glacier national park train tour

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Grand Rail Experience with Glacier National Park

$5,849 - 15 Days

• Chicago >
• Santa Fe >
• Grand Canyon >
• Flagstaff >

Starting off in the great city of Chicago, the Grand Rail Experience with Glacier National Park is tailor-made for anyone who wants to get the full cross-country Amtrak® experience with some of the best scenic landscapes. This train lover’s journey connects five of Amtrak’s top train routes around the country: The Empire Builder, Amtrak’s iconic train route, across the top of the country; the Coast Starlight down the Pacific Coast; the Sunset Limited route through the south; the Crescent line up through our nation’s capital; and finally, the Capitol Limited from Washington, DC back to Chicago. With stops in some of the nation’s top cities and one of the most impressive National Parks along the way, this around-the-country journey is sure to please any train-buff or adventurous sightseer!

Reservations: 1-800-268-7252

For pricing and availability from your Amtrak Station:

Highlights:

Two Medicine Valley Boat Cruise of Glacier National Park*

· Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park*

· Admission to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden & Glass Exhibit

· Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Seattle

· Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of Los Angeles

· Sightseeing city tour of New Orleans

· Monuments by Moonlight tour in Washington, DC

PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES:

· Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Glacier National Park and Glacier National Park to Seattle; Seattle to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to New Orleans; New Orleans to Washington, DC; and Washington DC to Chicago onboard the Empire Builder®, Coast Starlight®, Sunset Limited®, Crescent®, and Capitol Limited®

· 9 nights’ hotel accommodations; 7 nights’ onboard Amtrak

· 3 meals included (2 breakfasts and 1 dinner)

*Seasonal activity: Glacier Park Two Medicine Valley Boat cruise runs early June to early September and Big Sky Circle Tour runs mid-June to mid-September.

Call us to customize this vacation!

Other Packages Available:

Disclaimer:

Package prices are per person, double occupancy, tax included. Prices do not include rail from your hometown. Please call for pricing. Package prices are subject to change without notice, and all reservations are based upon availability at the time of booking. Amtrak travel is for Coach accommodations unless otherwise noted. Upgrades to Roomette or Bedroom accommodations on board Amtrak are available. Call for pricing. Other restrictions may apply. Activities referenced in the itinerary during free time are for suggested purposes only and are not included. Seasonal activity (if applicable): During the off-season, some tours may not be available. In this case, a similar tour will be substituted. Passports (if applicable): Passports are required when crossing the Canadian border. Amtrak and Amtrak Vacations are registered service marks of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

DAY 1 YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS IN CHICAGO

Begin your journey in Chicago. Head to the Amtrak station and board the Empire Builder® to Glacier National Park. Sit back and relax as you head west to begin your around-the-country adventure. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)

DAY 2 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Welcome to Glacier National Park, home to two different mountain ranges, 130 lakes, 1,000 species of plants, and 16,000 square miles of protected land. Enjoy the mountain air during your short walk to the iconic Glacier Park Lodge, where you can settle in for a good night’s rest. (Overnight in Glacier National Park)

DAY 3 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Today, you will continue exploring Glacier National Park on the Big Sky Circle Tour. Drive over the breathtaking Maria’s Pass. Enjoy the local wildlife at Goat Lick. Venture along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a windy-mountain thoroughfare that spans 50 miles through the park. After your tour, you’ll return to Glacier Park Lodge for your final night's stay. (Overnight in Glacier National Park) B, D

DAY 4 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK

Explore the serene sights of Glacier National Park on a scenic boat cruise of Two Medicine Valley. Enjoy a relaxing cruise while listening to the Blackfoot Indian folklore surrounding this gorgeous area. The Two Medicine Valley boat cruise will take your breath away! Later on this evening, board Amtrak and continue west to Seattle. (Overnight onboard Amtrak) B

DAY 5 SEATTLE

Today you will arrive in the shining city, Seattle. Check-in to your hotel and prepare for a fun couple of days in “the Emerald City”. Perhaps you want to stroll down to the popular Pike’s Place Market, or enjoy the Seattle Waterfront. There is plenty to do and see in Seattle. (Overnight in Seattle)

DAY 6 SEATTLE

Today you will get to explore Seattle with your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour! Travel around to Seattle’s top attractions such as the iconic Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, Pioneer Square, and Pike’s Place Market. With the ability to get on and off the tour at your own leisure, there is no telling how much you will get to see and experience during your stay in Seattle. (Overnight in Seattle)

DAY 7 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK

Check-out of your hotel and travel on your own to the Amtrak station to board the famous Coast Starlight. As you head south to Los Angeles you will travel past some of the beautiful peaks of the Cascade Range, lush forests, and fertile valleys. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)

DAY 8 LOS ANGELES

As the train makes its way south, enjoy the panoramic views of the Pacific Coast. The Coast Starlight is one of Amtrak’s most popular routes as it allows you to see areas of the California coastline not accessible any other way. Tonight, arrive in Los Angeles and check-in to your hotel, tomorrow you will get to explore the “City of Angels”. (Overnight in Los Angeles)

DAY 9 LOS ANGELES

Today you will get to enjoy the best of what Los Angeles has to offer. Use your hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour to visit such iconic landmarks as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, the Universal Studios, and the Hollywood Sign. Tonight, travel on your own to Los Angeles’ Union station to board the Sunset Limited and head east to New Orleans. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)

DAY 10 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK

Your trip continues as the Sunset Limited makes its way through the southern parts of the country. Glide through the sprawling deserts, past mountains, and cacti as the train heads towards New Orleans. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)

DAY 11 NEW ORLEANS

After passing through Texas and Louisiana, the train will arrive in New Orleans. Check-in to your hotel and head to sleep, tomorrow you will get to explore “the Big Easy.” (Overnight in New Orleans)

DAY 12 NEW ORLEANS

Today you will get to experience New Orleans on a guided sightseeing tour. Your tour will take you all around the “City that Care Forgot” to see the French Quarter, historic Jackson Square, past the cemeteries known as the “Cities of the Dead”, and along the bayous that make New Orleans famous. (Overnight in New Orleans)

DAY 13 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK

This morning check out of your hotel and head over to the Amtrak station to board the Crescent for your trip up to Washington, DC. As the train makes its way up from the South, prepare for a fun time in our Nation’s Capital. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)

DAY 14 WASHINGTON DC

Welcome to Washington, DC! Upon arrival check-in to your hotel and begin exploring Washington. Stroll through one or more of the many Smithsonian museums, stroll over to the Capital Building, and make sure to stop for picture-taking at the White House. And tonight you will enjoy the Monuments by Moonlight tour that will take you to see all of the major U.S. monuments lit up at night. (Overnight in Washington, DC)

DAY 15 WASHINGTON DC

Today, use your hop-on, hop-off tour to explore all over the capitol. Visit the city's many magnificent museums and stunning monuments like the Lincoln Memorial. (Overnight in Washington, DC)

DAY 16 OVERNIGHT ONBOARD AMTRAK

Today you will check out of your hotel and board the Capitol Limited to head back to Chicago. As your train makes its way to the Midwest, reflect upon all of the wonderful things you saw and experienced during your Grand Rail Experience! (Overnight onboard Amtrak)

DAY 17 YOUR JOURNEY ENDS IN CHICAGO

Legend for meals: B - Breakfast, BR - Brunch, L - Lunch, D - Dinner

August 2024

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Why you should take the train to Glacier National Park

Nov 23, 2020 • 4 min read

Empire Builder Amtrak passenger train on the approach to Glacier National Park © Danita Delimont / Alamy Stock Photo

The love affair with the motor car is a relatively recent phenomenon in the USA . One hundred years ago, wealthy tourists searching for an antidote to the stresses of city living traveled around primarily by train, courtesy of a rapidly expanding rail network.

The Empire Builder train is a surviving facet of this era, running from Chicago to the West Coast (and back again). Here's everything you need to know about one of its most iconic routes – the trip to Glacier National Park .

The great outdoors by train

Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the country’s multi-million dollar, cross-continental railroad system trail-blazed its way through spectacular scenery and subtly ignited a healthy interest in the "great outdoors." One of its iconic stops was the 1489-sq-mile Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana .

