Lonely PlanetOct 9, 2026
10 Best Rail Journeys in the USA
See the best of the USA with our picks of America
25 things in this story
- Durango & Silverton steam trainPlaceHeritage steam train through San Juan Mountains.
- Elsewhere
- Arches National ParkSightMoab, United StatesNearby national park accessible from Moab.
- California ZephyrPlaceChicago, United StatesRuns from Chicago to California, a 2438-mile journey.
- Empire BuilderPlaceChicago, United StatesConnects Chicago to Seattle or Portland through mountains.
- Rocky MountaineerPlaceVancouver, CanadaScenic train routes through mountain country from Vancouver.
- Coast StarlightPlaceSeattle, United StatesTraces Pacific cliffs from Seattle to Los Angeles.
- Canyon SpiritPlaceDenver, United StatesScenic train through Glenwood Canyon and Utah deserts.
- Asher Adams hotelHotelSalt Lake City, United StatesIn Salt Lake City's former Union Station, built 1909.
- Golden Spike National Historical ParkSightSalt Lake City, United StatesSite of first transcontinental railroad meeting.
- California State Railroad MuseumMuseumSacramento, United StatesVolunteer guides narrate journey between Reno and Sacramento.
- Cascade RangeSightSeattle, United StatesSnowcapped mountains seen on the Coast Starlight route.
- Glacier Park LodgeHotelEast Glacier, United StatesHistoric log-cabin style lodge built in 1913.
- Columbia River GorgeSightPortland, United StatesNational Scenic Area with thick forest and cliffs.
- Sunset LimitedPlaceNew Orleans, United StatesSouthernmost Amtrak line, rolls along bayous and river.
- Huey P Long BridgeSightNew Orleans, United StatesCrosses Mississippi River 153ft above water.
- Pecos River High BridgeSightNew Mexico, United StatesOnce tallest bridge in the country, over Pecos River.
- Pacific SurflinerPlaceLos Angeles, United StatesOceanside train route from Los Angeles to San Diego.
- Amtrak CascadesPlaceEugene, United StatesRoute from Eugene, OR to Vancouver, Canada.
- Adirondack routePlaceNew York, United StatesTrain journey through vineyards and past lakes.
- Hudson ValleyNeighborhoodNew York, United StatesVerdant vineyards seen from the Adirondack route.
- Lake ChamplainSightNew York, United StatesWith a length of 107 mi (172 km) and surface area over 500 sq mi (1,295 km2), it lies mostly between the U.S.
- Glenwood CanyonSightDenver, United StatesWinding canyon in Colorado seen on Canyon Spirit.
- Puget SoundSightSeattle, United States
- Glacier National ParkSightEast Glacier, United States
- Lake GeorgeSightNew York, United States
