10 Denver Train Rides With Stunning Mountain Views
Denver sits right at the edge of the Rocky Mountains, making it the perfect starting point for incredible train adventures. Riding these historic rails gives you front-row seats to some of Colorado’s most breathtaking scenery.
Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, these train rides offer unforgettable views and experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
1. Georgetown Loop Railroad
Picture yourself climbing through narrow mountain passes on a train that’s been running since 1884. The Georgetown Loop takes you across the famous Devil’s Gate High Bridge, suspended 100 feet above the canyon floor.
You’ll wind through old mining territory where silver once ruled the economy. The 70-minute journey includes sharp curves and incredible overlooks that photographers absolutely love.
Kids get a kick out of the vintage coaches and the chance to explore an actual silver mine.
2. Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Riding along the Arkansas River while towering granite walls rise 1,000 feet on either side creates an experience you won’t soon forget. This route follows the same path that gold seekers traveled over a century ago.
I recommend booking the Vista Dome car for unobstructed ceiling-to-floor views. The two-hour journey includes gourmet dining options that make the trip feel extra special.
Wildlife sightings happen regularly, especially bighorn sheep scaling the rocky cliffs above.
3. Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Climbing to 14,115 feet, this railway takes you higher than any other train in North America. The three-hour round trip showcases four different ecosystems as you ascend America’s Mountain.
Starting in forests filled with aspens and pines, you’ll eventually reach treeless alpine tundra where only the hardiest plants survive. The summit views stretch across Colorado, New Mexico, and Kansas on clear days.
Bring layers because temperatures drop significantly at the top, even in summer.
4. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Coal-fired steam engines still power this authentic Wild West experience through the San Juan National Forest. Your journey follows the Animas River through remote wilderness that roads can’t reach.
The 45-mile route to the historic mining town of Silverton takes about three and a half hours each way. You’ll pass cascading waterfalls, abandoned mines, and meadows where elk and deer graze peacefully.
Open-air gondola cars let you feel the mountain breeze and smell the pine trees.
5. Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad
At 10,152 feet elevation, Leadville holds the title of America’s highest incorporated city, and this train ride showcases why the altitude matters. You’ll travel through pristine wilderness where gold and silver prospectors once searched for fortune.
The 2.5-hour journey crosses the Continental Divide watershed and offers spectacular views of Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, Colorado’s two tallest peaks. Fall colors here are absolutely stunning when aspens turn golden.
Bring binoculars for spotting mountain wildlife.
6. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Straddling the Colorado-New Mexico border, this railway climbs to 10,015 feet at Cumbres Pass, making it America’s highest steam railroad. The 64-mile journey takes you back to 1880s railroading with completely authentic equipment and routes.
You’ll cross the stunning Cascade Trestle and wind through Toltec Gorge, where rock walls tower 600 feet overhead. The full-day adventure includes lunch in the remote mountain town of Osier.
Wildflowers blanket the meadows throughout summer months.
7. Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Recently rebuilt with state-of-the-art trains, this railway combines modern comfort with historic charm dating back to 1891. Large panoramic windows ensure everyone gets amazing views regardless of where they sit.
The biodiesel-powered trains are environmentally friendly while still delivering the power needed to conquer steep grades. You’ll gain nearly 8,000 feet in elevation during the nine-mile climb.
Summit temperatures average 40 degrees cooler than at the base, so plan accordingly for weather changes.
8. Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
Rolling through the vast San Luis Valley, this train offers a completely different mountain experience with wide-open vistas. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains rise dramatically to the east while the San Juans tower to the west.
Multiple route options let you choose between two-hour rides or full-day excursions to historic mountain towns. The valley sits at 7,500 feet elevation, creating unique high-desert scenery.
Sunset rides provide magical lighting as alpenglow paints the peaks pink and orange.
9. Amtrak California Zephyr – Denver to Winter Park
Picture yourself gliding through the Moffat Tunnel, a six-mile engineering marvel carved straight through the Continental Divide. The California Zephyr’s Denver to Winter Park segment ranks among America’s most scenic rail routes, treating passengers to jaw-dropping views of rugged peaks and alpine valleys.
This affordable journey takes roughly two hours and climbs over 4,000 feet in elevation. Large panoramic windows frame every twist and turn as the train navigates narrow canyons and crosses historic trestle bridges. Winter brings a magical quality when fresh snow blankets the evergreens.
Families love this route because kids can move around freely while soaking in the scenery. Book early during ski season since Winter Park attracts crowds of powder-seekers heading to the slopes.
10. Colorado Railroad Museum Steam Trains
Ever wonder what train travel felt like a century ago? The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden brings that history alive with authentic steam train rides that chug along scenic tracks with Table Mountain and the Front Range creating a stunning backdrop.
These short but memorable excursions run on select weekends throughout the year, featuring lovingly restored locomotives that hiss, whistle, and rumble just like they did in the Old West days. The museum sits just fifteen miles west of downtown Denver, making it an easy day trip.
Kids go absolutely wild for the hands-on experience of riding behind real steam power. The open-air cars let you feel the mountain breeze while photographers capture Instagram-worthy shots of vintage railcars against Colorado’s famous blue skies.
