Amtrak’s Empire Builder Route makes an incredible cross‑country hiking trip, turning a three‑day train ride into a multi‑stop adventure. The route runs from Chicago to Seattle and follows the path of Lewis and Clark, offering hikers access to varied scenery along the way. A non‑stop journey takes three days and two nights, but hopping off at various stops allows travelers to stretch their legs and explore the outdoors.
Where to Hop Off and Hike
The trip begins in Chicago. The Outerbelt is a 210‑mile backpacking route that connects urban forest preserves. It mixes paved trails, gravel paths, and single‑track dirt. Hikers can camp at Cook County campgrounds like Camp Bullfrog Lake or stay in Airbnbs in the city.
The train departs Chicago’s Union Station at 3:05 p.m. daily. Arriving early lets you explore the downtown area before boarding.
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Wisconsin is the next major stop. The Wisconsin Dells offers over 100‑foot sandstone cliffs and the tannin‑colored Wisconsin River. The Chapel Gorge Trail leads through quiet pine forests to the river’s edge. Witches Gulch features a hidden slot canyon with towering sandstone walls. Devil’s Lake State Park, accessible via rideshare, provides quartzite bluffs with panoramic views.
In Minnesota, the train hugs the Mississippi River. Perrot State Park and Great River Bluffs State Park offer day hikes near Winona. The Perrot Ridge to Brady’s Bluff Loop climbs two summits. Great River Bluffs State Park’s King’s Bluff Trail opens onto a blufftop perch 500 feet above the river.
North Dakota presents a different scene. Little Missouri State Park sits about 90 minutes from Williston. It features 45 miles of trails through the badlands. The Lakota called this land Mako Shika, or “bad land.” Hikers can walk through a maze of buttes and coulees. The 6.9‑mile Little Missouri Loop showcases the region’s sculpted rock formations.
Glacier National Park offers the most dramatic scenery. The Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road is a famous scenic drive, but the trails around Two Medicine are quieter. The Scenic Point Trail climbs 7.4 miles round‑trip to see the Plains meet the Rockies.
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The Dawson‑Pitamakan Loop overlaps the Continental Divide Trail and climbs over Pitamakan Pass. The East Side Shuttle runs from June to September, dropping hikers near Two Medicine Lake and St. Mary Village.
Idaho’s Sandpoint stop is trickier. The Empire Builder passes through early in the morning. Staying overnight gives time for hiking. The Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail is a three‑mile unpaved lakeshore path.
The Little Sand Creek Basin Trails in the Selkirk Mountains descend nearly 4,000 feet. These paths wind through temperate rainforests full of ferns and huckleberry bushes.
