Train travel is experiencing a profound renaissance across the United States, fueled by a collective desire for "slow travel" and a rejection of the high-stress environment of modern aviation. In 2025, Amtrak reached a historic milestone, servicing a record 34.5 million passengers—a 5.1 percent increase over the previous year. This surge in ridership is not merely about transportation; it is a shift in philosophy. Travelers are increasingly choosing the rails to avoid the invasive scrutiny of TSA checkpoints, the exorbitant costs of long-term airport parking, and the cramped confines of economy seating. On a train, the journey is the destination, and nowhere is this more evident than on the legendary Empire Builder route. The Empire Builder is more than just a transit line; it is a rolling tribute to American westward expansion. Named after James J. Hill, the tycoon behind the Great Northern Railway, the route follows the rugged footsteps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Stretching from the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago to the saltwater inlets of the Pacific Northwest in Seattle and Portland, the two-day, 2,206-mile journey traverses some of the most ecologically diverse terrain on the continent. Passengers are treated to a cinematic display of Mississippi River bluffs, the golden expanses of the North Dakota prairies, the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and the emerald canopies of the Cascade Range. While most travelers remain confined to the Sightseer Lounge car, a growing subculture of "train-to-trail" adventurers is using the Empire Builder as a mobile basecamp. By utilizing Amtrak’s multi-city booking feature, hikers can disembark at historic stations, spend days exploring wilderness areas, and re-board the next day’s train to continue their westward trek. A non-stop journey takes approximately 46 hours, but the true value lies in the stops. With round-trip coach fares averaging $600 and private sleeper rooms reaching $1,500 during peak summer months, the trip is an investment in a deeper connection with the American landscape. Departure: Chicago, Illinois – The Urban Thruhike The journey begins at Chicago’s Union Station, an architectural masterpiece of the Beaux-Arts style. Before boarding the 3:05 p.m. departure, hikers can test their mettle on the Outerbelt. This 210-mile backpacking loop is a modern marvel of urban planning, encircling the Chicago metropolitan area by linking the massive "Emerald Necklace" of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Outerbelt is a unique hybrid trail, transitioning from paved lakefront paths to rugged single-track dirt through ancient oak savannas. For those seeking a multi-day "warm-up" before heading west, the trail offers established campgrounds like Camp Bullfrog Lake, though many hikers opt for "urban glamping" by staying in local hotels along the route. This trek highlights the importance of urban greenways, proving that wilderness can exist even within the shadow of a skyline. Ending the loop back at Union Station allows for a seamless transition from the pavement to the rails. Stop 1: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin – Quartzite Bluffs and Glacial History As the Empire Builder crosses into the Badger State, the landscape shifts toward the "Driftless Area," a region famously missed by the last glacial retreat. Arriving at 6:42 p.m., the Wisconsin Dells stop offers immediate access to some of the Midwest’s most striking geology. While the town is famous for its commercial waterparks, the Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area protects 100-foot-tall Cambrian sandstone cliffs that have been carved over millennia by the river’s caramel-colored, tannin-rich waters. A short rideshare from the station leads to Devil’s Lake State Park, the crown jewel of the Wisconsin park system. The park is anchored by 500-foot-high quartzite bluffs that are over 1.6 billion years old. Hikers can traverse the East Bluff Trail for panoramic views of the lake or connect to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The Ice Age Trail is one of only eleven National Scenic Trails in the U.S., tracing the edge of the last continental glacier. For hikers, this stop represents a journey through deep time, where the silence of the moss-draped Witches Gulch provides a stark contrast to the bustling train platform. Stop 2: Winona, Minnesota – The Majesty of the Mississippi Flyway The train arrives in Winona at 8:34 p.m., hugging the banks of the Mississippi River. This section of the route is a birdwatcher’s paradise, situated directly within the Mississippi Flyway, a migratory path used by 40% of North America’s waterfowl. Nearby Perrot State Park and Great River Bluffs State Park offer some of the best vantage points in the Upper Midwest. The Perrot Ridge to Brady’s Bluff Loop is a must-hike, especially during the spring wildflower bloom when shooting stars and bird’s-foot violets blanket the forest floor. Across the river, the King’s Bluff Trail in Minnesota provides a 500-foot vertical perspective of the river’s vast floodplain. From this height, hikers can witness the immense scale of the waterway that shaped American commerce and literature, watching the very train they just exited as it snakes along the riverbank far below. Stop 3: Williston, North Dakota – The Rugged Beauty of the Badlands Entering the Great Plains, the Empire Builder reaches Williston at 11:59 a.m. the following day. This is the heart of the Bakken Formation, a region defined by its energy industry, but a 90-minute drive south reveals the "Mako Shika" or "Badlands" of Little Missouri State Park. The North Dakota Badlands are often overshadowed by their South Dakotan