OutsideAug 31, 2026
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.
24 things in this story
- Going-to-the-Sun RoadTrailWest Glacier, United StatesFamous road with multiple roadside trailhead stops.
- The Outerbelt TrailTrailChicago, United States210-mile backpacking route connecting Chicago's urban greenway.
- Camp Bullfrog LakeHotelChicago, United StatesLakeside campground for hikers on The Outerbelt Trail.
- Camp Shabbona WoodsHotelChicago, United StatesTree-engulfed campground for hikers on The Outerbelt Trail.
- Union StationSightChicago, United StatesAmtrak's departure station in Chicago.
- 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.
