OutsideAug 31
The Amtrak Empire Builder Route Makes an Incredible Cross-Country Hiking Trip
From prairie grasslands in the Midwest to mountain peaks in Glacier National Park, the Empire Builder Route strings together hiking trails across the northern U.S.
210-mile backpacking route connecting Chicago's urban greenway.
24 things in this story
- The Outerbelt TrailTrail210-mile backpacking route connecting Chicago's urban greenway.
- Camp Bullfrog LakeHotelLakeside campground for hikers on The Outerbelt Trail.
- Camp Shabbona WoodsHotelTree-engulfed campground for hikers on The Outerbelt Trail.
- Union StationSightAmtrak's departure station in Chicago.
- Elsewhere
- Going-to-the-Sun RoadTrailWest Glacier, United StatesFamous road with multiple roadside trailhead stops.
- Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural AreaNature reserveWisconsin Dells, United StatesThe Dells of the Wisconsin River encompasses over five miles of the Wisconsin River corridor with a spectacular gorge,…
- Chapel Gorge TrailTrailWisconsin Dells, United StatesHike to the river's edge through quiet pine forest.
- Witches GulchAttractionWisconsin Dells, United StatesShort, stunning hidden slot canyon trail.
- Devil's Lake State ParkNature reserveBaraboo, United StatesWisconsin's most-visited state park with quartzite bluffs.
- East Bluff TrailTrailBaraboo, United StatesTrail atop quartzite bluffs with scenic views.
- Ice Age TrailTrailBaraboo, United StatesLong-distance trail for a more rugged adventure.
- Perrot State ParkNature reserveTrempealeau, United StatesPark with wildflower hiking season between March and May.
- Perrot Ridge to Brady's Bluff LoopTrailTrempealeau, United States3.5-mile loop bagging two park summits with overlooks.
- Great River Bluffs State ParkParkWinona, United StatesPark with blufftop perch 500 feet above the river.
- King's Bluff TrailTrailWinona, United States2.5-mile out-and-back trail to a blufftop perch.
- Little Missouri State ParkSightBillings County, United StatesPark with rugged badlands terrain and 45 miles of trails.
- Little Missouri LoopTrailBillings County, United States6.9-mile loop through grasslands and sculpted rock formations.
- Two MedicineNeighborhoodWest Glacier, United StatesQuieter southeast corner of Glacier National Park.
- Scenic Point TrailTrailWest Glacier, United States7.4-mile round-trip trail to see where plains crash into Rockies.
- Running Eagle Falls TrailTrailWest Glacier, United StatesFlat half-mile trail to a waterfall from a hidden cave.
- Glacier Park LodgeHotelWest Glacier, United StatesOffers shuttle service to Two Medicine Lake and St. Mary Village.
- Dawson-Pitamakan LoopTrailWest Glacier, United States18-mile loop overlapping the Continental Divide Trail.
- Pend d’Oreille Bay TrailTrailSandpoint, United StatesThree-mile out-and-back lakeshore path with mountain views.
- Sandpoint TrailTrailSandpoint, United StatesTrailhead on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille.