Planning a national park trip on Amtrak? Some parks are much easier to get to than others, with only a short drive, guided tour, or a shuttle needed. Other national parks involve five-hour drives or bus rides after getting off the train, which may not be your preferred experience.
To make planning easier, we’ve compiled a list of national parks that are easiest to reach by train. We’ve included each park’s nearest Amtrak station, plus details on how to get from the train to the park entrance.
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Criteria for selecting the best national parks to reach on Amtrak
These national parks were selected based on the following criteria:
- Distance from the Amtrak station (drive time less than 2 hours)
- Train arrival times at the closest station
- Reliable transportation options such as shuttles, guided tours, and rental cars
Best National Parks to Visit by Train (Overview)
| National Park | Drive Time |
|---|---|
| Gateway Arch | 6 minutes |
| Channel Islands | 12 minutes |
| Glacier | 15 minutes |
| Indiana Dunes | 12-17 minutes |
| Rocky Mountain | 22 minutes |
| Saguaro | 25 minutes |
| New River Gorge | 30 minutes |
| Joshua Tree | 50 minutes |
| Pinnacles | 50 minutes |
| Shenandoah | 50 minutes |
| Everglades | 1 hour |
| Sequoia & Kings Canyon | 1 hour |
| Grand Canyon | 1.5 hours |
| Mount Rainier | 1.5 hours |
| North Cascades | 1.5 hours |
Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri)
Drive Time: 6 minutes
Closest Station: St. Louis
Routes: Lincoln Service, Missouri River Runner, Texas Eagle
In downtown St. Louis, the Gateway Arch National Park is home to the iconic 630-foot Gateway Arch and the historic Old Courthouse, symbolizing America’s westward expansion. You can ride the tram to the top of the Arch for panoramic views of the Mississippi River and city skyline and explore museum exhibits about Lewis and Clark. Walking time is 30 minutes from the Amtrak station, plus light rail and rideshare are transportation options, making it one of the most convenient national parks to visit without a car.
Channel Islands National Park (California)
Drive Time: 12 minutes
Closest Station: Ventura
Routes: Pacific Surfliner
Channel Islands National Park has pristine beaches, rugged cliffs, sea caves, and exceptional wildlife viewing across its five remote islands. You can reach it via the Ventura train station and a Lyft or Uber ride to Ventura Harbor. There you’ll find boat transportation and tours to the islands. Popular national park activities include hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and spotting seals, sea lions, dolphins, and seasonal whales.
Glacier National Park (Montana)
Drive Time: 15 minutes
Closest Station: West Glacier
Route: Empire Builder
Glacier National Park is one of the easiest national park to reach by train. There are three different stations near the park that have lodging and transportation options. West Glacier is closest, and there is a seasonal shuttle from the Amtrak station.You can also travel to Whitefish for rental cars, guided day trips in all seasons, and a wider variety of accommodations. Bus tours also depart from the historic Glacier Park Lodge next to the East Glacier Park station.
Indiana Dunes National Park
Drive Time: 12-17 minutes
Closest Station: New Buffalo
Routes: Blue Water, Wolverine
One of the newest national parks, Indiana Dunes is on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are beautiful water views, soaring sand dunes, and a variety of ecosystems to explore (and multiple parking lots to choose from). To get there on Amtrak, travel to New Buffalo, Michigan and rent a car with Enterprise (pick-up service is available, call ahead). Another option is to view the dunes from a boat tour that departs from the New Buffalo Harbor.
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Drive Time: 22 minutes
Closest Station: Granby
Route: California Zephyr
Explore a variety of plants, animals, and landscapes in the Rocky Mountain National Park. The Granby stop on the California Zephyr route is about a 22-minute drive away (make a reservation with Avalanche Car Rentals before your trip). If you need a car-free way to get to the park, travel to Denver instead and go on a guided day trip.
Saguaro National Park (Arizona)
Drive Time: 25 minutes
Closest Station: Tucson
Route: Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle
Saguaro National Park in Southern Arizona has giant cacti, hiking trails and stunning sunsets. You’ll need to rent a car in Tucson to get there; the nearby Enterprise office can pick you up with a reservation or check out Turo. Consider visiting the nearby Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum while you’re exploring the area. It has a zoo, botanical garden, art galleries and a museum.