Notoriously difficult to access at the time of its inception in 1910, Glacier owed much of its early success to the Great Northern Railway, a pioneering line conceived and constructed by industrialist James J Hill – aka the "Empire Builder" – in the 1890s. Hill envisaged the park's rugged alpine scenery as a "Little Switzerland" and, understanding its value as a tourist destination, he authorized the construction of two historic train stations and a handful of rustic hotels on its southern perimeter. The gamble paid off. Glacier was quickly inundated with visitors whose vacation dollars went a long way to helping Hill pay back his hefty business loans in an era when most railroad companies were going bust.

Despite the subsequent rise of the motor car, Amtrak still runs a train service (named the Empire Builder in Hill’s honor) along the Great Northern’s original 2206-mile route between Chicago and Seattle , stopping at both East Glacier Park and West Glacier stations on the way.

How much does the Empire Builder cost?

The 550-mile, 14.5-hour Empire Builder journey from Seattle to West Glacier costs less than $100 in a comfortable superliner seat, or around $250 for a private "roomette" that includes meals. From Chicago (31 hours), the prices are equally reasonable. Equipped with a restaurant car, reclining business class seats, sleeping compartments and a seemingly never-ending supply of magnificent scenery, the Empire Builder echoes the golden years of 19th-century train travel – but without the inflated prices. Instead, it has become one of America’s great travel bargains.

After a couple of days spent chugging through the landscapes of the Old West, the well-worn travel adage about the journey being as important as the destination starts to sound a lot less trite.

What to expect on the train to Glacier National Park

The trip from the west begins in Seattle at 4:40pm with a complimentary glass of champagne, sipped while you enjoy the watery vista of Puget Sound with the snowy volcanic dome of Mt Rainier winking in the background.

By dinner at 7pm you are crossing Washington State ’s Cascade Mountains via the longest rail tunnel in the United States at almost 8 miles long, and by the time your purser has made up your bunk, you are in Idaho amid the Rockies . The panoramic observation car opens just in time to enjoy sunrise over the rugged peaks of western Montana as you tuck into a hearty breakfast.

Located at the park’s western entrance, historic West Glacier station has changed little since the days when train loads of pasty-faced city dwellers were met by horses to be transported to a handful of backcountry hotels and lodges.

How to get around Glacier National Park

By the 1930s, the horses had been replaced by cars with the completion of the aptly named Going-to-the-Sun Road, a heart-in-your-mouth roller coaster that climbs past cascading waterfalls and gaping cliffs up to the continental divide at 6646ft-high Logan Pass .

Plagued by increasing numbers of cars, maintenance on the Going-to-the-Sun Road had become a perennial headache by the 2000s. With the highway listed as a national historic landmark, road-widening was not an option. Instead, in the summer of 2007, Glacier’s park officials introduced a summer shuttle service between the nexus points of Apgar in the west and St Mary in the east, a 50-mile journey. Linking various campgrounds, trailheads, lodges and viewpoints, these super-efficient buses run visitors to 15 destinations along the park’s arterial road. If you have arrived by train in the summer season and are staying in a hotel in West Glacier, hiring a car is no longer a necessity for getting around. Space on the shuttles is limited, so journeys must be booked in advance .

Shuttle stops include the intentionally rustic Lake McDonald Lodge , dating from 1913; the park's three main visitor centers ; and enough trailheads to satisfy the appetite of the most steely-legged hiker.

But, most of all, the park and its shuttle buses allow access to hundreds of square miles of Eden-like wilderness, a vast backcountry replete with grizzly bears, bighorn sheep and sharp Gothic mountains. It is a landscape that remains virtually unaltered since the days when Blackfeet Native Americans roamed Glacier’s forest-filled slopes; remote, but comfortingly accessible thanks, in part, to James J Hill and his empire-building railway.

You might also like:

This park ranger says diversity is the key to protecting the outdoors    Where to find the USA's 11 newest national parks    7 best US national parks to take your kids

Article first published in April 2012, and last updated in November 2020.

This article was first published Aug 15, 2019 and updated Nov 23, 2020.

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Amtrak Guide

By train travelers for train travelers, amtrak to glacier national park: what to know about the nearby train stations.

Glacier National Park is one of the easiest destinations to reach via Amtrak train. There are four train stations near the park (all on the Empire Builder route ), each with different amenities and lodging experiences. To help with your decision, here’s what you need to know about each.

This website is reader supported and not affiliated with Amtrak. We may earn a small commission from links on this page.

Great for: Activities, lodging, restaurants, rental cars

Whitefish, Montana is a charming town with a lake, nearby ski resort and many lodging and restaurant options . It’s a great place to stay if you want a variety of things to do in and outside of the national park. Plus, the nearby airport provides the option to fly in one direction if you don’t want to travel on Amtrak roundtrip.

To explore the area, you can rent a car from Budget or Dollar at the Amtrak station or check out Turo . The main entrance to Glacier National Park is about 30 minutes away and just slightly further away is Lake McDonald and the Apgar Visitors Center. Booking a tour with Whitefish Outfitters is also an option if you don’t want to drive.

East Glacier

Great for: summer trips, car-free vacation.

For an easy summer vacation, travel to the East Glacier Park Station, which is a short walk away from the historic Glacier Park Lodge (pickup service also available), several motels and vacation rentals. Tour buses stop at the lodge and will take you into the national park, so you don’t need a car to sightsee.

The station and the lodge are only open from mid-spring until mid-fall, and dining options are more limited than in Whitefish. You can eat at the lodge or at casual restaurants near the Amtrak station. Transportation options are also limited, so if you want to rent a car, use one of the other stations.

Tip : The lodge doesn’t have elevators, so be sure to book a first floor room if you are unable to go up and down stairs.

Great for: Unique accommodations, relaxation

Originally built to house railroad workers, the Izaak Walton Inn is a historic and unique place to stay. Lodging choices include rooms in the inn, old cabooses, luxury railcars and family cabins. You won’t find TVs here, and with limited WiFi, you can really unplug and enjoy the great outdoors.

In the winter months, you can explore Nordic trails (ski and snowshoe rentals available), or hike to Marion Lake in the summer. All year long you can enjoy a full bar with games, outdoor hot tub, sauna and a large selection of books. To visit Glacier National Park, Glacier Sun Tours provides full-day tours (minimum four people) and there are other outdoor excursions available.

Pickup service from the train station is available (weather permitting) if you coordinate with the inn ahead of time. Otherwise, walking time from the train station is about six minutes.

West Glacier

Great for: outdoor activities, easy access to the national park.

If you want to stay in or next to Glacier National Park, the West Glacier Station is the best Amtrak station use. It is conveniently next to the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Flathead River and West Glacier Village. Plus, the main entrance to the national park is only a one-minute drive away. Rental cars are available at the Amtrak station via Hertz (make reservations early) or rent a car via Turo.

The Glacier Raft Company (whitewater rafting and fly fishing trips), the South Boundary Trail , a small grocery store and a few restaurants are also conveniently in walking distance of the Amtrak station. Nearby lodging options include the historic Belton Chalet , Glacier Guides Lodge , River Haus and the West Glacier Cabin Village .

If you prefer to stay inside the national park, the closest options are the Apgar Village Lodge , Apgar Campground , and Lake McDonald Lodge & Cabins (kayaking, fishing, boat tours available here). As a bonus, the Glacier Park shuttles and Red bus tours also stop at these locations.

More Information

• Amtrak to the Grand Canyon
• 10 best mountain getaways on Amtrak
• 10 easiest national parks to visit on Amtrak
• 7 essential things to pack for an Amtrak trip
• 8 best Amtrak cross-country trips to travel coast to coast

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How to Visit Glacier National Park by Train

These tips for your train trip to Glacier National Park is brought to you by Gregory Packs , whose backpacking packs with dynamic suspension will keep your back cool and comfortable all day long. 

In May of 1910, Glacier National Park was founded as the tenth national park in the United States. It was widely popular not only for its astounding natural resources but also for its access to the public via the growing industry of train travel. Since its beginning, it has been accessible by train through the Great Northern Railway—a stretch of tracks built over the course of decades in the late 1800s reaching from Chicago to Seattle, finding Glacier National Park along the way.

Today, train visits to the park are wildly popular, not only for the novelty of riding through the west, but for the reasonable price and gorgeous experience.

How to Plan A Train Trip to Glacier National Park

Journey Options

While the Great Northern Train is no longer operational, Amtrak’s “ Empire Builder ” is a train that follows the same tracks of the original—with plenty of 21st century comforts. It begins from three points; Portland, Seattle (with the tracks merging from Portland and Seattle in Spokane, Washington) and Chicago, with Glacier National Park as the final destination for each leg. Ticket prices for a roundtrip booking from the three starting cities to West Glacier can cost up to $300—half the price of an average plane ticket.

