Of the 391 national park sites, 248 are within 100 miles of an Amtrak route or station.

Trails & Rails: Onboard Natural and Cultural Heritage Education

An Innovative Partnership between the National Park Service and Amtrak

Trails & Rails is an innovative partnership program between the National Park Service and Amtrak that brings the National Park "experience" onboard to share with passengers traveling on Amtrak.

On select Amtrak trains around the country, Trails & Rails programs volunteer guides give seasonal talks about places of interest along the route, answering questions and providing a narrative for the section of route they travel. Teams often have a "traveling trunk," containing items relevant to the area — anything from an animal pelt to a compass like the one used by Lewis and Clark on the "Corps of Discovery."

Through the program, Amtrak passengers get an opportunity to connect to public lands and engage in a better understanding of the need to preserve and protect these special natural and cultural resources. Traveling by rail to these parks and protected areas puts this philosophy of stewardship into action, providing a fuel efficient and environmentally friendly way to visit these shared treasures.

• Read more about the Trails and Rails program at www.nps.gov/findapark/trailsandrails/index.htm.

Program Locations