A Colorado steam train crosses a mountain pass at 10,015 feet, the highest pass reached by rail in the country. It still burns coal to get up there, puffing like it’s late for a very important date.
Elsewhere on this list, the rails thread through a river canyon that roads can’t reach. A different line climbs to a summit whose views helped inspire the song “America the Beautiful.”
I have a soft spot for trips where my only job is staring out a big window at the scenery. Somebody else handles the steep grades and hairpin turns, and I handle the snack bag.
A few of these rides fill a whole day, and a couple wrap up well before lunchtime. Grab a window seat early, because the mountains don’t do reruns.
1. Georgetown Loop Railroad
A bridge called Devil’s Gate sounds like trouble, yet it ranks among the best seats in the Rockies. The Devil’s Gate High Bridge is the showstopper on this short, twisty route.
Finished in 1884, the line was considered an engineering marvel in its day. It still winds through Clear Creek Canyon between Georgetown and Silver Plume, serving as a living museum on rails.
During the main season, the round trip takes about 75 minutes. From mid-October through early January, the ride shrinks to roughly 55 minutes.
Steam locomotives generally run from Memorial Day weekend through early October. The railroad notes that steam isn’t guaranteed, so set your heart on the views instead.
Open box cars in the coach section have bench seating with open sides in summer. Come winter, those cars get enclosed and heated, which your fingers will appreciate.
Prefer a little comfort with your canyon? Parlor Cars are fully enclosed with upholstered booths, plus snacks and a non-alcoholic beverage on board.
History fans can pair the ride with a guided tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine. Mine tours run April through September, and family gold panning is another add-on.
Holiday seekers get plenty of options too, like Pumpkinfest, Santa’s Lighted Forest, and a New Years Train. The season runs from April into early January, with themed rides sprinkled throughout.
Weekends get busy, so reserving ahead saves headaches. Got food allergies? Tell the team when booking and again at boarding.
Address: 646 Loop Dr, Georgetown, CO 80444
2. Cumbres And Toltec Scenic Railroad
Indiana Jones rode these rails long before you did. The 1880 line appears in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which gives your ticket some serious movie cred.
Stretching 64 miles, the route zigzags across the Colorado and New Mexico border. It’s the longest and highest narrow-gauge steam railroad in North America, powered by coal-fired engines.
From the Antonito side, the scenery starts with wide high desert plains. Then the land shifts dramatically into forests, meadows, and sheer canyon walls.
The big moment comes at the Toltec Gorge, where the rim drops about 800 feet. Down below, the Rio de Los Pinos flows past while you try to remember to blink.
Keep watch for named landmarks along the way. Mud Tunnel has timber beams, Rock Tunnel cuts through stone, and Phantom Curve bends like a question mark.
Eventually the train conquers Cumbres Pass at 10,015 feet. No other mountain pass in the United States is reached by rail at that height.
A full-day trip runs about 6.5 hours, so bring patience and a camera with a charged battery. Shorter loops work better for families with wiggly kids.
The regular season usually runs from late May through late October. Special trains add brunch and dinner rides, wildflower and geology themes, and a nighttime Dark Sky train.
Call it a National Historic Landmark on wheels. Honestly, the title fits.
Address: 5234 US-285, Antonito, CO 81120
3. Leadville Railroad
Two of Colorado’s tallest peaks, Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, loom over the route out of Leadville, and they don’t charge extra for the cameo.
The trip lasts about two and a half hours and climbs 1,000 feet. Along the way, the train rolls through the San Isabel National Forest.
Big views come in layers here. You’ll spot Fremont Pass, the high peaks, and the wide sweep of the Arkansas River Valley.
Narration keeps things lively with humorous stories about Leadville’s colorful past. Mining towns rarely had boring histories, and this one leans into it.
Restless riders will love the freedom to move between open and closed cars. Lounge Cars offer enclosed booths with large windows that actually open.
Got a four-legged travel buddy? Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard, which is a rare treat on a scenic train.
Up front, a 1955 diesel engine does the heavy lifting. The depot itself dates to 1896, and tourist rides began here in 1988.
Snack fans can grab popcorn, chips, candy, and hot or cold drinks from concessions. A gift shop handles your souvenir needs.
Summer trips run from Memorial Day weekend into early October, with extra departures from mid-June to mid-August. Seasonal specials include Wildflower Tours and the Holiday Express.
Address: 326 E 7th St, Leadville, CO 80461
4. Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Two railroads once fought so hard over this canyon that history calls it the Royal Gorge War. The Rio Grande and Santa Fe battled in court during the late 1870s for the right to lay track here.
Lucky for you, the dispute is long settled. Passenger service ended in 1967, then returned in 1999, and the canyon has been on display ever since.
The trip lasts about two hours and runs along the Arkansas River. Granite walls rise more than 1,000 feet above the water, so tilt your head back often.
Window lovers have choices. Full-length Dome, Dining, and Coach Cars feature big windows, while an open observation car delivers 360-degree views.
Food takes center stage on this train. Meals are prepared fresh on board for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
First Class lunch is a three-course affair with mains like slow-roasted prime rib or braised buffalo short ribs. Spinach lasagna and seared salmon are also on the list.
Some cars have restored dark oak interiors with white-linen tables and banquette seats. It’s fancy, but nobody will stop you from pressing your nose to the glass.
Up to four trips depart each day at 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m., but some departures operate only on select dates. That evening run makes a fun twist on dinner plans.