The train to Glacier National Park also allows for a better experience once you reach your destination; airplane travel is not conducive to bringing along backpacking gear, whether it’s TSA confiscating your spork or the fact that your pack will not fit into an overhead compartment. With regulations so strict, the Amtrak can be the ideal alternative to flying. The train also allows you to arrive well rested with a smaller carbon footprint than if you had driven a car, and more money in your pocket than if you had boarded a plane.

Sights You’ll See

As the saying goes, half the fun is the journey itself. Wether you board from Seattle, Portland or Chicago (or somewhere even closer), the train to Glacier National Park takes you through some awe-inspiring scenery. Here are some of the natural areas/sights you’ll spy from your seat on the train to Glacier National Park.

Views from Seattle/ Portland:

• Columbia River Gorge (from Portland)
• Wenatchee, Washington (from Seattle)
• Lake Pend Orville, Idaho
• Kaniksu/ Kooteni National Forests, Idaho/Montana
• Whitefish, Montana

Views from Chicago:

• Lake Michigan
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Dells
• Mississippi River, Wisconsin/Minnesota boarder
• Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
• Devil’s Lake, North Dakota
• Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana
• East Glacier Park Village, Montana

What To Pack For the Glacier National Park Train Ride

Packing smart for a backpacking trip is essential! Even if you maybe be spending 40+ hours lounging on a train, you have to remember that everything you bring, you will have to carry on your back. If you want to bring a Kindle or tablet for entertainment, remember that you will need to keep it safe out in the backcountry where the weather and temperature can be unpredictable.

Check out our classic backpacking travel pack list here and be sure to look at our train-to-trail travel pack list below. This list below includes recommendations for both the journey and the destination.

• Backpacking pack: Everything that is on this travel pack list should fit into your backpacking pack. Bring a pack in the 50 liter range that will fit all your necessities for the trail and the train. Gearheads spend hours debating the ideal backpacking pack but if you are in the market, my main recommendation would be to get a gender specific pack.  For women, the Jade 53 will hug your hips and for men the Zulu 55 will fit you just right for those overnight adventures.
• Tent, Tarp, or shelter of your choice
• Sleeping Bag
• Trekking poles: This is a necessary piece of gear to add to your travel pack list if the trail you are taking has any river crossings or snowfields.
• Pack Rain Cover: Chances are if you are headed to Glacier National Park you will be there in the warmer months but between morning dew and Alpine climates, it is best to be prepared especially if you are carrying any electronics.
• Dry bag or Waterproof case: Chances are you are going to want to bring a kindle, tablet or at least smartphone for the train. Make sure this stays safe by bringing it in a waterproof dry bag or case.

Small Stuff

• Backcountry Permit: A backcountry permit is a necessity for anyone planning to go backpacking or camping in Glacier National Park—even if you’re staying in one of the park’s established campgrounds in the backcountry. These can be obtained through an advance online application , or at one of the permitting offices in the park before you hike in.
• Maps, compass, and itinerary: Choosing a hike ahead of time and planning for specific closures, trail crossings, and permits is important. Your itinerary will give you a good idea of the gear necessary, amount of food you need to bring, and how much water you will need to carry with you. Make sure to add a map and compass to your travel pack list to stay on the trail.
• Water bottle
• Headlamp : Lanterns and flashlights can be too heavy to bring along on a trip like this; if you’re hiking everywhere in the park, the last thing you want is unnecessary weight. Pack a lightweight headlamp and make sure it is charged and accessible on the go.
• Bear spray: Montana is bear country—that means you’re better off adding a can of bear spray to your travel pack list than being very unlucky.
• Water filter
• Camera:  Whether you go old-school with a small disposable, or just use your smartphone, you will be kicking yourself if you don’t have a camera the moment you step into the glass-enclosed Amtrak viewing car on the Empire Builder.

Beyond packing for your backcountry trip with plenty of dehydrated food for the trail, it’s also recommended to add some train snacks to your pack. While you may have time to grab a bite on some of the train stops, your only other option is the dining car which can be both crowded and limited. When prepping for an intensive backpacking trip, you want to be eating energizing and healthy food ahead of time. Pack some energizing snacks and some peanut butter and jelly ingredients at the very least.

• Camping stove without fuel: For the trail, remember that you will need to add a stove to your travel pack list unless you plan on eating your oatmeal cold. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to bring fuel canisters on the Amtrak trains, so you’ll have to pick some up at the park.
• Activities for the train ride: These can include a kindle, some electronics, books, etc.
• Spork:  The no-brainer backpacking accessory. We are huge fans of this spork and spatula combo by Morsel Spork.
• Cooking pot
• Trail running shoes or hiking boots : Unless you have room to bring a pair of camp shoes , the only pair of shoes you should be packing are the ones on your feet. While classic hiking boots are fine, they can be a little clunky when partaking in everyday activities, so think about bringing a pair of crossover train running shoes.
• Camp Shoes/ Shower Shoes:  Having a pair of lightweight, waterproof camp shoes is important for this trip—not only for in the campsite, but also while showering on train. Our favorites are  OOFOS’ sandals for their comfort—and on a longer train ride like this, comfort is key.
• Extra pairs of underwear
• Base layers

Because you’re not taking a plane, you’re not restricted to the travel sized for most toiletries. Despite this, it’s strongly recommended to still carry travel-sized  of whatever you plan on bringing because they will be lighter on the trail. There are showers on the Amtrak for all passengers, and on the train back from Glacier National Park, the shower will become essential. Be sure to pack some shower comforts for that portion of the trip.

• First Aid Kit

From Train to Trail

Once you arrive to West Glacier, Montana, you’ll have access to a free shuttle service to get you into the park—from there, you can decide the best routes and backcountry spots based on your itinerary. But with Glacier’s expansive 1,583 square miles of scenic beauty, there is no way to see it all.

Instead of attempting to shuttle around like crazy and snap a photo at every noteworthy spot, consider exploring a singular part of the park (depending on the time you have in the park). The best way to do this is to hike beyond the tourist crowds and shuttle buses, and follow a backpacking trail that allows you to center yourself on a portion of the scenery, and absorb all the beauty that area has to offer.

There are no bad views in Glacier National Park, but as a massive, multifaceted national park, you will want to have a pretty good idea of where you are hiking. Unless you are fully prepared by receiving a reserved permit (tip: don’t be late picking this up because they will give it away!), you will be arriving in the park not fully sure which hike to take.

The best place to start is the distance: how many days do you have? How long do you want to hike? From there, you can pick a few hikes depending on the location in the park, the difficulty, and of course the location. Make sure not to have your heart set too much on a single hike-in campground unless you have reserved it ahead of time, especially during high season.  Check out this map below of some of the highest rated backpacking trails:

Want to take the train and hit the trails but not interested in backcountry backpacking? Check out our favorite campsites at Glacier National Park  here .

This travel pack list was brought to you by Gregory .

Check out their full line of packs and find the perfect one for your train to trail adventure.

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Maggie Fisher

Maggie Fisher is a photographer, outdoor enthusiast, and avid traveler. Based in Burlington, VT, you can find Maggie skinning in the Green Mountains, hiking switchbackless trails or paddling across Lake Champlain. She dabbles in activities ranging from rollerblading, to climbing, to skiing, to surfing, to sailing, to petting every dog in sight. Check out more of her work at https://mjf.design/

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How to Take Amtrak to Glacier National Park

TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris

Did you know Amtrak still delivers easy access to one of America’s most spectacular national parks? Its Empire Builder route enters the southern fringe of Montana’s Glacier National Park, providing riders in picture-window observation cars with spectacular views and up to four stations.

Why take a train to the park? Trains reveal views most travelers miss. Cityscapes, ranch lands, backyards and town squares are on display outside Amtrak picture windows. Daily American life unfolds here in engaging simplicity. Trains also deliver a far more relaxing experience than air travel — from stress-free boarding, to often times free Wi-Fi — and relaxation is a great way to begin or end a vacation

Amtrak Stations serving Glacier Park

Amtrak’s East Glacier station is open from April-October. Glacier Park Lodge and several other hotels are a short walk from the station.

Amtrak also stops at Essex , where a platform sits a short walk from Izaak Walton Inn. Hikers stay at the Inn and have access several nearby park trailheads. Trains only call at this “flagstop” when passengers appear on the platform.

