12 Historic Train Routes In Colorado With The Most Scenic Views
Colorado’s mountains hold secrets that only a train can truly reveal.
Winding through canyons, climbing toward snow-capped peaks, and rolling past wildflower meadows, these historic railways offer more than just transportation—they’re time machines on tracks.
Whether you’re chasing autumn gold or summer green, these journeys will leave you breathless.
Let me take you through twelve unforgettable rides that showcase the Rockies at their absolute finest.
1. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Picture this: a coal-fired steam engine chugging up to 10,015 feet, the highest point any passenger train reaches in North America.
That’s exactly what you’ll experience on this beauty stretching between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico.
The 64-mile route hasn’t changed much since 1880, and that’s the magic of it.
Wooden trestles creak beneath you as you cross deep gorges, and the scent of pine fills the air.
You’ll pass through tunnels carved by hand and see wildflowers carpeting meadows in summer.
Autumn transforms the aspen groves into shimmering gold curtains that seem endless.
Photographers go wild here—every curve reveals another postcard moment.
The journey takes a full day, so pack snacks and dress in layers.
This isn’t just a train ride; it’s a step back into Colorado’s mining past, complete with authentic coaches and that unforgettable steam whistle echoing through the valleys.
2. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Legends are born on rails like these.
Since 1882, this narrow gauge marvel has connected Durango to the remote mining town of Silverton, snaking through the San Juan National Forest like a ribbon of history.
The Animas River rushes alongside you, its turquoise waters contrasting against rust-colored canyon walls.
You’ll climb nearly 3,000 feet over 45 miles, passing through terrain so rugged that roads never dared to follow.
Waterfalls tumble down sheer cliffs, and if you’re lucky, you might spot elk grazing in alpine meadows.
Winter rides are particularly enchanting, with snow frosting every pine branch.
The coal smoke and rhythmic clatter create a soundtrack you won’t forget.
Silverton itself feels frozen in time—a perfect lunch stop before the return journey.
Pro tip: sit on the north side heading up for the best river views, then switch sides coming back down for mountain vistas.
3. Georgetown Loop Railroad
Engineering genius meets natural beauty on this incredible loop.
Completed in 1884, this railway was considered an impossible feat—how do you gain 600 feet in
elevation over just two miles?The answer: spirals, bridges, and pure determination.
The famous Devil’s Gate High Bridge stands 95 feet above Clear Creek, and crossing it feels like floating between earth and sky.
Georgetown and Silver Plume, two historic mining towns, bookend this short but spectacular journey.
The route twists through rocky canyons where bighorn sheep sometimes pose on ledges.
What makes this ride special is its accessibility—perfect for families and those short on time.
The round trip takes about 70 minutes, but you can add a mine tour at the Lebanon Silver Mine for extra adventure.
Fall colors explode here in late September, painting the canyon in fiery oranges and yellows that photographers dream about year-round.
4. Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Ever wanted to feel absolutely tiny?
This train will do exactly that as it rolls through the bottom of Royal Gorge, where granite walls soar over 1,000 feet straight up on both sides.
The Arkansas River rushes beside you, and hawks circle overhead like they’re showing off.
The journey between Canon City and Parkdale takes two hours, but time seems to stretch differently when you’re surrounded by such raw geology.
You’ll pass beneath the famous Royal Gorge Bridge—once the world’s highest suspension bridge—and the perspective from below is absolutely mind-bending.
Dinner trains offer gourmet meals served on white tablecloths while the scenery scrolls past your window.
Spring brings wildflowers clinging to impossible cliff faces, while winter dusts the rim with snow that glows pink at sunset.
The open-air observation car is where you want to be on clear days, feeling the canyon’s cool breath and hearing the river’s constant song.
5. The Broadmoor Manitou And Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Climbing to 14,115 feet, this railway holds a special place in Colorado’s heart.
Katharine Lee Bates rode this very route in 1893, and the summit view inspired her to write “America the Beautiful.”
You’ll understand why the moment you step off at the top.
The journey starts in Manitou Springs and takes you through four distinct climate zones in just under nine miles.
Aspen forests give way to twisted bristlecone pines, then suddenly you’re above treeline where only tundra plants survive.
Marmots whistle warnings as you pass, and the air grows thinner with every switchback.
At the summit, you can see four states on clear days—a 360-degree panorama that makes your heart race (and not just from the altitude!).
The cog system grips the rail teeth, allowing safe travel on grades up to 25 percent.
Bundle up even in summer; the peak can be 30 degrees colder than the base, with winds that remind you why mountains command respect.
6. Leadville Railroad
North America’s highest elevation standard gauge railroad runs from Leadville, already sitting at 10,152 feet.
That means you’re starting higher than most mountains’ summits, and the views just get better from there.
The two-and-a-half-hour journey climbs even higher into the Rockies’ heart.
You’ll roll past abandoned mines that once produced more silver than anywhere else on Earth, their weathered structures standing as monuments to boom-and-bust days.
Mount Elbert and Mount Massive—Colorado’s two tallest peaks—dominate the skyline, their summits often wrapped in clouds that look close enough to touch.
Aspen groves shimmer in the breeze, and wildflowers bloom in impossible profusion during July.
The railroad follows the old Colorado & Southern route, and conductors share tales of the miners, merchants, and dreamers who built this town.
Bring your camera and maybe some altitude sickness remedies—the thin air here affects everyone differently, but the beauty makes every breath worthwhile.
