Colorado Train Trips

Combining the very best of what the Rocky Mountain wilderness has to offer, visitors can experience fascinating railroad excursions during their visit to the Alpenglow Adventure Trail. Adventures can last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours and include an itinerary of things to see and do while there. The Georgetown Loop Railroad Tour takes you on a journey back to the booming silver rush days of the 1880s and includes a tour of an actual working silver mine and a delicious picnic lunch in the serene mountain park. Experience the Colorado Rocky Mountains with a 12-hour train ride on the Royal Gorge Tour; tour includes departing from Canon City depot, a picnic lunch on the riverbank of the Arkansas River, and hearing the tales of the Royal Gorge Railroad War.

P.O. Box 2125, Frisco, CO 80443, Phone: 970-468-7777

A treat for the whole family, a visit to Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad is a scenic adventure you’ll be talking about for years to come. The train trip brings passengers on a scenic journey that will take them back to the days of gold mining. The century-old steam locomotive chugs out of the 1984 depot through Cripple Creek, past Midland Terminal Wye, and through historical mines near the abandoned mining camp of Anaconda. The ride is a fascinating experience and lasts 45 minutes, with a new tour leaving every 40 minutes from mid-May through mid-October.

520 E Carr Avenue, Cripple Creek, CO 80813, Phone: 719-689-2640

Designated a National Historic Landmark, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a narrow-gauge heritage railroad that takes passengers on a 64-mile journey between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico. The trip offers picturesque views of some of the most stunning sites in the area that can’t be seen through other modes of transport, including through Toltec Gorge and Cumbres Pass. Other famed sites include a water tank used in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the 1883 Lobato Trestle, and a gorgeous small canyon past Hamilton’s Point. Passengers will stop for lunch in Osier and see many historical and beautiful sites along the way.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum offers a scenic ride on a restored steam train that ends with a visit to the museum, displaying artifacts and machinery related to the railroad. There are two tour packages, both of which highlight the history and culture of southwestern Colorado: The Mesa Verde Discovery Tour is a guided interpretive journey that will let you explore the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, while the Historic Silverton Mining Tour lets you take a 4-hour trip from Silverton to Durango and back while exploring the historical mines and backroads of San Juan County in between.

479 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301, Phone: 877-872-4607

The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a 3-foot narrow-gauge heritage railroad located within the Rocky Mountains. The Lebanon and Everett Mine Tour is a fun adventure that will take you through Lebanon Mine, past the Mine Mill, and even let you try your hand at gold panning at the Everett. An additional treat is being able to get up close and personal with the burros at the Silver Mine. The train ride itself runs between Silver Plume and Georgetown on a journey through mountainous terrain. The railroad is owned by the Colorado Historical Society and is listed on both the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

646 Loop Drive, Georgetown, CO 80444, Phone: 303-569-2030

The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad Company is a tourist railroad that will take passengers through Denver, South Park, all way to the Continental Divide. The journey is full of picturesque views of the Arkansas River Valley, which visitors can enjoy while learning all about Leadville’s colorful past. The 2.5-hour adventure winds through the wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest and is also the world’s tenth highest railway by elevation, going up to 11,201 feet. Many adventure tours are available and combine the train ride with activities such as ziplining through the Rockies or whitewater rafting down the rapids in Brown’s Canyon.

326 E 7th Street, Leadville, CO 80461, Phone: 719-486-3936

Located in Canon City, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad is a heritage railroad that takes visitors on a 2-hour historical train ride complete with scenic views of one of the most well-known portions of the former Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. Departing the Santa Fe Depot in Canon City daily, passengers can ride on the 1950s-era train year round, making for stunning sights during each season. The memorable train ride also includes great service and delicious food, which is prepared fresh on the train using locally sourced ingredients. A special murder-mystery train ride is held every once in a while for a fun and exciting exploratory trip of the area.

330 Royal Gorge Blvd., Canon City, CO 81212, Phone: 719-276-4000