The West Glacier station sits at the western terminus of the iconic Going to the Sun Road , and about 2 miles from the Apgar Visitor Center within the national park. There are no facilities here for buying tickets or making travel arrangements — but the stop is within 2 miles of several small hotels.

Amtrak’s full-service Whitefish, Montana station is about 27 miles from Apgar, the western hub of shuttle transportation within the park. Whitefish serves about 57,000 Amtrak passengers per year, more than double the combined traffic of all other Glacier stops. Visitors find a wealth of outfitters, dining and shopping.

Depending upon weather and traffic conditions, the one-way drive from Whitefish to Apgar takes about 40 minutes. Unlike East Glacier, the Whitefish station remains open all year and provides access to the nearby Whitefish Mountain.

Many travelers begin their Empire Builder treks to Glacier in Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis or Chicago. Read on for information on traveling to Glacier National Park from each of the above cities.

Seattle to Glacier

Seattle passengers cover 579 miles over 14 hours between King Street Station in downtown Seattle and Whitefish. Eastbound Seattle trains leave at 4:41 p.m., connecting overnight in Spokane with eastbound Empire Builder trains from Portland. Visitors from Portland and Seattle arrive at Whitefish about 7:30 a.m. The train also passes West Glacier at 8:11 a.m. and East Glacier at 9:44 a.m.

Seattle passengers have daily options for returning home in the early evening, arriving in Seattle at 10:25 a.m. the next day.

Portland to Glacier

Portland passengers depart Union Station at 4:45 p.m. and arrive nearly 14 hours and 529 miles later in Whitefish. The Portland route includes a scenic voyage through the Columbia River Gorge.

Returning from Glacier Park, Portland passengers board in early evening and arrive home at 10:10 a.m. the next day.

Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul to Glacier

The Empire Builder departs Union Station daily in downtown Chicago at 2:15 p.m., proceeding through Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Dells and along the Mississippi River shoreline to St. Paul/Minneapolis. The Chicago-Whitefish trip is 31 hours and 1626 miles.

Passengers embarking in the Twin Cities can go to sleep shortly after boarding, as the train arrives about 10:45 p.m. Their trip to Whitefish takes 23 hours and covers roughly 1200 miles. The prairie scenery in North Dakota and eastern Montana is peaceful if not spectacular. The train passes a wide expanse of the Missouri River and the Williston oil fields. Travelers can stretch their legs on platforms at Minot and Havre stations.

Around 6:45 p.m. on that second night, the train arrives at East Glacier and then makes its way through a winding, scenic section of railroad that is inside the boundaries of Glacier National Park. Stake out a seat in the domed observation cars well in advance of this two-hour segment, as space fills quickly. The westbound Empire Builder arrives at Whitefish just before 9 p.m.

Going home, Chicago and Minneapolis passengers board early morning trains and arrive home the next day: Minneapolis at 8 a.m. and Chicago at 3:55 p.m.

Sometimes, Amtrak trains stop to allow freight trains right of way, because of this late arrivals are common.

Cost Compared to Airfare

Fares for Amtrak and air travel vary greatly by season. Those looking for smaller investments of time and money will prefer air.

But coach seats on Amtrak sometimes are cheaper than on an airline. One example: a search for late-August from Chicago to Whitefish round trip on Amtrak (coach) was $286, while the cheapest roundtrip airfare from nearby Kalispell was $336.

Roomettes, Amtrak’s sleeper accommodations, typically house one or two people, although a few “family bedroom” suites will sleep two adults and two children. Some include private toilets.

Most roomettes include two seats and a table by day. Seats fold into a lower bed at night. An overhead bunk folds down from the ceiling, with bathroom and shower facilities down the hall. Roomette rates include full-course meals in the dining car.

Sleeper accommodations vary in price according to season, trip length and facilities offered. Expect to pay between $400-$1200 for a roomette between Chicago and Whitefish, $300-$800 from Minneapolis, and $200-$500 from Portland or Seattle. 

Note that a couple traveling together only pays one accommodation charge. For example, a single round trip roomette passenger could pay $862 for Chicago-Whitefish, but a couple would pay $1,216.

Unlike airlines, free baggage allotments on Amtrak include two carry-on bags and two checked pieces. 

Ground Transportation

Each Amtrak stop offers ground transportation options, but Whitefish connections are easiest. Three major car rental companies have offices near the station. A car rental office is within a short walk of the East Glacier platform. Izaak Walton Inn at Essex operates a small car rental operation for guests.

Whitefish Shuttle offers daily service between Whitefish hotels or bike rental shops and the park. The roundtrip rate is $75/person.

There are two shuttle operations within Glacier Park. One operates through a private vendor for a fee , while the other is a free shuttle from the park service that connects points of interest. Check availability for these seasonal services.

Accommodations

The park service operates eight lodges and two backcountry chalets. These accommodations tend to fill up months in advance, especially during the summer season so be sure to reserve far enough in advance.Whitefish also has plenty of hotels, lodges and B&B accommodations. Some inns also provide transportation to-and-from the Amtrak station.

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This 13-day Train Trip Will Take You to 5 National Parks Across the U.S.

See the American West in style.

Vacations by Rail invites you to take the slow route to see a few of America's most beautiful national parks .

The vacation company is well-known for its delightful trips by train across the globe, but one of its most popular journeys is its 13-day trip through the American West to visit five stellar national parks along the way.

The trip begins at Chicago's Union Station, where guests will board Amtrak's Empire Builder train and settle into their accommodations. They'll take the overnight train to the first official stop at Glacier National Park. Guests will have time to explore the park, hike through its awe-inspiring terrain, and see its 25 glaciers, hundreds of lakes, and flowing waterfalls. And in the mid-morning, guests will take a vintage open-air Red Jammer bus for a tour of the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road while they cross the Continental Divide.

From there, the journey continues to Yellowstone National Park. At the park, guests will get the chance to tour its famed attractions, including Upper and Lower Falls, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pots, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

The trip next takes guests to Grand Teton National Park for a float along the Snake River. On the water, guests can view the glorious Teton mountain range and maybe even spot a few bison, elk, and moose along the way.

The trip concludes with a visit to Utah to see both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, where guests can enjoy the gorgeous natural arches, red rocks, and incredible, vibrantly colorful sunsets.

The trip includes all rail travel, hotel accommodations for 12 nights (including four nights at Glacier Park Lodge or Grouse Mountain Lodge and two nights inside Yellowstone National Park), excursions and national park entrance fees, and all meals on board the train when guests upgrade to private sleeping accommodations.

The 13-day trip begins at $5,695 per person (double occupancy). There are still a few spots left for the June departure, but for more flexibility, check out its 2024 calendar , which includes departures June through September.

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Glacier National Park tours & trips

Welcome to the Crown of the Continent

Perched high on the border of northwestern Montana and Canada , with a dramatic landscape carved and shaped by the Ice Age, Glacier National Park is nothing short of majestic. Living up to its royal nickname, the park boasts an impressive amount of jewel-toned lakes, jagged, towering mountains, shimmering waterfalls and, of course, glaciers. Exploration in the park is seemingly endless, and from the hair-raising Going-to-the-Sun Road to the 1,100 km of hiking trails to the valleys teeming with free-roaming wildlife, it's an outdoor lover's bucket list just waiting to be ticked. What are you waiting for?

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Glacier national park travel faqs, where is glacier national park.

Glacier National Park is located in Montana, in the northwestern portion of the United States.

How do I get to Glacier National Park?

If you travel from other states or from overseas, the park conveniently has its own airport — Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), located in Kalispell, MT. Just a handful of cities in the US have direct flights to FCA (Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver and Phoenix, to name a few), but park visitors can still easily reach the airport from other major cities with a layover or two. The airport is expanding its range of direct flights as the park's popularity continues to grow.

If a road trip is more your vibe, Glacier NP is about a 10-hour drive from both Seattle and Portland, 4 hours from Spokane, and 3 hours from Calgary, AB.

For the most scenic route to the park, you can hop aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder train that travels from Chicago to Seattle, stopping in East Glacier, West Glacier and Whitefish.

When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?

The best time to visit Glacier National Park to experience the widest array of activities is between July and September. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is typically fully open by early to mid-July, and most of the hiking trails will be accessible and snow-free. Wildflowers bloom in August, giving the mountainsides a vibrant wash of color.

What to pack for a trip to Glacier National Park

If you plan on hiking in Glacier, you'll need a sturdy pair of well-fitting hiking boots, a mixture of waterproof layers, a water bottle or bladder and a camera. The area has an abundance of refreshing lakes, so if you plan on taking a dip, add a swimsuit and a pair of sandals to your packing list.

