rocky mountain train trips colorado

7 Best Train Rides in Colorado Through the Rocky Mountains

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Are you looking for the best train rides in Colorado? Look no further than these top railways and scenic routes.

Since the first tracks were laid in the 1860’s Colorado railroads have been a popular means of both transportation and tourism.

And many of the original train tracks and railway stations are still in operation today. 

In addition to enjoying scenic train routes through the Rocky Mountains, some trains feature fall foliage tours, wine-and-dine events, mystery dinners, and themed wintery rides.

There is something for everyone and these train rides make great family adventures.

Hop aboard some of the best train rides in Colorado to experience the epic views and picturesque landscape this beautiful state has to offer.

1. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge train is one of the top trains in Colorado for many reasons. 

The ride starts in Durango and travels for 3.5 hours one-way through the mountains to Silverton. 

Thinking of living in Colorado? This guide will help you avoid costly mistakes and remove the stress of planning so you can experience the joys of mountain living.

This steam-powered engine runs on coal and rides 200 feet above the Animas River.

This same journey was once traveled by miners and settlers who came to Colorado during the Gold Rush days.

On this route, you’ll see breathtaking views of the San Juan National Forest and wind in-and-out of the Rocky Mountains.

The train follows the Animas Gorge and passes through several remote canyons. 

During the train ride passengers can stop off for fishing, hiking, or backpacking to reach areas that are usually difficult to access by car. 

Or spend an afternoon in Silverton during the 2 hour layover before heading back to Durango.

Grab Your Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Tickets 😃 4.7/5 stars (100+ reviews)

2. Royal Gorge Route Railroad

The Royal Gorge area, near the town of Canon City , is one of those local destinations that keeps on giving.

In addition to hosting one of the world’s tallest suspension bridges , it’s home to the Royal Gorge Route Railroad.

Grab your camera for epic views as you drive through towering canyon walls that can get up to 1,000 feet high. 

The Royal Gorge Train offers a one-of-a-kind train experience with three-course dinners, wine tastings, and special event train rides like the Santa Express. 

Not to mention that during the entire trip you are traveling alongside the beautiful Arkansas River. 

The train ride starts in Canon City and continues for about an hour to Parkdale, Colorado. 

Pair this epic train ride with a day trip to the Royal Gorge to walk across the Bridge or spend a day at the amusement park nearby.

Grab Your Royal Gorge Bridge Tickets 😃 4.7/5 stars (100+ reviews)

3. Pikes Peak Cog Railway

As America’s Mountain, Pikes Peak sits at 14,115 feet high which makes the Pikes Peak Cog Railway one of the highest cog trains in the world.

After a lot of renovations, and some setbacks, the railway is back on track (ha!) for 2021 and open for business again.

This must-ride experience is not for the faint of heart and offers majestic views of the Rockies and valleys below.

On a clear day, the views can extend as far as neighboring states near Colorado.

The Pikes Peak Railway starts at Manitou Springs and continues up and down the mountain for about 3.5 hours roundtrip. 

We recommend getting your tickets in advance as this train ride is very popular, especially since the grand reopening.

On your journey up-and-down the mountain, be prepared for some of the most expansive views you’ve ever seen.

Plus, there’s lots of wildlife, birds, foliage, and fauna to be seen.

Grab Tickets to Pikes Peak COG Railway 🤩 5/5 stars (likely to sell out)

4. Georgetown Loop Railroad

Situated high in the Rocky Mountains, the Georgetown Loop Railroad is a Colorado train ride you just can’t miss.

And it’s centrally located just 45 miles from Denver.

True to its name, the train starts in Georgetown and loops around for an hour and 15 minutes to Silver Plume, Colorado.

This historic train was built in 1884 and is an engineering marvel to this day. It continues to be a popular Colorado train ride thanks to the picturesque views from all angles.

Unlike the other train rides listed, the Georgetown Loop travels through green forests and across towering cliff sides.

It passes over four bridges, two loops, and travels through Clear Creek Valley.

Throughout the year there are several themed train rides, specifically during the fall and winter months . 

Some of the most popular themed rides are the fall colors train tour and Santa’s Lighted Forest.

5. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge

Cripple Creek is one of our favorite places to visit, especially this time of year. One of activities that’s always on our list is riding the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Compared to the other train rides on this list, this one is a shorter but still gorgeous ride through the Rocky Mountains. 

This historic steam engine powered by coal leaves the station every 70 minutes from 10am to 5pm daily.

