Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial with an Amtrak Adventure!

More than 260 national parks lands, monuments and historic sites are accessible by our trains. And the summer is the perfect time to explore both American past times and celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service!

Families with fourth-graders can enjoy even more savings through the Every Kid in a Park initiative, which allows fourth graders nationwide to go to www.everykidinapark.gov and obtain a pass for free entry for them and their families to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters nationwide. Amtrak makes the deal even sweeter by offering a 75 percent discount to fourth-graders, with the purchase of one adult ticket, to promote family travel to national parks through August 31

No fourth-grader in your home? No problem! Take advantage of our 50% fares for kids then sit back and relax as we handle all the driving. In fact, we’ll even make a few suggestions. Here are five national parks to visit this summer!

1. Everglades National Park 
Bring your binoculars because this park is a bird watching paradise! Everglades National Park boasts the title of largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and is home to many endangered and rare species including the manatee and the Florida panther.
Route: Silver Service

2. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore 
With more than 15 miles of lakeshore access to Lake Michigan, this park is a perfect warm weather getaway for the entire family. Enjoy hiking over the 45 miles of trails or cool off in the pristine waters of Lake Michigan. Be sure to bring a picnic basket, this park is perfect for an all day adventure.
Route: Michigan Services

3. Rocky Mountain National Park 
With elevations reaching more than 14,000 feet you’ll feel on top of the world at Rocky Mountain National Park. Split by the Continental Divide, the eastern side of the park is arid and mountainous while the western side is heavily forested. Be sure to have your cameras ready because the park is inhabited by many species of wildlife from mule and deer to eagles.
Route: California Zephyr

4. Glacier National Park
Explore the splendor of the American West from the comfort of our observation car before stepping off the train into a park made to preserve over a million acres of lakes, rugged peaks and forests. Glacier National Park boasts more than 700 miles of trails and has a dedicated stop along our Empire Builder route nestled in the Northern Rocky Mountains.
Route: Empire Builder

5. Yosemite National Park
Known for its waterfalls, this park encompasses nearly 1,200 square miles, which include valleys, lush meadows, giant sequoias and vast wilderness areas. Plan to spend the night in one the of the park’s many campsites or opt for a deluxe room at the The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park’s four diamond hotel.
Route: San Joaquin

What national park will you visit this summer? Tell us in the comments below!