Before embarking on an active outdoor adventure, make sure to read the Essential Trip Information section of your itinerary for a better idea of what's provided and what you'll need to bring.

What kind of wildlife is in Glacier National Park?

Glacier's diverse ecosystem is home to dozens of species, but the most popular animals to spot are bighorn sheep, mountain goats and moose. Glacier also has one of the largest populations of grizzly bears in the contiguous United States, so be sure to brush up on bear safety before hitting the trails. It's always good practice to stay alert, keep bear spray handy and secure your food and garbage.

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travelers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Get smartphone savvy the easy way: Join our seven-day email challenge to receive helpful tips each day.

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I Love Train Travel, and These Trips Are on My Bucket List

These five trains carry you straight to national parks.

Laura Kiniry,

When Amtrak’s Empire Builder train pulled into Montana’s East Glacier Park station, the view was unlike anything I had ever seen. There stood a stunning century-old lodge built from Douglas fir timbers, and behind it, a row of snow-speckled mountains made the grand structure look minute. Above it all hung a sky so big and blue that I simply stared in awe. The magnitude of this magical place at that moment in 1998 left an indelible impression on me. This was my introduction to Glacier National Park , the Crown of the Continent. It was also my first-ever trip on a long-distance overnight train .

In the decades since, I’ve traveled by train every chance I get: crossing the Australian outback aboard the iconic Indian Pacific, traveling through Norway’s breathtaking fjord landscape on the Flåm Railway and booking a sleeping berth for the nearly 10-hour journey from Bangkok to Surat Thani, a coastal city in southern Thailand. I’ve taken trains on five continents and crossed most all of the U.S. by rail numerous times. I find the rhythm of the tracks relaxing and love looking out the window at what’s basically a real-life moving picture show. There are also my fellow passengers, many of whom love train travel as much as I do. We often spend an hour or two swapping stories about our favorite railway journeys.

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While I’ve driven to Glacier National Park a couple of times in the years since that first visit, nothing beats my Amtrak arrival. In fact, the Great Northern Railway built the park’s hotels specifically to house visitors arriving by train. Disembarking at the East Glacier Park depot feels like going back in time to another era, a nostalgic journey that begins the moment you step on the railway platform and continues while you enjoy the park’s glacial lakes and hiking trails. 

According to AARP’s 2024 Travel Trends Survey , 63 percent of travelers 50-plus are planning to take only domestic trips this year. Why not do so via train and swap long airport layovers, hefty gas prices and hours behind a steering wheel for jaw-dropping views instead? Now that I’m 50, I prefer this slowed-down form of travel even more than I did a decade or two ago. The seats are often comfy, and with much more space than a typical economy plane ticket, I can get up and stretch as much as I like. Plus, with someone else navigating, I’ve got plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Although I can cross the Empire Builder experience off my list, here are some epic train rides I’m ready to explore that take riders right to the doorstep of some of the United States’ most spectacular national parks — which happen to be another one of my favorite things.

Denali Star Train to Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

As Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, the Denali Star pulls out all the stops along its 356-mile journey — a service that runs daily, from May 9 through mid-September. Of course, the route’s shining star is Denali National Park and Preserve , 6 million acres of remote wilderness filled with boreal forest, alpine tundra and white-capped peaks, reachable in just over six hours from Anchorage, the line’s southern terminus, and less than four hours from Fairbanks in the north.

On a clear day, passengers traveling south of the town of Talkeetna should be able to spot the 20,310-foot-tall Denali — the highest peak in North America — rising above the Susitna River. Although the train’s adventure class offers superb picture window views, the GoldStar Service railway cars feature glass-dome ceilings and an upper-level outdoor viewing platform, ensuring that you’ll have every chance to bask in Denali’s beauty. This premium class also includes a full-service dining room and an onboard Alaskan tour guide who can answer questions like “Is that a black bear or a grizzly?”

For those looking to spend a couple of days exploring Denali, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is just a mile outside the park’s entrance and offers rail tour packages that include transfers and baggage handling to and from the train depot. 

Cost: Prices start at $67 for adults in adventure class between Fairbanks and Denali during May and September, then increase depending on the mileage covered, the class and the specific dates (June through August is high season).

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Grand Canyon Railway to Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

A ride aboard the Grand Canyon Railway is a journey through the Old West, and one I’ve been itching to take for a while now. Beginning in the town of Williams, Arizona, restored vintage railcars carry passengers on a winding 65 miles toward the South Rim of the steep-sided, river-carved Grand Canyon , traversing high desert prairie and portions of the largest ponderosa pine forest on the planet. Along the way, singing cowboys and cowgirls entertain you, musicians play fiddle and banjo, and an occasional “train robbery” occurs.

Holland America Line

Up to $200 onboard credit on select cruises

The railway features six classes of service, ranging from Pullman class with bench-style seats and open windows to a plush parlor car, serving cocktails and snacks en route. Diesel locomotives do the heavy lifting, though the railway also runs an historic steam locomotive on select dates.

The Grand Canyon Depot is just down the hill from the El Tovar Hotel , which sits perched on the canyon’s rim. Or opt for a railway getaway package that includes a night at the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Williams, with free time to explore the canyon.

Cost: Adult fares range from $70 (Pullman class) to $240 (parlor), depending on the class.

Amtrak Empire Builder to Glacier National Park, Montana

Amtrak’s northernmost long-distance route — and in my experience, one of its most spectacular — offers passengers the best of the American West, with views of the mighty Mississippi, North Dakota’s wide-open plains and Montana’s Big Sky country. Trains originate in Chicago in the east and both Seattle and Portland, Oregon, in the west, the latter two meeting up in Spokane, Washington, and reaching Glacier National Park in the morning. Although the seats in coach class are comfy, book an en suite Superliner bedroom — complete with complimentary meals and seating that transforms into overnight berths — for the full experience.

Passengers can disembark at Amtrak’s West Glacier station or East Glacier Park station, both of which offer lodging (West Glacier has the bulk of the options) and bookable activities like a ranger-led hike from Lake McDonald or a full-day tour aboard one of the park’s classic red “jammer” buses.

Cost: Ticket prices vary according to the day, length of trip and class of travel, but Amtrak offers a 10 percent discount on all routes for people 65 and older.

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Rocky Mountaineer to Moab, Utah

The Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks route takes passengers into the heart of the American Southwest, traversing past deep canyons, rising archways and dramatic desert landscapes before reaching Moab, Utah, the gateway to both Arches and Canyonlands national parks. The two-day trip — which launched in 2021 and has been on my wish list ever since — can begin in Denver (though it’s offered in both directions). The train travels alongside the Colorado River and toward the Continental Divide before reaching Glenwood Springs , Colorado, a town famous for its hot mineral waters, where travelers stay overnight. Starting the following morning, the train passes through colorful canyons and by sandstone peaks en route to its final destination.

Both breakfast and lunch onboard the train are complimentary and include ingredients that are locally sourced. What’s more: Meals are delivered right to you, so you can savor coffee, croissants and picture window views without leaving your seat. An onboard host shares facts and tidbits about some of the region’s most majestic sights — such as 6,765-foot-tall Mount Garfield, a landmark of Colorado’s Grand Valley — as you go.

The Mountaineer also offers longer-stay package deals, including a two-night in Moab combo.

Cost: While prices for tour packages depend on the date, the Denver to Moab train starts at $1,699 per person.

Amtrak Lincoln Service to Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri

It’s about a five-hour journey between Chicago and the country’s smallest national park: the 91-acre Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Consider splurging on business class for the 284-mile journey. Not only do the seats have a bit more legroom but tea and coffee are complimentary and you’ll have a dedicated Amtrak service attendant.

Catch a morning train and you can make it to Missouri’s second-largest city around noon. Spend the afternoon exploring the Gateway Arch — a 630-foot-tall concrete and steel icon built as a monument to westward expansion — and its surroundings. These include the Explorers’ Garden, brimming with plants such as wild onion, purple coneflower and yarrow detailed by Lewis and Clark in their expedition journals.

Just under 1.5 miles from the park, the St. Louis train depot is an easy distance to the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, a great place to bed down. Some rooms even offer views into Busch Stadium, where you can catch a home game for Major League Baseball’s Cardinals.

Note: Amtrak’s Lincoln Service uses the same route as its Texas Eagle, which I first took years ago between Chicago and Austin, Texas. This stunner of a train ride continues west from Texas to Los Angeles.

