7 beautiful lakes you can easily reach on Amtrak

There’s nothing like relaxing on or next to a lake during the summer months, and a train ride can take you there. There are many lakes across America to choose from, and we have picked out seven options for a beautiful getaway with boat rides, beaches, water sports and more. All lakes are within a 30-minute drive of Amtrak stations, and some are in walking distance!

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Lake Michigan

Chicago lakefront — *Photo by Roman Boed (Creative Commons) – Lake Michigan in Chicago*

Travel to Michigan, Illinois or Wisconsin to experience scenic Lake Michigan. For a small town getaway and an easy walk to the lakefront, travel to New Buffalo, MI (on the Wolverine route) or St. Joseph, MI (on the Pere Marquette route) — both are easy train rides from Chicago. For lake time with big city amenities, you can also enjoy Lake Michigan in Milwaukee and in Chicago (pictured above), where there are multiple beaches and ways to get on the water.

Lake Champlain

In between the Adirondack and Green Mountains, Lake Champlain is a beautiful place to visit. For easy access to the lake and a variety of accommodations, restaurants and fun things to do, travel to Burlington, Vermont. You can board the Ethan Allan Express train in New York City and Upstate New York for an arrival next to the lake and the downtown area. Visit in the summer to enjoy outdoor activities (including boat tours and day cruises) or in the fall to view the foliage.

Lake George

Also accessible via the Ethan Allen Express route, Lake George is gorgeous vacation spot in Upstate New York full of things to see and do. Popular activities include relaxing at one of the beaches, water skiing, parasailing, fishing and hiking. To get there by train, book your tickets to the Fort Edward Station and arrange for Enterprise to pick you up (or see if a Turo car can be left at the station). Once you get a car, drive time to the lake is only about 15 minutes from Enterprise. Turo is also a great option for car rentals.

Raystown Lake

In Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, Raystown Lake is a hidden gem on the Pennsylvanian Amtrak route. There are marinas, boat rentals, campgrounds, hiking trails, a beach and a variety of lodging options. You can board the train in cities including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York City — choose Huntingdon as the destination. Near the station you can rent a car with Enterprise (call in advance to arrange for pickup from the station). It’s a 20-minute drive to the visitor center.

Lake McDonald

The largest lake in Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald is a short drive away from the West Glacier Amtrak station on the Empire Builder route. In less than 20 minutes, you can reach Apgar Beach along with Apgar Lodge and Apgar Campground, or drive about 30 minutes to reach the Lake McDonald Lodge for a lakefront stay. Transportation options include renting a car with Turo (reserve/book your car in advance) or riding the shuttle.

Donner Lake

The infamous Donner Lake (named after the Donner Party) is a short drive away from the Truckee Amtrak Station on the California Zephyr route. The TART shuttle and rideshare can take you to the state park of the same name, where you can have a beach day, hike, camp or paddle on the water. It’s a popular place to visit in July and August, so make lodging and camping reservations early (and check with TART to see if they can drop you off at a specific accommodations near the state park, like Loch Leven Lodge).

Lake Travis

Lake Travis is a beautiful lake near the Austin Amtrak Station with activities and lodging for all types of travelers. Popular things to do include swimming, renting a boat, visiting a waterpark, ziplining and jet skiing. The lake is large, so drive time varies depending on your final destination, but plan for at least 30 minutes. You can use rideshare, or for more mobility, Enterprise offers pick up service with a rental car reservation (call ahead to make plans), and Turo car rentals are also an option.