If you’re looking for scenic train rides in Montana, you’re in the right place.
Montana’s history is intricately connected to rail travel. The introduction of rail lines to the state allowed folks to travel more freely, found new towns, and transport materials drawn from mines more quickly and efficiently.
Especially during the gold rush, rail travel and freight lines became necessary for its new inhabitants; it’s likely Montana would not be near as populated today if not for the introduction of comprehensive rail travel.
While passenger rail in Montana has declined considerably from its heyday, there are still a few scenic train rides in the state available to tourists. If you’re a train enthusiast planning a trip to Montana, you should consider taking a ride on one of these historic train lines.
The passenger rail lines that are still in operation within the state of Montana are:
Scenic Train Rides in Montana
Though Montana has an intricate railroad system, the majority of the lines that are still in use today are used for freight. Though passenger rail is limited in the state, there is a growing push to bring back intercity rail travel to Southern Montana, thus connecting it to the north and maybe eventually into Wyoming.
In the meantime, there are a handful of scenic train routes in Montana that you can take today. Here’s an outline of the available passenger rail services in Montana.
1. Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train
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At a Glance:
- Route: Lewistown to Denton
- Highlights: Follows the route of the Old Chicago, St. Paul, Pacific, and Milkwaukee railroad.
- Duration: Montana Dinner Train is 4.5 hours and North Pole Adventure Train
- Best Times to Ride: Summer and fall for the Montana Dinner Train, and Winter for the North Pole Adventure Train
This 56-mile round-trip dinner train offers a unique scenic experience as it winds through the open prairies and historical sites of Central Montana. Travelers can take in the breathtaking mountain views, cross two trestles, and pass through a half-mile tunnel. The train travels down a historic route, passing across two trellises and through a half-mile-long tunnel. And it’s not uncommon to see wildlife: eagles, antelope, hawks, and deer all call this wild part of the world home.
The train’s lively atmosphere makes it a great option for families and history enthusiasts. You’ll get to relax and enjoy a hearty prime rib dinner and maybe a nice wine pairing if you’d like. The Chew Choo operates on a former Milwaukie Railroad line beginning just north of Lewistown to Denton, and back.
2. Alder Gulch Short Line
At a Glance:
- Route: Virginia City to Nevada City
- Highlights: Views of Alder Creek, a fully restored 1910 Baldwin locomotive, and learn about Montana’s railroad history.
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Best Times to Ride: Summer
This mile and a half long ride offers a scenic journey between Virginia City and Nevada City. It’s an engaging way to immerse yourself in Montana’s rich mining history as you pass through historical landmarks and old mining equipment.
Installed in 1964 as a sort of ad-hoc transportation system between the two towns, the Alder Gulch Short Line is today far more safe, secure, and reliable than many of its earlier iterations. Family-friendly and educational, the Alder Gulch Short Line combines a fun experience with a deeper understanding of the region’s mining heritage.
3. Empire Builder
At a Glance:
- Route: Chicago to St. Paul/Minneapolis to Spokane – Portland/Seattle
- Highlights: Scenic views of the Mississippi River, Glacier National Park, Columbia River Gorge, and North Dakota plains.
- Duration: 46 hours
- Best Times to Ride: Spring and Summer
One of the most famous, picturesque train rides in the entire United States, the Empire Builder line connects Chicago with Seattle. Along the way, it passes through Montana’s unmatched landscape including a leg directly through Glacier National Park.
If you’ve always wanted to see Glacier during the winter but feared the frigid temperatures, booking a train trip through it is a lovely – and considerably warmer – way to get a taste of the park when it’s sparkling and white.
You can either book the entire trip and travel all the way from the midwest to the Puget Sound, or you can opt for a shorter version, even one that merely begins in East Glacier and ends in Whitefish or vice versa.
In total, there are 12 train stops along the Empire Builder’s route through Montana (shown from west to east below).
- Wolf Point
- Glasgow
- Malta
- Havre
- Shelby
- Cut Bank
- Browning
- East Glacier Park (see below)
- Essex
- West Glacier
- Whitefish
- Libby
Of these stops, there are a few that great for a stopover if you’re on the Empire Builder!
The small town of Havre, the seat of Hill County in north-central Montana, is home to the oldest bar in the state. Though no one is sure exactly how long it’s been around, Palace Bar is well over a hundred years and has a committed following of locals and tourists alike.
Nearby is a quirky tourist attraction called Havre Beneath the Streets, which commemorates the 1904 Havre fire in a series of exhibits and an underground tour.
The East Glacier Station is, as the name might lead you to believe, near the eastern entrance to Glacier National Park. It’s perfectly located if you’re planning a stay at the Glacier Park Lodge, a historic hotel in the region famous for its incredible timbered lobby. The Amtrak station is less than a half a mile away from the lodge, and they offer a shuttle for guests.
Across the park, the West Glacier Train Station is just south of Lake McDonald and the middle fork of the Flathead River, so it’s easy to embark on many water excursions from here. The Glacier Raft Company can easily arrange everything for you, including gear, guides, and transportation.
The region is famous for its whitewater rafting, but if you’re looking for something a bit more temperate, you can opt for a boat trip on the lake instead.
And finally, the busiest train stop in Montana is in the town of Whitefish. This bustling town west of Glacier National Park is a prime destination all on its own, and conveniently, the train station is right downtown and within walking distance of many of the most popular hotels.
Fans of the outdoors, the arts, sports, and dining will all feel right at home in Whitefish, and the Empire Builder is the most iconic way to travel there.
Other Attractions
Visit the state’s rail museum for a more thorough look at Montana’s railroad history. These museums display historic stations and vintage trains. Each provides a distinct perspective on what transportation was like back then in Montana.
1. Rail Museums in Montana
Before you head out on one of Montana’s scenic train rides, you may want to visit one of its rail museums. There are a handful across the state, and each offers different insights into the history of rail transportation and travel within Montana.
2. Livingston Depot Center
Built in 1902 to act as a hub for rail travel into Yellowstone, the Livingston Depot is now a museum and community center. It was designed by the same architects who created New York City’s Grand Central Station, and though it doesn’t serve as a working train station today, it’s an awesome reminder of Montana’s history.
3. Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum
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Though it was originally built as a passenger train station for the Milwaukee Railroad, today it’s a museum that tells a significant part of the history of Harlowton. There’s a variety of exhibits here, but maybe the most intriguing is the collection of vintage rail engines.
Final Words
As you plan your scenic adventure in Montana, take a moment to appreciate the unique combination of history, natural beauty, and the legacy of rail travel that these routes offer. No matter your purpose, these trains connect you with the state’s past in a way that few other attractions can. Each ride offers a chance to slow down, take in the sights, and create lasting memories in Big Sky Country.