Cost: One-way coach-class tickets can be as low as $25 midweek, with business class starting at $65. Amtrak offers a 10 percent discount on all routes for people 65 and older.

Laura Kiniry is a San Francisco–based freelance journalist with a love of trains and the outdoors. Her next rail journey is aboard Vietnam’s Reunification Express.

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Adventure-of-a-lifetime drive from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park

This Big Sky Country road trip includes waterfalls, ghost towns, herds of bison, and mysterious piles of rocks that make music

By Roadtrippers

Montana is home to both Glacier National Park and parts of Yellowstone, making it a popular destination for roadtrippers. But don’t sleep on the amazing places that can be found between the two parks, including waterfalls, ghost towns, herds of bison, campgrounds, and mysterious piles of rocks that make music. In addition, the national parks offer scenic drives, hot springs, geysers, electric blue lakes, and more. 

Here are 14 must-see stops in Big Sky Country from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park.

1. Yellowstone National Park

Kick off your adventure of a lifetime in one of the most iconic national parks in the country. The very first U.S. national park is visited by millions of people from around the world each year. Larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined, with more than a dozen world-class campgrounds and thousands of miles of hiking trails, Yellowstone has something for everyone. The park is famous for its diverse geology and animal life, and visitors can glimpse bison, moose, elk, and hundreds of species of birds and mammals with a cruise through the Lamar Valley. Don’t forget to visit Old Faithful, marvel at the Grand Prismatic, walk among bubbling mud pots, and soak in the hot springs along the Firehole River.

2. Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA Holiday

Your gateway to Yellowstone National Park, the Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA Holiday is the perfect place to call home during your stay in Montana. This award-winning KOA property backs up to over 500 feet of Yellowstone River beauty and offers the perfect mix of privacy, comfort, and access to all the incredible sights and activities nearby. Less than 10 miles from I-90, you’ll be able to easily make it to Yellowstone National Park and other attractions, while spending your nights in nature. Need a place to kick back and relax after a long day? Roast s’mores over a campfire, take a swim in the heated pool, or watch the local wildlife.

3. Palisade Falls

A quick trek up this popular and breathtaking trail offers an incredible view of the stunning Palisade Falls . Much of the 1.1-mile trail in the Hyalite Recreation Area is paved, so the hike is suitable for most people, regardless of fitness level. The views are quite popular, and the trail is close to the charming town of Bozeman, so if you want to avoid the crowds, start your adventure early. Have four-legged friends with you? You can bring them along, as long as they’re leashed.

4. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

Wander through the caverns at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park to observe and experience limestone formations in one of Montana’s most popular state parks. A guided tour will give you an inside look at unique geological structures. Examine stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites as you duck, waddle, bend, and slide through the cave. Kids will get to ride the famous Beaver Slide, and everyone should keep their eyes peeled for bats.

5. Ringing Rocks

Located about 20 miles east of Butte, Montana’s Ringing Rocks feature a pile of rocks that give off unique sounds when struck. It’s believed that the sounds evolve as the rocks erode, so every visit will produce a different noise. Make sure to bring a hammer or some kind of metal object to (gently) play the rocks with, as these give off the clearest sound. If you wish to drive to the Ringing Rocks, you’ll need a high-clearance vehicle, but the rocks are also accessible by a 1-mile walk.

6. Old Montana Prison 

One of five museums in the complex that includes the Auto Museum, Frontier Montana, Yesterday’s Playthings, Powell County Museum, and The Yellowstone Trail, the Old Prison Museum is a must-visit for all history buffs. The Old Montana Prison operated from 1871 until the 1970s, and the museum offers guided and self-guided tours seasonally. 

7. Garnet Ghost Town

Teleport into the past with a stop at one of Montana’s best-preserved ghost towns. Garnet was once a thriving town, filled with gold miners hoping to strike it rich. In 1898, more than 100 people called Garnet home. Today, it sits empty in a state of preserved ruin. Spend the day getting a feel for how the gold miners lived in their small, connected community. If you’re up for a little exercise, take the .75-mile walk to Warren’s Park for a picnic.

8. Missoula KOA Holiday

Don’t miss the “last best place” for western Montana camping at the modern and gorgeous Missoula KOA Holiday. Surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains and offering all the amenities you’d expect from a KOA property, the Missoula KOA Holiday is the perfect place to enjoy a heated pool, take a rental bike for a spin, or have a mini golf showdown; there’s plenty here to keep the entire group entertained. Best yet, Missoula KOA Holiday is just a quick drive to shopping, restaurants, and other fun activities for the entire family, including the Smokejumpers Museum, National Bison Range, and the ghost town of Garnet.

9. Garden of One Thousand Buddhas

Founded by Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche, a Tibetan master, the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is a spiritual site located near the town of Arlee. The spot was allegedly chosen by Gochen after he recalled a prophetic dream from his childhood, which resembled the land in Montana. At the center of the Buddhas is a 24-foot-tall figure of Yum Chenmo, The Great Mother of Transcendent Wisdom. The Buddhas are arranged in the shape of an eight-spoked Dharma wheel around Yum Chenmo. In addition to the 1,000 Buddhas, 1,000 stupas surmount the two exterior throne walls, creating the outer rim of the Dharma wheel, or Dharmachakra, designed to inspire joy, wisdom, and compassion.

10. National Bison Range

Established in 1908 to provide refuge for American bison, the National Bison Range (NBR) is home to a large herd of the majestic animals. The NBR is one of the oldest National Wildlife Refuge centers and is an incredible place to see bison, deer, and elk roam free. A herd of up to 500 roves across 18,000 acres. Stop at the visitor center for advice on the best place to spy the bison, and then make a point to cruise one or both of the two scenic drives through the range. If you wish to avoid the crowds, be sure to start your adventure early, as the NBR is a popular destination.

11. Miracle of America Museum

Home to one of the largest collections of ephemeral American history, the Miracle of America Museum is a can’t-miss for anyone interested in the quirky side of the country’s history. Founded in 1981 by Gil and Joanne Mangels, the museum is home to thousands of artifacts throughout dozens of buildings. The museum contains everything from Native American artifacts and military weapons to old-school bicycles, motorcycles, aircraft, and more; there’s plenty to keep everyone engaged and entertained. 

12. Wild Horse Island State Park 

At more than 2,000 acres, Wild Horse Island State Park is the largest island in a freshwater lake west of Minnesota. Home to bighorn sheep, mule, deer, songbirds, and a wide variety of endangered plant species, you’ll be admiring the nature around you for hours. With fishing, hiking, boating, and kayaking available, there’s plenty to delay your trip from coming to a close. 

13. West Glacier KOA Resort

Just 2.5 miles from the West Glacier KOA Resort is the entrance to the stunning Glacier National Park ; you can be up and exploring the park in less than an hour. With your choice of traditional lodging, RV campsites, and secluded tent spots, there’s an option for every kind of camper. Explore the towns of Bigfork, Whitefish, and Kalispell, which are just a short drive from the campground, or spend an afternoon at nearby Flathead Lake with its famously crystal-clear water. With gorgeous mountain views, the smell of pine blowing through the air, and incredibly helpful staff, you can’t go wrong with a few nights at the West Glacier KOA Resort.

14. Glacier National Park

There’s no better way to end your adventure than by making your final stop at the breathtaking Glacier National Park . There are so many famously-beautiful sites in the park, you could visit several times and still not see it all. Take a tour on a red, 1930s-era “jammer” bus, pick huckleberries, hike to Grinnell Lake, and boat on St. Mary Lake or Lake McDonald. Before you call it a day, be sure to take a scenic drive on Going-to-the-Sun-Road, which connects the east and west sides of the park. If you’re visiting during peak season, you may need a reservation to enter some of the most popular areas of the park, so make sure to check the national park website before planning your trip.

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6 Top Luxury Alaska Cruises for 2024 & Beyond

C ruising to Alaska on a small luxury ship affords a very different experience than sailing through The Great Land on a larger vessel. On a smaller luxury ship, you'll enjoy the expected perks like fewer passengers and more personalized service – but you'll also physically get closer to the boundless wilderness, abundant wildlife, icy blue glaciers and majestic snow-capped mountains that you've waited a lifetime to see.