Board the historic 15-ton steam locomotive and sit in one of the open air cars. Take in the sights and enjoy the Colorado weather. 

This 4-mile ride starts in Cripple Creek and continues for about 45 minutes, making several stops along the way.

It’s a great spot for photo opps so be sure to bring your camera.

Along the way, listen in as the train conductor shares stories of old mines, native townsfolk, and the history of the town.

Plus, when booking your ticket in advance online via the Cripple Creek & Railroad website , you can save $1.00 per rider up to 4 tickets in total.

6. Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad

Climb aboard the Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad and get ready to see some stunning Colorado scenery. 

This 2.5 hour train ride travels to the famous Continental Divide and meanders through the San Isabel National Forest. 

Throughout the summer and fall months you can expect to see gorgeous colors thanks to brilliant wildflowers and autumn colors.

You’ll also travel through the Arkansas River Valley while seeing sights like Mount Elbert, the tallest mountain in Colorado.

Train tickets for the Leadville Railroad are only available from May through October. However, it’s become increasingly popular as the premier train ride for fall leaf-peeping.

There are also a variety of themed rides if you’re looking to spice things up from the traditional train ride.

7. Colorado Amtrak

In addition to the Colorado train rides listed here, Amtrak has multiple ways to get from one part of the state to the other. 

Thanks to two main railways, Amtrak offers stops in Colorado in towns like:

• Grand Junction
• Glenwood Springs

The California Zephyr is a high-speed train ride from Chicago to San Francisco with six stops in Colorado. The most popular boarding location is at Denver’s historic Union Station.

The Southwest Chief also travels through Colorado, mainly focusing on the southwest region, including a few stops in New Mexico. 

The train provides access to Colorado cities and historic sites like:

• Bent’s Old Fort

The Southwest Chief Amtrak train ride starts in Chicago and travels to Los Angeles and back.

When it comes to scenic train rides in Colorado, the state does not disappoint. From open-air cars to historic railways, there is something for everyone who likes trains in Colorado. 

Not only are the routes some of the most scenic, with panoramic views, but you may even have a chance to see some of the local wildlife, like bighorn sheep.

We hope this list of the best train rides in Colorado gives you an idea of where to plan your next trip!

You can also check out the Colorado Railroad Museum anytime you want to learn more about the state’s wild west and gold mining heritage.

Colorado Native & Personal Chef

Ryan Nicholson is a homegrown born and raised Colorado native. Being a rare unicorn to have grown up in CO, he has a unique perspective on the changes here and knows all the hidden spots to get outside in this state. Ryan's a classically French trained chef so he LOVES to try new foods and places to eat. When he's not experimenting in the kitchen or working as a personal chef along the Front Range, he loves to get outdoors and away from it all hiking, camping and backpacking.

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13 Best Scenic Train Rides in Colorado You Can’t Miss (2023)

• By jesse.sumrak

1. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Ride

The  Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Ride  is one of my favorite scenic train rides in Colorado. As a Ouray resident, I’ve had the opportunity to ride this train in various seasons for fun, adventure, and even holiday tradition.

You hop on the train in Durango, and it takes you on a beautiful 3.5-hour ride through the San Juan Mountains to the mining town of Silverton. The train ride features:

• Rolling hills
• Views of epic mountains
• Steep cliffs (close enough to touch…but don’t touch!)
• Narrows canyons
• Raging rapids

You’ll have a 2-hour layover in Silverton to explore, shop, and eat before hopping on the train to reverse the route back to Durango. It’s an all-day train adventure that’ll give you some of the best views of the San Juan Mountains from the not-so-cushy seats of a train.

Really, they’re not super-duper comfortable.

You can choose an open-air train car or an enclosed car—during the summer, I highly recommend the open-air option. You get much better views of the surrounding scenery, and there’s a bit more room for kids to walk around and explore.

Other Durango and Silverton Train Rides

Now, that’s just the  traditional  Durango and Silverton train ride experience, but the railroad has a few other options to explore:

• Cascade Canyon Express:  Condense your journey to just 5 hours (instead of 9+) while still seeing jaw-dropping scenery, geological features, and epic high mountain curves.
• Cascade Canyon Winter Train:  Take a trip to Cascade Canyon and back in the middle of winter for an unforgettable snow-bound train experience.
• The Polar Express:  Listen to the story of the Polar Express while dancing chefs serve you hot chocolate. You’ll visit the North Pole, and Santa Claus even makes a surprise appearance on the train to give each child the “first gift of Christmas.”

