8 Of The Most Scenic Train Rides In America

The first thing that comes to a traveler’s mind while booking any train ride is perfectly defined in one word: “adventure”! If you’re up for the plan for going around the whole USA in a certain number of days, then we would undoubtedly suggest getting your railway tickets.

A train ride will bestow you with awesome sights in view, and the frequently captivating, changing landscapes will pull you deeper into this journey. This blog will offer you insights into 8 of the most scenic train rides in America. Whee! Off we go!

En route from Chicago to San Francisco, this is one of the longest-distance running trains that will take you around many hypnotizing views. California Zephyr, operated by Amtrak, traverses the Rocky Mountains at elevations over 9,000 ft through the historical Moffat Tunnel. It takes about 52 hours, spanning 2,438 miles covered in three days and two nights. Passengers get to feast on Illinois prairies, following the Colorado River to Winter Park Resort. Reaching Utah, the Wasatch Mountains are passed on the way to Salt Lake City, which will leave you mesmerized. This transcontinental train takes you across many destinations such as the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Colorado, Denver, Utah, Nebraska, and several other scenic spots before finally reaching California.

Coast Starlight, by Amtrak, is a daily operated train that runs through Los Angeles to Seattle, breezing by Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Portland. This route is quite reputable among tourists and locals for portraying the most scenic views. The cinematic snowy Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, evergreen pine forests, and the spectacular Pacific shoreline will keep you intrigued by the time you reach your destination stop.

A ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route in Skagway, Alaska, has to be on your bucket list. This unforgettable journey lets you and your loved ones relive the thrill of the Klondike Gold Rush while climbing to an elevation of 3,000 ft—so pack some extra layers for the crisp mountain air!
Winding through the Tongass National Forest and passing landmarks like Brackett’s Toll Road, Black Cross Rock, and Dead Horse Gulch, the route captures Alaska’s raw, adventurous spirit. Built in 1900 along the same paths once braved by gold rushers, this historic railroad now treats travelers to snowcapped peaks and one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

Across the mountainous skyline of the big city from Chicago to Seattle, Empire Builder will transport you along the Lewis and Clark trail to explore one of the best train journeys in America. Casting your eyes on the majestic scenes of Mississippi, witnessing the shining skyline of Minneapolis, and absorbing the charm of Glacier National Park, the North Dakota Plains, and Montana’s wildlife has made the route popular. You can either continue to Seattle or turn towards Portland.

Amtrak Cascades is similar to Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner in its West Coast charm and scenic routes. However, it winds north from Eugene, Oregon, all the way to Vancouver, Canada, crossing the US-Canadian border. The mesmerizing views of gushing waterfalls, clear rivers, and lush green forests through the Pacific Northwest will leave you awestruck. Passengers will get to behold the sight of spectacular natural landscapes and some of the most distinctive cities

It is an unparalleled match to get a view of Los Angeles, running from coastal views of the Pacific Ocean towards California hills, Santa Barbara, Irvine, and San Clemente, all the way to San Diego. Pacific Surfliner will give you a break to relax and enjoy the stopping stations at different amusement parks and beaches along the route at a much shorter train journey than the Coast Starlight.

Operating from Anchorage, Alaska, to Fairbanks, Alaska, Denali Star gives its passengers one memorable US rail trip. The vibrant autumn hues of Alaska can be gazed at, as the service is active from mid-May to mid-September. Talkeetna and Chulitna River can be welcomed. The sightseeing of Alaska range allows a stop within the park, and the riders can enjoy service to Wasilla and Fairbanks.

More classical due to the diversity of landscapes, Sunset Limited departs from New Orleans, crossing the Huey P. Long bridge across the great Mississippi River. By reaching Texas, and crossing the Pecos River High bridge, you’ll see the desert-scapes of cacti, and then the scenes will get more barren as you proceed towards Arizona. Eventually, passing the Colorado River and entering California.