While the fares to sail on such vessels are quite a bit higher than those of larger cruise providers, the all-inclusive (or mostly all-inclusive) prices typically include all-suite accommodations with balconies, all meals, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi access, gratuities, welcome bottles of sparkling wine, pillow selection, some shore excursions and butler service. Best of all, you won't feel like you're being nickel-and-dimed while on board. As a special touch, the attentive crew members may even learn your name and memorize your preferred pre-dinner cocktail.

Unlike many mainstream lines, most luxury Alaska cruises do not offer pre- and post-cruise tours to extend your adventure. However, you can plan these experiences on your own through third-party providers.

Alaska Tour & Travel has pre-cruise packages that include visits to Denali National Park & Preserve and the small, quirky Alaska towns of Homer and Talkeetna. You can also see a different side of Alaska via a train ride on the Alaska Railroad, take a national parks tour that includes Kenai Fjords National Park or head northbound to Fairbanks , one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights (if you visit during aurora season, from late August to late April). In addition, the company can plan a self-drive tour from Anchorage to Seward, which includes a stay at a wilderness lodge, helicopter flightseeing over Knik Glacier and guided tours in the parks.

The following luxury cruise lines will ensure you make the most of your voyage in Alaska – one of the most magical destinations on Earth.

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Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises' small luxury ships are designed for adventurers interested in visiting a mix of Alaska's top ports and more rugged, off-the-beaten-track locales. Extended itineraries offer stops in less-visited destinations like the towns of Haines and Wrangell. On board, guests can expect a personalized experience that includes luxurious ocean-view suites with butler service, multiple gourmet dining options, complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and attentive service with one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the industry.

Base fares for Silversea's 2024 and 2025 Alaska itineraries start at $3,250 per person. If you upgrade to Silversea 's door-to-door fare (which starts at $5,200 per person), you'll receive private chauffeur service from your home to the airport (and back home upon your return) and round-trip flights, with business class upgrades in some destinations.

Silversea also offers immersive pre- and post-cruise land experiences, departing from Seward, Alaska. Highlights include sightseeing flights over Denali National Park & Preserve or into bear country to see Alaska's magnificent grizzly bears. In Vancouver, travelers can take a flightseeing transfer to Victoria to tour the 55-acre Butchart Gardens or board the Rocky Mountaineer for a two-day train ride through the Canadian Rockies.

Silversea's Alaska itineraries extend from May to September, with voyages ranging between seven and 16 days. The line's newest and largest vessel, the 728-passenger Silver Nova , sails its inaugural Alaska season in 2024 along with two smaller ships, Silver Muse (596 guests) and Silver Shadow (392 guests). There are 35 Alaska voyages available in 2024. In 2025, luxury cruisers can hop aboard one of 45 scheduled voyages on either Silver Nova or the 596-guest Silver Moon .

For a seven-day itinerary, consider a sailing from Seward, Alaska, to Vancouver, British Columbia. This voyage cruises the Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage and stops in the Alaska towns of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Ketchikan. Complimentary excursions in Ketchikan include a tour of Saxman Native Village; a visit to Bonfire Bay Oyster Farm, featuring a sea-to-table oyster tasting; the Alaskan Cultural, Culinary & Lumberjack show; the Alaskan Lodge Adventure & Seafeast and a day as a fisherman aboard the Aleutian Ballard, as seen on Discovery Channel's "The Deadliest Catch." You can also opt for a Selected Shore Excursion (for an additional cost), such as mountain biking or a private fishing trip.

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' elegant Seven Seas Explorer sails the line's Alaska itineraries in 2024 and 2025. The lavish 746-guest ship was coined "The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built" when it debuted in 2016; among its impressive features are the 3,875-square-foot Regent Suite and a high-end collection of art displayed throughout the ship, including works by Pablo Picasso.

Alaska voyages with Regent in 2024 and 2025 start at $4,799 per person. Upgraded 2-for-1 all-inclusive fares (starting at $5,499 per person) cover elegant all-balcony suite accommodations; round-trip airfare (business class on international flights); a one-night pre-cruise hotel package; free two- or three-night land programs; free unlimited shore excursions; free unlimited beverages (alcoholic and nonalcoholic); complimentary specialty dining; and prepaid gratuities. You'll also receive complimentary airport transfers, unlimited Wi-Fi access and valet laundry service.

Every suite style includes a private balcony, roomy closets and upscale finishes. Concierge Suites (and above) add cozy in-room amenities like cashmere blankets, perfect to bundle up in while you take in the scenery. Meanwhile, Penthouse Suites (and higher) include a private butler who can book excursions, make dinner and spa reservations, unpack your luggage, arrange for a private cocktail soiree in your suite and indulge any other special requests.

Between May and September 2024, Regent sails 22 Alaska voyages. There are 16 Alaska sailings scheduled for the same period in 2025. Itineraries range from seven to 14 nights. For plenty of scenic cruising days, consider a round-trip itinerary from Vancouver departing May 28, 2025. The cruise includes five relaxing days at sea, where you'll enjoy scenic cruising through the Inside Passage (twice), Hubbard Glacier (twice) and Endicott Arm Fjord. Ports of call in Alaska include Wrangell, Juneau , Skagway, Sitka, Seward, Icy Strait (Hoonah) and Ketchikan. You'll also have a full day in Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to Vancouver.

While in Wrangell, consider the Tongass Botanical Forest Walk excursion. Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the U.S., with towering old-growth trees and unique flora, fauna and ecosystems. While in the temperate rainforest with your naturalist guide, look for local wildlife like Sitka black-tailed deer, porcupines and birds of prey. Other complimentary excursions at this stop include a round of golf at Muskeg Meadows Golf Course; a canoe trip through Wrangell harbor and nearby islands, and a heritage tour about Tlingit culture and the history of the town.

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Recently relaunched Crystal offers just seven voyages in Alaska aboard Crystal Serenity in July and August 2024. The 740-guest luxury vessel was refurbished in 2023 and features the line's signature top-notch service, elegant interiors and suites, and personal butler service in every room category.

Other perks and amenities include plush bathrobes and Sicily's Ortigia bath products; an impressive passenger-to-crew ratio; prepaid gratuities; complimentary beverages; and outstanding cuisine, including Umi Uma (an exclusive Nobu restaurant at sea, available only on Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony ). Guests can also feast on Italian cuisine at Osteria d'Ovidio; book an exclusive dining experience at The Vintage Room; indulge in Parisian cafe-style fare at The Bistro; opt for American cuisine at Waterside Restaurant or take their pick of several other casual indoor and alfresco options.

Cruisers also have their selection of unique shore experiences curated by Crystal's parent company A&K Travel Group, such as a ride on the world's largest zip line in Hoonah (Icy Strait Point); dog sledding and glacier flightseeing in Skagway; fishing and wilderness dining in Ketchikan and the Wildlife Quest and Fin Island Lodge experience in Sitka, boasting a feast of Alaska king crab and wild salmon.

Crystal offers seven- and eight-night round-trip voyages from Vancouver , as well as one-way cruises from Vancouver or Seward, Alaska. Select itineraries – like the July 30, 2024, voyage from Vancouver to Seward – offer a scenic cruising day in the Seymour Narrows in British Columbia. On this sailing, you'll also enjoy a day at sea cruising Hubbard Glacier, as well as stops in Ketchikan, Sitka, Hoonah (Icy Strait), Skagway and Sitka in Alaska. Or, opt for the July 2, 2024, round-trip sailing from Vancouver for three scenic cruising days in the Inside Passage, Endicott Arm and the Seymour Narrows.

The line's Aug. 13, 2024, round-trip sailing from Vancouver features a special guest: Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, the executive chairman of A&K Travel Group. As such, the cruise will include an exclusive gala dinner and other unique experiences. Other special voyages welcome marine biologist and National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin, who will share personal stories from his extensive career and expert insights about humpback whale habitats and behaviors.

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Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises' 11-day Alaska & the Inside Passage cruise is available on 11 dates during the 2024 season. It sails from Vancouver to Seward (or the reverse) on the 930-passenger Viking Orion . In 2025, the line offers the same itinerary on 22 dates between May and September, split between Viking Orion and its sister ship, the 930-passenger Viking Sea .

Viking's destination-focused itineraries are curated for travelers who are interested in history, science, culture and cuisine, as they feature onboard enrichment like lectures by Viking's resident historians. You'll also find regionally inspired dishes in The Restaurant and special access to unique tours and excursions ashore.

The line's mostly all-inclusive fares cover accommodations in spacious all-veranda staterooms and suites; beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; meals at all the dining venues; one shore excursion in every port; free Wi-Fi access; 24-hour specialty teas, coffees and bottled water; complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center; and other upscale amenities.