Backpackers can also use the train in the summer to get prime access to the Chicago Basin hiking area. During warm summer months, entire cars will get off and on at this destination to go experience the remote Weminuche Wilderness and bag some of Colorado’s most epic 14’ers.

2. Georgetown Loop Railroad 

The  Georgetown Loop Railroad  is arguably the best train ride near Denver, Colorado. It’s less than an hour’s drive away from the Mile High City and just a skip off I-70 to park and embark.

You’ll hop on the train for a short 2-mile ride between the historic mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume. Right from the get-go, the train takes you over a scenic bridge with thrilling vertical drops on both sides. This is the pinnacle of exposure on a bridge, and they help freeze the moment in time by completely stopping in the middle to allow for pictures. 

The train takes you over a handful of other bridges as it winds its way across the rocky canyon toward Silver Plume. Once you reach the end of your journey, you have the option to get off and explore some tourist attractions at Lebanon Silver Mine (you’ll pay for that  before  you get on the train). After the train gets sorted out, you’ll ride back to Georgetown to end your locomotive journey.

The Georgetown Loop Railroad is the perfect train ride for families because it’s not too long and not too short. You get just the right amount of time on the train without your kiddos getting bored or antsy—it’s a win-win for everyone.

3. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Train Ride

The  Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Train Ride  takes passengers on a 45-minute trip to see the rich history of the area’s gold mines. You’ll get to ride the 15-ton iron horse steam locomotive and see amazing views of Pikes Peak, Echo Valley, and historic gold mining camps. 

It’s a first-come, first-serve train ride, so you’ll need to get in line to earn yourself a spot. All the cars are open, and the train runs rain or shine—so prepare to get a little wet if the weather looks dicey.

The conductor narrates the entire journey, and these people are top-notch. They care about this area’s history, and they’ll share dozens of interesting facts you’ll  actually  want to hear. 

4. Royal Gorge Route Railroad

Despite its breathtaking views, the Royal Gorge is still a  Colorado hidden gem  (relatively). Seriously, ask a Colorado local if they’ve been to the Royal Gorge, and you’d be surprised by how few have visited (and how few know about it).

The Royal Gorge Railroad  takes you through the winding gorge and gives you a unique bottom-up view of the tall cliffs, the winding Arkansas River, and the Royal Gorge Bridge (one of the world’s tallest suspension bridges).

Unlike most of the train rides on this list, the Royal Gorge Railroad feels a bit more ritzy. They offer first-class seating and dining, and the train also features themed rides like  Murder Mystery Dinner Train ,  Mother’s Day Train,  and  Royal Afternoon Tea at the Mansion .

5. Colorado Amtrak

The  California Zephyr train  passes through the heart of Colorado, making a stop in Denver as it makes its way between the end destinations of Chicago and Emeryville, San Francisco. You get a taste of everything the Western United States has to offer on this long train ride:

• Snow-capped Sierra Nevadas
• Desert terrain
• Rocky Mountains
• Glenwood Canyon
• Winter Park
• Moffat Tunnel
• San Pablo Bay

The train serves over 30 train stations along the journey, but here are the notable stops in Colorado:

• Fort Morgan, CO (FMG)
• Denver, CO – Union Station (DEN)
• Fraser-Winter Park, CO (WIP)
• Granby, CO (GRA)
• Glenwood Springs, CO (GSC)
• Grand Junction, CO (GJT)

This is not a “historical” train ride. You’ll get cushy seats, sleeper cars, dining options, and observation cars for a comfortable traveling experience. 

6. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad

The  Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad  takes riders on a 65-mile journey through Toltec Gorge and over the 10,000-foot Cumbres Pass—hence, the name. It’s a 6.5-hour ride with amazing views the entire way, and the train itself is a National Historic Landmark. 

The railroad describes itself as the “longest, the highest and most authentic steam railroad in North America.” You cross the state border with New Mexico 11 times as you zigzag through canyons, tunnels, and trestles. Right from the get-go, the train leaves the station and begins a steep 4% climb into the mountains.

You’ll see:

• Old mining camps
• 600-foot deep walls of Toltec Gorge
• 137-foot-tall Cascade Creek Trestle
• Chama Valley
• Tanglefoot Curve
• Rio de los Pinos

7. Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad

The  Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad  takes you on a 2.5-hour train ride to the Continental Divide with amazing panoramic views of the Arkansas River Valley and Leadville’s colorful mining past. 