counterparts, yet they offer a more solitary, rugged experience. The Little Missouri Loop (6.9 miles) winds through a labyrinth of sculpted buttes and deep coulees. This is a landscape of extremes—barren, beautiful, and silent. Hikers should remain vigilant for golden eagles circling the thermals and prairie rattlesnakes basking on the rocks. The geological formations here, characterized by colorful layers of clinker and bentonite clay, tell a story of ancient volcanic ash and coal fires that have burned underground for centuries. Stop 4: East Glacier, Montana – The Crown of the Continent For most hikers, the 7:48 p.m. arrival at East Glacier Park is the emotional peak of the trip. The station itself, built in 1913 by the Great Northern Railway, is a rustic timber masterpiece that serves as the gateway to Glacier National Park. This is where the Great Plains abruptly collide with the Rocky Mountains in a geological phenomenon known as the Lewis Overthrust. While most tourists flock to the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the East Glacier stop provides access to the Two Medicine valley, a quieter, more sacred corner of the park. The 18-mile Dawson-Pitamakan Loop is a world-class thru-hike that takes adventurers over the Continental Divide, offering views of turquoise glacial lakes and jagged "horns" carved by ice. For a shorter excursion, the Scenic Point Trail provides a punishing but rewarding climb to a ridge where the wind howls off the prairies, offering a 360-degree view of the "Crown of the Continent." This stop is a reminder of the railway’s role in the birth of the National Park Service; without the Empire Builder, Glacier National Park might never have been preserved for public use. Stop 5: Sandpoint, Idaho – The Selkirk Rainforest The train rolls into Sandpoint, Idaho’s only Amtrak stop, at 12:55 a.m. Despite the late hour, the stop is essential for those seeking the lush, temperate rainforests of the Idaho Panhandle. Sandpoint sits on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, one of the deepest lakes in the United States (reaching depths of 1,150 feet), so deep that the U.S. Navy uses it for submarine acoustic testing. The Little Sand Creek Basin Trails in the Selkirk Mountains offer over 25 miles of hiking through dense canopies of cedar and hemlock. These trails are home to massive huckleberry bushes, which draw both hikers and grizzly bears in the late summer. The Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail provides a gentler, three-mile lakeshore walk with views of the Cabinet Mountains. In October, the high-elevation slopes turn a brilliant gold as the Western Larches—one of the few deciduous conifers—drop their needles, a spectacle easily viewed from the train’s windows if you choose to stay on board. Arrival: Seattle, Washington – The Emerald City’s Urban Wilds The Empire Builder terminates at Seattle’s King Street Station at 11:29 a.m. After nearly 2,300 miles, the transition back to a major metropolis can be jarring, but Seattle’s commitment to urban green spaces makes for a soft landing. Discovery Park, located on the site of the former Fort Lawton, offers 534 acres of coastal wilderness. The 2.8-mile Loop Trail takes hikers through meadows and forests to the edge of sea cliffs, where the West Point Lighthouse stands guard over Puget Sound. On a clear day, the Olympic Mountains rise across the water, and Mount Rainier looms to the south. For a more intimate experience with the Pacific Northwest’s old-growth legacy, Seward Park preserves a peninsula of ancient forest on Lake Washington. These urban trails serve as a final bridge between the wild landscapes of the journey and the reality of the destination. Essential Logistics for the Rail-Bound Hiker Planning a "Train-to-Trail" expedition requires a specific set of logistical considerations. Unlike airlines, Amtrak allows for a generous baggage policy: two carry-on bags and two personal items, provided they weigh under 50 pounds. This is ideal for hikers carrying heavy multi-day packs. However, federal safety regulations strictly prohibit the transport of flammable materials. This means stove fuel (isobutane or white gas) and bear spray cannot be brought on the train. Hikers must plan to purchase these items at local outfitters near their stopovers. Seasonality is the most critical factor. High-alpine trails in Glacier and the Cascades are often impassable due to snow until late June or early July. The ideal window for an Empire Builder hiking trip is July through September. September, in particular, offers the best of all worlds: fewer crowds, no mosquitoes, vibrant fall foliage in the Midwest, and the chance to see the "golden larches" in the West. Furthermore, travelers should book their journey as a "Multi-City" itinerary on the Amtrak website. This allows you to lock in your seats for each segment while giving you the flexibility to spend 24, 48, or 72 hours in a specific location. While rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available in towns like Winona and Sandpoint, more remote trailheads in North Dakota and Montana may require a rental car or the use of seasonal park shuttles. By choosing the Empire Builder, the hiker rejects the "point A to point B" mentality of modern life. They embrace a slower, more intentional way of seeing the country—one that respects the vast distances and the diverse ecosystems that lie between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean. It is a journey that honors the past while providing a sustainable, breathtaking blueprint for the future of American adventure. Post navigation Brooks Celebrates Two Decades of Trail Innovation with the Launch of the All-New Cascadia 20 and Full Performance Collection.