Need a wheelchair lift? Deluxe and Coach classes can accommodate one, though the Vista Dome isn’t wheelchair accessible.
Address: 401 Water St, Cañon City, CO 81212
5. Durango And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Nine hours on a train sounds like a lot until you learn the view includes a canyon no car can reach. The Animas River Canyon has no road access, so the rails are your only ticket in.
Back in 1882, this line was built to haul silver and gold ore out of the San Juan Mountains. Today it’s a National Historic Landmark, and vintage steam locomotives still do the pulling.
In summer, the train covers 45.4 miles each way between Durango and Silverton. Winter trips run 26 miles each way to Cascade Station, so the season shapes your adventure.
Seat choice matters here, and the options are plentiful. Open-air gondolas run May through October, while closed coach cars operate year-round.
Hunting for the ultimate window? The First Class Silver Vista car offers a glass ceiling, oversized seats, and a private outdoor viewing platform.
The newer Knight Sky car also has glass ceilings and leather first-class seating. In summer, its windows come out entirely for a breezy open-air ride.
First Class perks include an onboard attendant, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, a morning pastry, and a souvenir mug. Not a bad trade for sitting still and gawking at cliffs.
Pack layers, especially for a gondola, because elevation changes can catch you off guard. Booking ahead is smart, since this Colorado classic draws serious crowds.
Before or after the ride, swing through the railroad museum, where admission is free. Its exhibits and artifacts give the old machinery a well-earned spotlight.
Address: 479 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301
6. The Broadmoor Manitou And Pikes Peak Cog Railway
A view so good it became a song? That’s the claim here, since the scenery from this mountain helped inspire America the Beautiful.
Billed as the world’s highest cog railway, the train climbs to the summit of Pikes Peak, more than 14,000 feet up. The trip covers about 9 miles, and a conductor narrates history and local lore the whole way.
Things start in steep canyons with tumbling streams and giant boulders. Then come seas of quaking aspen before the train rises above the timberline.
Up top, the views stretch across the plains, Colorado Springs, and the snowy Continental Divide. The new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center waits for you at the peak.
Quick seat tip: the side you ride up is the side you ride down. Choose wisely, because swapping isn’t part of the deal.
History runs deep here. The railway was completed in 1890, and the first passengers reached the summit in 1891.
Spencer Penrose bought it in 1925, and The Broadmoor has run it ever since. Swiss-made railcars have been in use since 1965, and the line reopened after a three-year rebuild.
Trains are heated and run year-round, weather permitting. Outside food isn’t allowed, except water, but you can buy snacks at the depot.
Parking at the depot costs a fee. A free shuttle from Manitou Springs makes things easier on busy weekends.
Address: 515 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
7. Cripple Creek And Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Steam whistles, mountain air, and a little gold rush history make this ride feel like a trip back in time.
The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad carries passengers through Colorado’s historic mining country aboard vintage steam-powered trains.
The journey begins in Cripple Creek, a former gold mining boomtown tucked into the mountains west of Colorado Springs. From the moment the locomotive starts rolling, the scenery takes center stage.
The four-mile round trip lasts about 45 minutes, making it one of the shorter scenic train adventures in Colorado. That is good news for families with young children or travelers working with a packed itinerary.
Along the way, the tracks pass historic mining sites, wooded hillsides, and open mountain landscapes. The route follows part of the old railroad corridor through the area’s gold mining district.
The train crosses a reconstructed trestle and travels toward Echo Valley before turning around. Keep your camera ready, because the changing views offer plenty of chances for memorable photographs.
History comes along for the ride. Onboard narration shares stories about the region’s mining past and the railroads that once helped support its booming communities.
The railroad opened as a tourist attraction in 1967, and its historic steam locomotives remain the main attraction. The sounds of the engine add a little extra drama to the mountain scenery.
All passenger cars are open-air, so dress for the weather. Even on sunny days, the mountain air can feel cool, especially when the train starts moving.
The railroad operates seasonally, generally from mid-May through early October. Trains depart several times throughout the day, and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
After your ride, spend some time exploring historic downtown Cripple Creek. Old buildings, local shops, and mining history make it easy to turn a short train excursion into a longer mountain outing.
Address: 520 E Carr St, Cripple Creek, CO 80813
8. Colorado Railroad Museum
More than 100 vintage trains live at one spot in Golden, which is basically a petting zoo for rail fans. Engines, cars, and steam giants spread across a mostly outdoor property.
The setting does half the work. The museum sits right up against the Rocky Mountain foothills, with Table Mountain’s mesas rising nearby.
Here’s your window seat moment. A train ride circles the property, letting you roll past old locomotives with the foothills as a backdrop.
It’s a shorter trip than the canyon epics on this list. Still, it’s a great pick for little riders who might not last six hours.
Indoors, a massive HO scale model railroad steals plenty of attention. Kids tend to press up close, and plenty of adults do too.
Curious how old trains get a second life? The restoration shed gives you a peek at the hands-on work behind the shiny exhibits.
A miniature railroad adds even more fun for younger visitors. Changing tables and free Wi-Fi help parents get through the day smoothly.
Bring snacks, since there’s no restaurant on site. The gift shop covers souvenirs for the train-obsessed person in your life.
Weekends get busy, so Tuesday through Friday is your best bet for elbow room. The museum is closed Mondays, so plan your Colorado road trip around that.
Address: 17155 W 44th Ave, Golden, CO 80403