Along the way, you’ll see Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive (Colorado’s 2 tallest mountains), Freemont Pass, and the thick trees of the San Isabel National Forest. Depending on the time of year, you’ll also see fields of vibrant wildflowers surrounding the train as it meanders through the hills and mountains.

8. Tiny Town and Railroad

Tiny Town and Railroad  is far from a  traditional  scenic Colorado train ride experience, but it’s something your children might appreciate even more. They’ll feel like giants in this children-sized town filled with replica buildings and a miniature train built for them.

It’s a 10-minute train ride that takes you around the unique park, and it’s powered by a real steam engine. The park is actually a decent size, with tons of shade-providing trees and over 100 tiny buildings. Oh, and the train ride is just $2 per ticket. This place is  not  a tourist rip-off—it’s a genuinely good time for kids and train enthusiasts.

9. Rockies to the Red Rocks

The  Rocky Mountaineer  train takes travelers for a colorful ride through western Colorado’s red rock territory. It stops in Denver, Glenwood Springs, and Moab, UT, as it winds through canyons and happens upon vast desert expanses. 

Between Moab and Glenwood Springs, you’ll see incredible views of Mount Garfield and Ruby Canyon. Enjoy the springs for the rest of the evening before getting on the train for Day 2 between Glenwood Springs and Denver. This portion of the train ride crosses the Continental Divide with the 6.3-mile Moffat Tunnel. 

10. The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway  is the highest cog train in the world, taking riders from Manitou Springs all the way up to the top of Pikes Peak (at 14,115 feet). It’s a 3.5-hour roundtrip ride with magical views of the Rocky Mountains and never-ending views of the plains to the east.

Discover Katharine Lee Bates’s inspiration for writing the song “America the Beautiful.” When she arrived on top of Pikes Peak, she wrote, “All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.”

It’s hard to disagree.

While Pikes Peak is the star of the show, you’ll also get to experience dozens of other sights along your 9-mile trip to the top:

• Ruxton Creek
• Englemann Canyon
• Minnehaha Falls

Want to mix up your adventure? Hike up Pikes Peak and save your knees with a quick trip down on the Cog Railway. Oh, and enjoy a high-altitude doughnut at the summit for top-notch fuel.

11. Ridgway Railroad Museum & Train Ride

The  Ridgway Railroad Museum  features historic Colorado train equipment, and you can go out and view the cars at any time. However, you’ll need to wait until they’re open to look inside the cars and museum.

Come visit on a Saturday, and you can get a free ride on Motor No. 1 and Goose No. 4 as it rides around the few acres of property. You’ll get stellar views of the Cimarrons and Mt. Sneffels as you make loops around the train yard.

12. Winter Park Express Ski Train

The  Winter Park Express Ski Train  operates in partnership with Amtrak to take ski enthusiasts from Downtown Denver to the high-altitude slopes of Winter Park Resort. You can ride the train from mid-January to the end of March during peak ski season to avoid I-70 traffic and enjoy the no-stress adventure of train rides and skiing.

You could even take plane to train by flying into Denver International Airport and taking the A-Line to Union Station in Downtown Denver. It’s an expensive route to get to Winter Park, but the nature of public traveling feels almost European (almost).

13. Southwest Chief

The  Southwest Chief  is another Amtrak line that connects Chicago and Los Angeles with a few stops in Colorado’s southwest region:

• Lamar, CO (LMR)
• La Junta, CO (LAJ)
• Trinidad, CO (TRI)

These are seldom-visited Colorado towns with lots of natural beauty and adventure to offer. Visit Trinidad Lake for top-notch camping, hiking, boating, and fishing, or go on an epic hike up the Spanish Peaks.

14. [Bonus – Closed] Rio Grande Scenic Railroad

The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad takes travelers on a beautiful route from Alamosa to La Veta in Southern Colorado. The steam and diesel trains provide amazing views of the San Luis Valley and a handful of crossings through historic train towns.

Unfortunately, the Rio Grand Scenic Railroad is closed for the time being as owners look for new buyers. 

Where Will Your Colorado Train Ride Take You?

Sometimes, a train ride is a train ride—you get to enjoy riding a classic locomotive vehicle while experiencing breathtaking views and fresh air. And other times, a train ride in Colorado is simply a convenient means to adventure.

Need an adventure idea to fuel your stoke? We’ve got just the thing. Explore all the  hidden gems that Colorado  has to offer by  subscribing to the Unknown Colorado newsletter . You’ll get weekly adventure ideas to take you off the beaten path and onto your next epic journey. 

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