Trails & Rails Guide

Do you love trains, history, and sharing your knowledge with others? We’ve got just the thing for you!

Join the National Park Service and Amtrak as a Trails & Rails Volunteer Guide to enhance the journeys of Amtrak passengers.

Trails & Rails volunteer guides share the heritage of our region with passengers aboard Amtrak trains. In 2025, we will offer two routes: St. Louis, MO to Springfield, IL, and St. Louis to Jefferson City, MO. This is part of Amtrak’s national Trails & Rails program.

Volunteers may serve as often as they want, as they make their own schedules via an online portal. Typically, volunteers serve around 6-12 hours a month, but some do far more.

Volunteers work in pairs, either with another volunteer or with a park ranger.

Basic Requirements:

• Ability to see and hear, to lift up to 35 pounds, and possess strength and mobility of all limbs.

• Persons age 16 or older may become a Trails & Rails volunteer at this park, but volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Effective communication skills

Time Commitment:

• Each round trip lasts 6 to 7 hours, subject to unexpected delays. There is no overnight requirement.

• Volunteers are expected to make at least six trips in the summer season, Memorial Day to Labor Day.

• Training and orientation sessions will be held on May 9 and May 17 from 9am to 3pm. All volunteers are required to attend one of these training sessions.

Skills

• General Assistance

• Public Speaking

• Visitor Information

• Working with People