Voyages traveling northbound from Vancouver include one day of scenic cruising through the Inside Passage before stopping in Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point in Alaska. The eighth day of the cruise sails through picturesque Yakutat Bay, which includes the Hubbard Glacier. The ship then calls on Valdez, Alaska, before the trip ends with two days in Seward.

While in Valdez, take an optional tour to explore the incredible scenery surrounding the small fishing town. Viking offers a kayaking trip to see the Valdez Glacier; a scenic cruise through picturesque Prince William Sound to view the Columbia Glacier; a wildlife cruise where you can look for humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, sea otters and bald eagles; a helicopter ride over the area's rugged, icy wilderness; or a UTV adventure through the Chugach Mountains to Mineral Creek Canyon.

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Seabourn Cruise Line

Between May and August 2024, Seabourn Cruise Line will host 20 Alaska voyages aboard the Seabourn Odyssey , before the ship leaves the cruise line in the fall. In 2025, the line offers 27 Alaska sailings on Seabourn Quest. Both yacht-inspired ships accommodate up to 458 guests and feature Seabourn's signature all-inclusive amenities, including luxurious oceanfront suites with verandas; personalized service; complimentary fine wines and premium spirits; complimentary dining; and caviar served throughout the sailing. You'll also have a complimentary W-Fi package and an in-suite minibar stocked with your favorite beverages. Ashore, sign up for exclusive programs like shopping for fresh salmon, halibut and Alaska king crab alongside a Seabourn chef.

Guests booking Seabourn Quest for 2025 will be able to sample the line's new dining concept, Solis. Inspired by destinations in the Mediterranean, the menu features a fresh, modern take on traditional dishes and whimsical cocktails. The restaurant is a collaboration with master chef and culinary partner Anton Egger and senior corporate chef Franck Salein. In addition to dishes like salt-encrusted whole branzino and Tuscan-style steak, guests will also find a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes.

The seven-day Alaska Fjords & Canadian Inside Passage itinerary on May 31, 2024, aboard Seabourn Odyssey, sails from Juneau to Vancouver and includes a day in either Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm, depending on the ice conditions. From there, you can take one of the optional guided excursions: Ventures by Seabourn. These tours are an additional cost but offer opportunities for up-close Zodiac, kayaking or catamaran experiences in the wilderness to see glaciers calving and view local wildlife, such as black bears, mountain goats, seals, wolves and seabirds.

You'll also enjoy many days of scenic cruising on this voyage, and have the opportunity for more optional adventures in Rudyerd Bay (Misty Fjords). The ship makes additional stops in Wrangell, Alaska, and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, before disembarking in Vancouver.

If you want to see stunning Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, then consider booking the seven-day Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier Bay sailing on May 10, 2024, from Vancouver to Juneau. This itinerary also includes the Seymour Narrows and Snow Pass, cruising Queen Island Sound and the Lynn Canal. There's a stop for Ventures by Seabourn activities like kayaking and Zodiac rides in the Inian Islands. The Alaska ports of call on this voyage are Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Haines. You'll disembark in Juneau.

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French luxury expedition line PONANT offers 10 Alaska cruises in 2024; itineraries span between seven and 11 nights. Aboard the 264-guest yacht-style Le Soléal, you'll meet up to 10 naturalist experts and guides specializing in geology, history, ornithology or marine or land mammals. Guests can attend onboard lectures and embark on Zodiac landings with the guides.

The ship features elegant staterooms and suites, a library, a spa, a hair salon and a gym. Guests will be treated to movies in the theater, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations throughout the expedition. All fine dining meals, 24-hour room service, an open bar (including an in-room minibar) and complimentary and unlimited Wi-Fi access are covered in the pricing.

Two of PONTANT's eight-night voyages from Vancouver to Sitka are in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys and are curated for English-speaking travelers. Fares for these expeditions include transfers to and from the ship and a shore excursion in each port. On board, you can attend talks and discussions hosted by two Smithsonian Journeys experts: geologist Scott Burns and natural history filmmaker John Grabowska.

On these voyages, there is a sea day after departing Vancouver. You'll cruise through the Johnstone Strait, where you'll have an excellent chance of seeing humpback whales and orcas. After a day spent in the Inside Passage, the ship will call on the village of Metlakatla, Alaska, on the western coast of Annette Island, which is home to the Tsimshians from British Columbia. Other unique Alaska ports of call in this itinerary include the commercial fishing town of Petersburg, the Tlingit village of Kake and the small fishing community of Alfin Cove.

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Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is a U.S. News & World Report contributor and an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times both by land and sea to explore the state's vast wilderness and abundant wildlife, and to chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. Pratesi used her extensive knowledge of Alaska and the cruise industry to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Alaska Cruise Packing List: Must-Have Items
• The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises
• The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
• The Best Alaska Cruise Lines
• The Best Alaska Cruises for Families

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

• Outdoor Adventure
• National and State Parks

This National Park In Canada Is Famous For Majestic Mountains And Vibrant Blue Waters

Some Canadian destinations look straight out of a postcard — and Banff National Park is one of them. Its snow-capped mountains tower over the region, with jagged peaks piercing into the sky. Meanwhile, its 100-million-year-old glaciers feed into the surrounding lakes, giving them a bright blue color. Every twist and turn is filled with stunning scenery. But while photos can give you a taste of Banff's beauty, nothing compares to the real thing.

Canada is no stranger to national parks. Banff, located in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, is surrounded by them, with Jasper to the north and the less-crowded Yoho National Park to the west. However, Banff is unique in that it was Canada's first national park, founded in 1885. Ultimately, it's a nature-lovers paradise, full of adventure and Instagrammable locations. As such, it's no surprise that the area receives over 4 million visitors annually, according to the Town of Banff . But while the national park may be touristy, it lives up to the hype — especially if you're a fan of mountains, lakes, and beautiful vistas. You just need to know what to see and how to make the most of your visit.

Note: Banff National Park experienced a wildfire in late July 2024 . Additional wildfires resulted in the closure of nearby Jasper National Park; however, as of August 1, conditions in Banff remained safe for visitors, according to tourism officials (via Global News ). Always check the trail and road conditions before heading out.

What to see in Banff National Park

You can't visit Banff without touring its most scenic attractions, many of which are mountains and lakes. On your very first day, access one of the best vantage points possible by taking the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. Once you arrive, explore the boardwalk before climbing the summit for 360-degree views.

You'll be able to see six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley from Sulphur Mountain, but we highly recommend descending to witness the stunning Lake Louise up close. The glacial silt in Lake Louise is particularly prevalent, giving it a striking turquoise color. You can canoe across it in summer or ice skate in winter. If you're visiting during the warmer months, you should also take a cruise on Lake Minnewanka and book a sunrise tour of Moraine Lake. Just as the ski town of Whistler is worth visiting in the summertime , Banff is magical in all seasons, and regardless of when you visit, a popular hiking trip through Johnston Canyon is an absolute must.

Want to capture the perfect image of Banff National Park? Head to Morant's Curve. This viewpoint overlooks the bright blue Bow River with the mountains in the background. If timing is on your side, you might catch the red Canadian Pacific train passing by for a truly iconic photograph. But there's something even better than snapping photos of trains in this setting: being on one.

The best ways to travel through Banff National Park

There's something romantic about taking the train, especially through picturesque regions like Banff National Park. Plus, from the comfort of your cozy seat, you'll be able to fully absorb all the beautiful scenery. Luckily, trains pass through this park, but you'll need to plan ahead. Fresh Tracks Canada offers vacation packages through the Rockies from April through October. Prices typically cover accommodation with options to stay overnight in Banff town.

Another option to explore Banff National Park is to take a guided tour. This takes the pressure off planning, and most full-day sightseeing tours of the park hit many of the best attractions. With guided tours, you also don't have to worry about parking, which can be troublesome in tourist hotspots.

If you prefer having full control of your itinerary and taking your sweet time at each location, a road trip might be the best option. Make sure you check driving conditions and road closures and are well-prepared for the time of year. And of course, plan your route so you don't miss top sights like the Vermillion Lakes or Lake Louise Ski Resort. The Icefields Parkway is one of the most popular roadways, connecting Banff and Jasper National Park. ( As of early August 2024, the part of Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Saskatchewan Crossing was closed due to wildfires. ) If you have a couple of days, stop along the road's best attractions like the Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint or Peyto Lake.

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