It’s not an exaggeration to say that railroads built Colorado. Whether they were carrying miners to booming camps, hauling timber and crops to market or just getting people from one rugged corner of the state to another, the state’s network of rail lines helped transform an untamed frontier into an economic engine.
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Today, many of those same routes have found a second life, carrying travelers through some of the West’s most spectacular scenery while offering a glimpse into Colorado’s storied past.
Royal Gorge Route
Few places capture that blend of history and scenery better than the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Completed in 1880 as part of the race to reach Leadville’s rich silver mines, the line once served as a major passenger and freight corridor through the Rocky Mountains.
Now, a revived 12-mile stretch carries visitors alongside the Arkansas River beneath the Royal Gorge Bridge, past the historic Hanging Bridge and through a canyon where bighorn sheep are often spotted on the sheer granite walls rising nearly 1,000 feet above the river.
“The Royal Gorge speaks for itself,” said owner Mark Greska, who purchased the railroad in 1998. “It’s a special place, and I never tire of it.”
Passengers experience that grandeur from restored railcars, with options ranging from coach seating to Vista Dome cars and first-class dining.
For Greska, however, the slower pace is what sets the journey apart. “It’s an opportunity for people to reconnect,” he said. “Your cell phone won’t work here. It’s like going back in time, but you’re riding in luxury.”
The Royal Gorge Route operates year-round with up to four departures daily up and down the gorge. Most excursions last about two hours, with coach fares starting at $109. Learn more or book tickets at royalgorgeroute.com.
The story of Colorado’s railroads doesn’t end in the Royal Gorge. From classic Amtrak routes crossing the Continental Divide to historic steam locomotives chugging through the state’s mining past, these journeys continue to preserve the stories, scenery and communities that helped shape the West.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Route: Durango to Silverton.
Trip length: 5.5 to 9.5 hours.
Adult fares: Vary by class and itinerary.
Website: durangotrain.com
Originally built in the 1880s to serve Colorado’s southwestern mining industry, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad follows the Animas River through the San Juan Mountains to the historic mining town of Silverton.
Designated a National Historic Landmark and featured in numerous films, the railroad offers a signature 9.5-hour round trip including a 2.5-hour stop in Silverton. Travelers short on time can ride the train one way and return by bus, reducing the excursion to about 5.5 hours.
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Route: Antonito, Colorado, to Chama, New Mexico.
Trip length: 3 to 7.5 hours.
Adult fares: From $143.10
Website: cumbrestoltec.com
Owned jointly by Colorado and New Mexico, the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad crosses the two states’ borders 11 times, climbs 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass and winds through Toltec Gorge. Travelers can choose a full-day excursion with lunch at remote Osier Station or shorter three-hour trips departing from Chama or Cumbres Pass.
Canyon Spirit
Route: Denver–Moab or Denver–Salt Lake City.
Trip length: Two or three days.
Adult fares: Starting at about $1,750 per person
Website: canyonspirit.com
Formerly known as Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks route, Canyon Spirit combines luxury rail travel with overnight stays in Glenwood Springs and Moab. Passengers ride in glass-dome coaches through Glenwood Canyon while enjoying regionally inspired meals, beverages and storytelling from onboard hosts.
According to Lisa Langer, tourism director for Visit Glenwood Springs, the overnight stop has become one of the route’s highlights, allowing travelers to explore Glenwood Springs’ downtown restaurants, hot springs and shops, all within walking distance of the station.
California Zephyr
Route: Chicago to San Francisco, with Colorado stops in Denver, Fraser, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction.
Trip length: About 5.5 hours between Denver and Grand Junction.
Adult fares: Coach fares generally start around $70 one way when booked in advance; Amtrak vacation packages to Glenwood Springs start at $499 per person.
Website: amtrak.com/california-zephyr-train
The California Zephyr crosses the plains before passing over the Continental Divide and following the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon to Grand Junction and then proceeding on to Utah, Nevada and its destination state. Travelers looking for an in-state getaway can also book vacation packages from Denver that combine the train with hotel stays and attractions in Glenwood Springs.
Georgetown Loop Railroad
Route: Georgetown to Silver Plume.
Trip length: About 1¼ hours.
Adult fares: From $33.
Website: georgetownlooprr.com
For those looking for a shorter excursion, the Georgetown Loop Railroad is just 45 minutes west of Denver on Interstate 70.
Built in 1884 to serve the area’s booming silver mines, the narrow-gauge railroad climbs nearly 600 feet in just two miles, crossing the famous Devil’s Gate High Bridge before reaching the historic mining town of Silver Plume.
Visitors can also extend their trip with tours of the Lebanon Silver Mine or gold-panning experiences.
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