7. Colorado Railroad Museum Train Rides
Golden, Colorado, hosts more than just a museum—it’s a living celebration of railroad history.
On select days, vintage locomotives fire up and offer rides around the 15-acre property, and suddenly you’re not just observing history, you’re riding it.
The collection includes over 100 narrow and standard gauge engines and cars.
Kids go absolutely wild here, especially when they can climb into engineer cabs and ring authentic bells.
The short rides might not cover vast distances, but they pack incredible authenticity.
Steam engine days are particularly special, with black smoke puffing and whistles shrieking just like they did a century ago.
The museum sits against a backdrop of mountains that frame every photo perfectly.
Volunteers, many of them retired railroad workers, share stories that bring each piece of rolling stock to life.
It’s not about scenic mountain vistas here—it’s about getting up close with the machines that conquered those mountains, feeling the heat from fireboxes, and understanding why trains captured America’s imagination so completely.
8. Rio Grande Scenic Excursions
The San Luis Valley unfolds like a secret only trains can properly reveal.
Rio Grande Scenic Excursions runs several routes from Alamosa, each showcasing different facets of this high desert basin surrounded by mountain ranges.
The landscape here feels almost otherworldly—vast, open, and painted in earth tones that shift with the light.
One route takes you toward La Veta Pass, climbing through terrain that transitions from sagebrush flats to pine forests.
Another heads north along the original Denver & Rio Grande route, where you can spot the Great Sand Dunes in the distance, looking like a mirage against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Antelope bound across the plains, and hawks patrol the skies.
What strikes you most is the silence between the train sounds—this valley feels removed from time itself.
The air is so clear that mountains fifty miles away look close enough to touch.
Sunset rides are particularly magical when alpenglow turns the peaks pink and gold.
9. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Gold fever built this railway, and you can still feel that prospector spirit.
Starting from the historic mining town of Cripple Creek, this four-mile loop takes 45 minutes but packs in enough history and scenery to fill a whole day’s conversation.
The narrow gauge track winds past abandoned mines, their headframes still standing like skeletal sentinels.
Your conductor doubles as storyteller, sharing tales of the gold rush that created this district—once the world’s greatest gold camp.
You’ll pass the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine and see where fortunes were made and lost in equal measure.
The surrounding hills are scarred with prospect holes, each one representing someone’s dream.
Summer wildflowers soften the mining landscape, adding splashes of purple and yellow to the rusty browns.
The train itself is a restored steam locomotive that looks like it rolled straight out of 1890s photographs.
At nearly 10,000 feet elevation, the air is crisp and the views extend for miles across the mountains that still hold gold in their ancient rock.
10. Rio Grande 315 Special Excursions
Sometimes magic happens when preservation societies fire up historic engines for special events.
The Rio Grande 315—a beautiful 2-8-0 Consolidation-type steam locomotive built in 1895—occasionally runs excursions that sell out faster than concert tickets.
When she rolls, railfans come from across the country to witness and ride behind this living piece of history.
These aren’t regular scheduled trips, making them even more special when they happen.
Routes vary depending on track availability and event partnerships, but they often showcase Colorado’s most photogenic railroad landscapes.
The 315 has been meticulously restored, her brass polished to mirror shine and her steam whistle capable of echoing through entire valleys.
Riding behind authentic steam power feels completely different from diesel excursions—there’s romance in the rhythmic chuffing, the smell of coal smoke, and the way the entire train seems alive.
Check the Colorado Railroad Museum’s calendar for upcoming trips, and book early because seats disappear quickly among enthusiasts who understand they’re not just buying a train ride but a time-traveling experience.
11. Amtrak California Zephyr (Colorado Route)
Cross-country train travel reaches its absolute peak during the Colorado portion of this legendary route.
Running daily between Denver and Grand Junction, the California Zephyr tackles some of the most spectacular railroad engineering in America as it climbs through the Rockies and follows the
Colorado River through canyons that will make your jaw drop.
This isn’t a tourist train—it’s working transportation that happens to be stunningly beautiful.
The climb through the Moffat Tunnel takes you under the Continental Divide at 9,239 feet, emerging into Winter Park’s ski country.
Then comes Glenwood Canyon, where the train, river, and highway share a narrow gorge between towering walls of red and white rock.
You’ll pass through tunnels, across bridges, and along ledges that seem impossibly narrow.
Unlike short excursions, this journey lets you settle in, maybe grab lunch in the dining car, and watch Colorado’s geography unfold like a slow-motion film.
The ride between Denver and Glenwood Springs takes about six hours—perfect for a day trip if you book both directions.
12. Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad
Here’s another Leadville gem that deserves its own spotlight.
Operating from May through September, this railroad offers multiple trip options, including a standard scenic ride and longer excursions to old mining sites.
Starting from America’s highest incorporated city means every direction you look, mountains tower above you.
The train follows the headwaters of the Arkansas River through a valley that turns absolutely golden when aspens change color in September.
You’ll see beaver ponds reflecting peaks, old mining cabins slowly returning to earth, and possibly moose browsing in willow thickets.
The railroad uses both diesel locomotives and vintage railcars that have been beautifully maintained.
What I love about this route is how it balances accessibility with authenticity—it’s family-friendly but doesn’t sacrifice the real railroad experience.
Conductors share mining history and point out geological features that tell the story of how these mountains formed.
The thin air at this elevation makes the sky an impossible shade of blue that photographers spend entire careers trying to capture accurately.