New River Gorge (West Virginia)
Drive Time: Variable, based on your lodging
Closest Stations: Thurmond, Prince
Route: Cardinal
In the mountains of West Virginia, the New River Gorge National Park is a popular destination for hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and fall foliage. The Prince and Thurmond Amtrak stations are both inside the boundaries of the national park, but you’ll need to book a shuttle for transportation. We recommend exiting at the Thurmond station for a 30-minute ride to Ace Adventures Resort, which has guided park activities. You can also travel to Charleston, WV if you want to rent a car.
Joshua Tree National Park (California)
Drive Time: 50 minutes
Closest Station: Palm Springs
Route: Texas Eagle, Sunset Limited
Joshua Tree is less than an hour drive away from Palm Springs. The park is best for a day trip unless you bring camping gear and food for an overnight stay. Select the Palm Springs Spa Resort Casino Station as your final destination when booking your Amtrak tickets, which includes a bus transfer to downtown Palm Springs. Hotels closest to the bus stop (in easy walking distance) are Andreas Hotel & Spa, Hilton Palm Springs and Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs. Once in Palm Springs, you can rent a car or go on a guided day tour.
Pinnacles National Park (California)
Drive Time: 50 minutes
Closest Station: Salinas
Route: Coast Starlight
Pinnacles National Park in California is popular for its dramatic rock formations, spires, and talus caves, which attract rock climbers, hikers, and photographers. The park is also known for its diverse wildlife, including California condors, and a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs. Salinas is the closest Amtrak station, where you can rent a car with Turo or use rideshare to reach the nearby airport for traditional rental cars. Aim to visit on weekday as parking lots quickly fill up on the weekends.
Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
Drive Time: 50 minutes
Closest Station: Charlottesville
Route: Cardinal, Crescent, Northeast Regional
Take Amtrak to Charlottesville in order to visit Shenandoah National Park with a rental car. It’s an easy drive with plenty of restaurants and hotels near the Amtrak station if you need a place to stay at the start or end of your trip. You can also camp or book accommodations at lodges or cabins inside the park.
Everglades National Park (Florida)
Drive Time: 1 hour
Closest Station: Miami
Route: Floridian, Silver Meteor, Brightline, Tri-Rail
One of the most unique natural attractions in the United States, Everglades National Park can be reached by rental car or tour from Miami. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and fishing while exploring this wetland ecosystem, or just enjoy the views on a guided day trip. The best time to visit is December through April, when temperatures are milder and conditions are ideal for outdoor activities.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (California)
Drive Time: ~1 hour
Closest Station: Fresno
Route: Gold Runner
Fresno is a convenient base for visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. There are hotels, restaurants, and car rentals near the Amtrak station. You can also stay at multiple lodges inside the national park if you want more time to explore the massive glacier-carved canyon, towering sequoia groves, including the famous General Grant Tree, and scenic alpine lakes. To reach Fresno on Amtrak, book tickets on the Gold Runner train, which also stops in Sacramento, Emeryville, Oakland and Bakersfield.
Grand Canyon (Arizona)
Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Closest Station: Flagstaff
Route: Southwest Chief
Flagstaff is the closest train station to the Grand Canyon National Park. You can easily go on a guided tour from the city or rent a car for flexibility and multi-day stays in the Grand Canyon Village. There are scenic viewpoints, hiking trails, helicopter tours, and even mule rides to check out once you make it to the South Rim. Plan your trip in the spring or fall for the most comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds.
Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Closest Station: Seattle
Route: Cascades, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder
Mount Rainier National Park is a stunning destination for hiking, wildflower meadows, and breathtaking mountain views. While there isn’t an Amtrak station directly at the park, Seattle’s Union Station provides convenient access to guided day tours that take visitors from the city to the park and back in a single day. These tours are ideal for travelers who want to enjoy the park’s scenic beauty without driving or arranging complicated transportation. You can also rent a car in Tacoma or Seattle to have more freedom to explore.
North Cascades (Washington)
Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Closest Station: Bellingham
Route: Cascades
The charming town of Bellingham, Washington is a gateway to the North Cascades National Park. With a rental car (the nearby Enterprise offers pickup service), you can visit the remote area filled with rugged mountain peaks, wildlife, glaciers, and pristine alpine lakes. You can stay in Bellingham (Fairhaven Village Inn is closest to the station) and go on day trips or stay closer to the park, such as at the North Cascades Inn or in a private cabin.
More Information
- Amtrak to Yellowstone
- Amtrak to the Grand Canyon
- Amtrak trains with sleeper cars
- Amtrak’s long-distance trains: Highlights & destinations
Top photo: “Sequoia Kings Canyon – Hike to Mist Falls” by Manuel Osdoba, CC BY-SA 2.0
Last updated March 2026
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