How to Hit the Trail With Nothing but Amtrak and a Bicycle

Watching the United States roll by on the California Zephyr Amtrak from Chicago to Sacramento last year, I constantly struggled with the impulse to jump off and explore. Seemingly around every bend there was a new gorgeous trout stream or lake reflecting the mountains in the distance. I’d see a trail leading up into the spruce-filled hills and think, “I wonder where it leads?” The temptation was nearly unbearable. This summer, I’m hopping aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder route from Chicago to Seattle, and this time I built a lot more flexibility into my trip to feed my insatiable curiosity and incurable wanderlust. 

Here’s how you can plan a similar trip. 

Train travel isn’t just for getting from city to city. A number of Amtrak routes across the US offer a great low-carbon way to see the outdoors, and an Amtrak USA Rail Pass allows you to string together a series of hiking, biking, swimming, and camping adventures with a hop-on-hop-off approach. The pass, good for 10 rides over 30 days, typically sells for $499, but Amtrak runs sales every year for $50 or more off. 

I’m not alone in my love of passenger rail; Amtrak ridership grew by 25 percent in 2023, with the trend not looking to slow down anytime soon. Trains are often less expensive, more convenient, and more environmentally friendly than flying. You can also relax and safely enjoy the scenery more so than if you were driving a car. 

Some train stations are conveniently located right next to your final outdoorsy destination, but many present last-mile gaps that adventurers need to close. Instead of calling an Uber, intrepid adventurers can roll out on e-bikes. 

Chicagoan, cyclist, and frequent rail rider Matt Weiss estimates he’s taken around 40 Amtrak trips over the last decade, many of which included his trusty bicycle. Trains and bikes “go hand-in-hand for me as a mobility solution,” Weiss says, allowing him to easily get around after he reaches his destination. 

Having an e-bike with you does negate some of the spontaneousness of train travel, as you need to reserve space for them on the train. On most routes, bikes cost an extra $5 to $20 to bring along. (To find out the specific cost on your route, click the Add Bike to Trip button at checkout.)

Even Amtrak’s biggest supporters admit the bike service could be hit-or-miss in the past, but Weiss says he’s noticed improvement in recent years. On routes such as the Vermonter and Downeaster, some newer coaches now allow bikes to be rolled onboard and hung on racks near the passenger seating. Typically, there are about six roll-on spaces for bicycles per train car.

“Those spots can sell out surprisingly early, so I try to plan ahead,” he says. “When I have an idea of when I will be taking a trip, I get my space reserved as soon as possible.”

On routes without roll-on service, bikes are treated as checked luggage and placed inside the baggage car, which isn’t accessible during the train journey. Passengers with bikes should arrive early in order to check their bicycle, typically 30 to 45 minutes before departure. More than likely, riders will be asked to remove any pannier bags and the extra gear they hold. 

So where can an Amtrak train and an e-bike take you? Amtrak passes through several famous and incredibly beautiful national parks, such as Glacier and New River Gorge, and you can find many more, lesser-known gorgeous spots just off the beaten path. Here are seven places, organized by route, that could serve as a jumping-off point.

Empire Builder Route

A mountain biker takes in the vista at the Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, Idaho, a destination you can get to on Amtrak’s Empire Builder route. | Photo courtesy of Visit Idaho

Sandpoint, Idaho 

One of the most breathtakingly beautiful states in the US, Idaho is too often forgotten about, save for locals and hardcore outdoors enthusiasts. Surrounded by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Sandpoint is a great base for adventurers looking for incredible hiking, paddling, and fly-fishing. The nearly eight-mile hike up and down Scotchman Peak may be difficult, but the views at the top are an apt reward for your efforts. Snowsports enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the world-class Schweitzer ski resort.

La Crosse, Wisconsin  

Fly-fishers around the nation flock annually to the Midwest’s Driftless region—so named because it was bypassed during the last glacial drift, allowing it to retain its steep hillsides and narrow valleys. Native brown and brook trout love the cold, limestone-fed creeks, which means anglers love them as well. Just east of the town of La Crosse, the Little La Crosse River is categorized as a class one trout stream, ranked among the best in Wisconsin. Not interested in fishing? Grandad Bluff Park offers some great hiking.

Crescent Route

The sun sets in the distance at the Cheaha Overlook in Alabama’s Cheaha Mountain State Park, reachable on Amtrak’s Crescent Route. | Photo by JimVallee/iStock

Anniston, Alabama

You’ll find more than 35 miles of top-notch mountain-bike singletrack on Coldwater Mountain just southwest of Anniston, with more hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities due south in Cheaha State Park and the surrounding Talladega National Forest, the southernmost tip of the Appalachian Mountains. 

California Zephyr Route

Amtrak’s California Zephyr route leads to scenic views from Colorado National Monument. | Photo by Tim Pennington/iStock

Truckee, California 

Upon disembarking at the Truckee station, you’re confronted with an embarrassment of options. Ski Northstar or head into Tahoe National Forest for a hike out to Paradise Lake. Wet a line on the Truckee River or paddle the impossibly blue Lake Tahoe to the south. Pedal the paved nine-mile Martis Valley Trail surrounded by wildflowers, or rocket down the 14-mile Flume Trail singletrack overlooking the massive lake. There are no wrong choices, except maybe sitting still.

Grand Junction, Colorado 

Surrounded by Colorado National Monument to the southwest, Book Cliffs Mountain Range to the north, and Grand Mesa to the east, Grand Junction offers dramatic granite and sandstone backdrops for nearly every outdoor activity you might desire. Pedaling west on the 22-mile Riverfront Trail, riders wind their way through Grand Junction and its sister communities of Fruita and Palisade before reaching the world-famous Kokopelli mountain-bike trail system, where you’ll find some of the most fun and challenging singletrack in the US. Follow the dirt trails even farther and you’ll wind up in Moab, Utah.

Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle Routes

Saguaro National Park is at the crossroads of two Amtrak lines: The Sunset Limited and the Texas Eagle can both take you there. | Photo by Robert Gallucci/iStock

Tucson, Arizona

Saguaro National Park, separated in half by the city of Tucson, offers a couple of great, albeit much too short, loops for road bicycling, along with several miles of hike-only trails. The Sendero Esperanza Trail in particular shouldn’t be missed, offering beautiful views for miles atop the ridgeline.

Downeaster Route 

Amtrak’s Downeaster route stops mere blocks away from the Atlantic Ocean in Maine. | Photo by gchapel/iStock

Old Orchard Beach, Maine 

Just south of the renowned outdoor hub of Portland, Maine, the Old Orchard Beach station sits within walking distance of gorgeous beaches and deep-sea fishing options. Mocean Surf and Skate Shop offers both group and private surfing lessons to travelers wanting to brave the chilly Atlantic waters. The stop is seasonal, open from May to October.