No Car Needed – 18 U.S. National Parks You Can Explore by Train

Every year, millions of American students count down the final days of school and look ahead to summer vacation. For kids, it means long days outside, later bedtimes, family trips, and a break from homework. For parents, it often means figuring out how to fill the weeks between June and August with camps, childcare, visits with relatives, and vacations that feel memorable without becoming overly complicated.

A national park trip is one of the best ways to turn summer break into a real adventure. Families can drive, fly, or choose an even more scenic option: taking the train. From mountain landscapes to desert views and coastal routes, several of America’s most famous national parks are reachable by rail. Here are 18 U.S. national parks you can explore by train.

• Amtrak takes you on a journey through Glacier National Park where you can experience the most popular attractions like Lake McDonald and Going-to-the-Sun Road.

• Amtrak provides you with a journey through the scenic landscapes of Arizona and the Grand Canyon, worthwhile for any trip.

• See Jenny Lake, Teton Range, and other attractions as you travel on Amtrak through Grand Teton National Park.

• The first national park in the US and it’s everything you have imagined. The train journey takes you through Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, and other attractions in the park.

• Amtrak will provide you with a scenic train ride through all of the park's most popular attractions including Half Dome and Yosemite Valley.

• The train ride has more desert views than anything and you'll be able to visit Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, and other popular attractions.

• Among the attractions you'll see on this train ride include The Needles and the Island in the Sky.

• This train ride provides you with scenic views of Zion National Park, including attractions like The Narrows and Angels Landing.

• The train ride to Bryce Canyon National Park is scenic and worthwhile for any summer vacation.

• Amtrak provides you with scenic train rides that will get you to see some of the most stunning landscapes in the Rockies.

• Nestled in the Appalachians, this national park is filled with amazing foliage. Your train journey will consist of seeing amazing attractions like Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove.

• Acadia National Park is filled with amazing Northeast beauty. The comfortable and stylish train ride will take you to many attractions like Cadillac Mountain and Thunder Hole.

• Amtrak will take you on a great tropical tour to Florida, but the Everglades is only accessible by boat so you’ll see the scenic landscapes by train and then hop off to see the Everglades by boat.

• You'll see many attractions on this train journey to Capitol Reef National Park.

• Amtrak takes you on a desert trip through many beautiful scenic attractions.

• The Pacific Northwest is one of the most stunning landscapes of America. Amtrak will take you through many top attractions in Mount Rainier National Park.

• See many popular places like Hoh Rainforest and Hurricane Ridge when you visit Olympic National Park via train.

• You'll see the beautiful landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains when you take Amtrak through Shenandoah National Park.