Amtrak Vacations
Northern Rail Experience with Glacier National Park
Independent Chicago rail loop via Glacier National Park, Seattle, San Francisco
12 daysfrom $3,429
42% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation
Lewis and Clark Trail by Rail
Twelve-day Amtrak rail journey retracing the Lewis and Clark Trail
Amtrak Vacations runs this twelve-day independent rail vacation from St. Louis to Portland, Oregon, retracing the Lewis and Clark Trail with stops in Chicago and Glacier National Park. The trip opens with two nights in St. Louis, where days at leisure take in the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi Riverfront, before a train carries travelers to Chicago for a sightseeing cruise past the city's architecture. An overnight ride on the Empire Builder crosses the plains as the Rockies rise in the distance, reaching Glacier National Park for three nights at the historic Glacier Park Lodge. There, an expert guide leads the Big Sky Circle Tour past mountain vistas and glacial lakes, and a Two Medicine Lake cruise tells the story of the Blackfeet Nation. A second overnight Empire Builder leg reaches Portland for two nights, including a Willamette River cruise and a city tour past Pittock Mansion. The trip suits history-minded travelers and photographers who want scenic Amtrak legs paired with a guided look at Glacier National Park's landscape.
What to know before you look closer
- The day-by-day itinerary names the St. Louis to Chicago train as the Lincoln Service, but the trip's included-items summary lists the Texas Eagle for the same leg; confirm which train operates this segment when booking.
- The Empire Builder overnight legs are booked in Coach class seating, not a private sleeper cabin.
- Only six meals (three breakfasts, three dinners) are included across the twelve days; other meals are on your own.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: St. Louis
Your Journey Begins in St. Louis
Arrive in St. Louis and check into your hotel for a two-night stay.
- Day 2overnight: St. Louis
St. Louis
Spend the day exploring at your leisure: the towering Gateway Arch, the dining scene of the Central West End, Forest Park, local museums, or a Mississippi Riverfront walk.
- Day 3overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Board Amtrak's Lincoln Service to Chicago. After checking in to your hotel, explore the Riverwalk or sample a famous Chicago-style pizza.
- Day 4overnight: Chicago
Chicago
Enjoy a sightseeing cruise showcasing Chicago's architecture and iconic landmarks, and continue exploring the city's museums and attractions.
- Day 5overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Board the Empire Builder for your overnight journey to Montana, traveling across the vast plains as the Rockies rise in the distance.
- Day 6overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park
Arrive and check into your lodge for a three-night stay. Enjoy dinner at Glacier Park Lodge, surrounded by alpine views.
- Day 7overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park
Set out on the Big Sky Circle Tour and marvel at mountain vistas, glacial lakes, and wildlife, learning about the park's geology and history from your expert guide.
- Day 8overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park
Cruise the tranquil waters of Two Medicine Lake and hear stories of the Blackfeet Nation and the natural wonders of this sacred land.
- Day 9overnight: onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Spend a leisurely morning before boarding the Empire Builder for your journey west to Portland.
- Day 10overnight: Portland
Portland, OR
Arrive in Portland and check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. This afternoon, enjoy a Happy Hour sightseeing cruise along the Willamette River.
- Day 11overnight: Portland
Portland, OR
Take a city tour of Portland, seeing highlights like Pittock Mansion, Washington Park, and scenic neighborhoods.
- Day 12
Your Journey Ends in Portland
Check out of your hotel and continue your travels.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2A day at leisure in St. Louis includes the towering Gateway Arch and a Mississippi Riverfront walk.
- Day 5The Empire Builder carries travelers overnight across the plains as the Rockies rise in the distance.
- Day 7The Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park takes in mountain vistas, glacial lakes, and wildlife, narrated by an expert guide.
- Day 8A cruise on Two Medicine Lake includes stories of the Blackfeet Nation and the natural wonders of the area.
- Day 11A city tour of Portland takes in Pittock Mansion, Washington Park, and scenic neighborhoods.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from St. Louis to Chicago on the Texas Eagle®; Chicago to Glacier National Park, Glacier National Park to Portland on the Empire Builder®
- 9 nights' hotel accommodations, 2 nights onboard Amtrak
- 6 meals included (3 breakfasts, 3 dinners)
Questions travellers ask
- Is rail travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel from St. Louis to Chicago and on to Glacier National Park and Portland via the Empire Builder (the itinerary names the St. Louis to Chicago leg the Lincoln Service; the inclusions summary names it the Texas Eagle).
- Is it guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail vacation, though the Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park includes an expert guide.
- What hotels are included?
- The DoubleTree by Hilton St. Louis Forest Park, the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, in Chicago, Glacier Park Lodge, and The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton.
- Is there overnight train travel?
- Yes, two nights onboard the Empire Builder: one from Chicago to Glacier National Park, and one from Glacier National Park to Portland.
- How many meals are included?
- Six: three breakfasts and three dinners.
- What happens at Glacier National Park?
- Three nights at Glacier Park Lodge, including the guided Big Sky Circle Tour and a Two Medicine Lake boat cruise.
