Zen-Sunset Travel Network

National Park Service and Amtrak

Trails & Rails is an innovative partnership program between the National Park Service (NPS) and Amtrak, providing rail passengers with educational opportunities that foster an appreciation of a selected region's natural and cultural heritage.

"Our Trails & Rails programs are as diverse as the volunteer rangers presenting the programs. On any given route you may hear the stories of the area or have an opportunity to closely examine artifacts that relate to the route," says James Miculka, National Park Service Trails & Rails program liason to Amtrak. "On some programs you may find musical offerings, or rangers dressed in living history costumes or historical attire. They all share the rich history of the region with Amtrak passengers."

Since the beginning of the 20th century, railroads played an active role in developing America's national parks, encouraging vacationers and long-distance travelers to take the train to these highly sought-after destinations. Trails & Rails renews this long tradition of connecting railroads with National Parks.

"The Trails & Rails program provides an opportunity to reach out to people who may not traditionally visit National Park sites," adds Miculka.

Trails & Rails allows for tourism opportunities and serves as a catalyst for urban and rural areas to "showcase" areas of significance in and adjacent to their communities. The program reaches out to American Indian groups, non-profit organizations, state arts councils and others in developing education programs for passengers traveling through the region.

All these resources are put to use in onboard curriculum-based education guides that are being developed for use with school groups that help students understand an area's historical and natural history, using the train as a mobile classroom.

Through the program, Amtrak passengers can connect to public lands and engage in a better understanding of the need to preserve and protect these special natural and cultural resources. As an example of this philosophy of stewardship in action, rail travel to parks and protected areas provides a fuel efficient and environmentally friendly way to visit public lands.

Read more about the Trails and Rails program at www.nps.gov/Trail&Rails

View the trains and parks listing, by clicking Here.