooks. The park’s historic link to the Great Northern Railway shaped not only its visitor experience but also its very designation in 1910. Riding the rails here isn’t just practical—it’s tradition.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: All aboard to the rim
With nearly five million annual visitors, the Grand Canyon is one of the most famous—and most crowded—national parks. Most visitors funnel through the South Rim’s main entrance, where two-hour waits are common during peak season. But there’s a better way in: the Grand Canyon Railway, which has been transporting guests since 1901.
Departing from Williams, Arizona, this 65-mile heritage route offers a whimsical, Wild West-themed journey through high desert and ponderosa pine before arriving directly inside the park. There’s even a staged train robbery for added flair. But make no mistake—this isn’t just a tourist gimmick; it’s a functioning, low-impact gateway to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
Visitors can reach Williams via Amtrak’s Southwest Chief from either Los Angeles or Chicago. Once in the park, the Grand Canyon’s free shuttle system provides access to rim trails, overlooks, and visitor centers, all without the stress of driving or parking.
Yosemite National Park, California: Leave your car, find your zen
Yosemite’s soaring granite cliffs and thundering waterfalls have captivated visitors for generations—but getting there can test even the most patient travelers. Long backups and overflowing parking lots are common during peak months. Fortunately, Yosemite boasts one of the most comprehensive public transport systems of any national park.
Amtrak’s San Joaquins service links major California cities like San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles to Merced, where passengers can board the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) buses directly into the park. While YARTS still waits in the park entrance line, it gains access to bus-only lanes once inside, drastically cutting delays.
Even better, an Amtrak ticket covers both the bus fare and park admission. That means you can roll into Yosemite, gaze up at El Capitan, and set up camp in Tuolumne Meadows—all without touching your car.
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia: Rails through the ravine
One of the newest additions to the national park system, New River Gorge in West Virginia has quickly become an East Coast favorite. Just 300 miles from Washington, D.C., this adrenaline-filled playground offers whitewater rafting, hiking, and world-class rock climbing.
But it’s also uniquely accessible by train. Amtrak’s Cardinal line, running between D.C. and Chicago, stops in several small towns within the park, including Thurmond and Prince. These historic stations once boomed with coal industry traffic; today, they’re portals to a more tranquil adventure.
“There is no road that goes all the way through the gorge,” says Eve West, the park’s Chief of Interpretation and Education. “You’ll get a great view of the New River Gorge Bridge and feel what it was like to live in these small river towns.” With local outfitters offering shuttle pickups from train stations, this is one park where you can ditch the car entirely—and still get your heart racing.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio: A midwestern escape by rail
Straddling the cities of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park may not be as iconic as Yosemite or Yellowstone, but it’s fast becoming a top choice for day-trippers and cyclists. Waterfalls, wetlands, sandstone outcrops, and historic canal paths make this green corridor a peaceful surprise in the heart of Ohio.
The park’s gem is the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR), a vintage rail line that offers hop-on, hop-off service across eight stations. Riders can bring their bikes and use the train to access the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which winds through the park’s rich ecological and industrial heritage.Travelers can reach the region via Amtrak’s Floridian, which stops in Cleveland along its route between Miami and Chicago. From there, it’s a short ride to the park—no car necessary.
Denali National Park, Alaska: Into the wild, by rail
Alaska’s Denali National Park is remote, wild, and breathtaking—and perfectly suited for train access. With just one road running 90 miles into the park (mostly closed to private vehicles), the Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star offers a front-row seat to one of the last great wilderness frontiers.
Departing from Anchorage and Fairbanks, the train features domed cars that showcase tundra, wildlife, and snowcapped peaks in all their glory. Passengers can stop in Talkeetna—a launchpad for scenic flights over Denali—or continue straight to the park, where shuttle buses provide backcountry access deep into the interior. From May through September, the Coastal Classic route south to Seward offers an additional bonus: a marine wildlife cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, home to calving glaciers and humpback whales.
The future of park travel may lie on the rails
While driving may never disappear entirely from the national park experience, trains are proving that the journey to nature can be part of the adventure itself. With fewer emissions, less congestion, and more opportunities to connect with the landscape, rail travel isn’t just practical—it’s poetic. As more travelers opt for meaningful, low-impact ways to explore the outdoors, the old-fashioned train ride may just be the future of America’s best idea.
