15 Scenic Train Rides Across the U.S. for Stunning Fall Foliage Views



  • On Amtrak’s famous California Zephyr route, the stretch between Sacramento and Reno showcases the stunning foliage of the Sierra Nevada.
  • In West Virginia, the Greenbrier Express runs between two charming small towns, passing through part of the Monongahela National Forest.
  • The Amtrak Vermonter route gives passengers the opportunity to appreciate autumn from both an urban and rural perspective.

As temperatures begin to drop, the colors of the leaves heat up, and one of the best ways to take in the vibrant hues blanketing the country is on a fall foliage train ride. Whether you embark on an epic Amtrak cross-country journey or a sightseeing excursion on a historic steam locomotive, there are plenty of railways that chug up mountains and wind through shade-shifting forests for dazzling views.

From coast to coast, these are 15 of the best U.S. train journeys for fall foliage viewing, allowing you to simply sit back and savor the vistas.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway

Courtesy of Mount Washington Cog Railway


The Mount Washington Cog Railway gives you a unique perspective of fall’s beauty as you ride the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world to the summit of Mount Washington. To get the best views on this ride up the highest peak in the Northeast, time your trip for late September or early October, when New Hampshire’s famous array of foliage is at its best.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

One of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s vintage trains runs along the river in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, amid fall foliage.

Laser1987 / Getty Images


Just half an hour outside of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad takes riders through the stunning scenery of Ohio’s only national park. The buckeyes, oaks, and maples of Cuyahoga Valley National Park are at their most vibrant in the fall, and this railroad (in operation since 1880) offers one of the best ways to see them. Book a ticket in one of the line’s dome cars for windows that stretch from floor to ceiling—perfect for uninterrupted foliage viewing.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Courtesy of History Colorado


Drive 45 minutes west of Denver to travel back in time to the late 1800s on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Originally built to connect the mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume, the route passes through a steep, narrow, and scenic canyon, spanning the few miles between the two towns. Corkscrewing up more than 600 feet and crossing four separate bridges, it’s an 1880s marvel of engineering preserved for guests to enjoy. The train runs in both directions, with the ride taking around an hour and 15 minutes. In the fall, this railway offers themed rides for catching the changing colors or celebrating Halloween.

Amtrak Missouri River Runner

Courtesy of Amtrak


This Midwest route between St. Louis and Kansas City gives you sweeping views of bucolic Missouri and its namesake river. The train stops at a number of charming destinations along the way, each offering historical sites and a host of fascinating attractions. Hop off at the quaint riverside city of Hermann to catch the trolley that includes stops at local wineries, distilleries, and restaurants. Check out Stone Hill Winerywhich dates back to 1847, to sample award-winning wines, or explore Hermann Farma 200-acre property with tours showcasing the regal (and relatively rare) Shire horses bred there.

Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks

Courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer


On its Rockies to the Red Rocks route, Canadian luxury train operator Rocky Mountaineer takes passengers through the mountains and deserts between Denver and Moab, Utah. The trains only travel during the day, so you’ll never miss a moment of the ever-changing landscapes through their enormous, perfect-for-leaf-peeping windows. The route runs from April to early November, with mid-September to early October being peak foliage season. Highlights of this itinerary—which features an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado—include crossing the Continental Divide and passing through environments that range from lush mountain valleys to vast canyons.

Amtrak California Zephyr

Joe Raedle / Getty Images


There’s a reason Amtrak’s California Zephyr route is one of the most popular train lines in the U.S. This cross-country trip showcases thousands of miles of scenery, but riders don’t need to embark on the entire 51-hour journey between Chicago and San Francisco to get the best views. The five-hour stretch between Sacramento and Reno treats travelers to colorful aspens, maples, and oaks in the high altitudes of the Sierra Nevada and Tahoe National Forest.

The Greenbrier Express

Walter Scriptunas II/Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad


The Greenbrier Express gives you a taste of unspoiled Appalachian nature. Covering a restored 15-mile portion of a 1902 railway, this historic train is bookended by charming West Virginia towns. Departing from Cass, the route follows the Greenbrier River and passes through part of the Monongahela National Forest, where maples, red spruce, and yellow birch create bright autumnal hues. The round-trip journey takes five and a half hours, including a stop in Durbin to shop, stretch your legs, and grab a coffee from Simply Sweet Cafe next to the station.

Amtrak Vermonter

Fred Guenther / 500px / Getty Images


Amtrak’s Vermonter offers daily service between Washington, D.C., and St. Albans in northern Vermont, traveling through major metropolitan areas like New York City as well as country towns in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. This route gives travelers the opportunity to appreciate autumn from both an urban and rural perspective. Hop off in cities like Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware; explore smaller communities like Northampton, Massachusetts; or, in Vermont, get off at the Waterbury stop near Stowe for fabulous fall foliage and seasonal activities.

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Courtesy of The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway


The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Colorado Springs is the world’s highest and longest cog railroad. Since 1891, this train has carried travelers to the summit of Pikes Peak, while highlighting the changing leaves and gorgeous scenery all around. The three-hour round-trip ride culminates at the 14,115-foot-high peak of “America’s Mountain.” At the top, be sure to grab one of the famously fresh doughnuts at Pikes Peak Summit House and admire the panoramic views.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Courtesy of Fannin County Chamber of Commerce


Departing from Blue Ridge, Georgiathe Blue Ridge Scenic Railway runs for 26 miles round-trip through woodland and along the Toccoa River to the Tennessee state line. You can choose between traditional closed cars with large picture windows or open-air carriages, the latter of which lets you enjoy the crisp mountain air while admiring the autumn colors. The trip takes an hour to get to the border towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. Book the “layover” option if you want to hop off to explore the area, or the express version to stay on the train for a quick return.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Courtesy of New Mexico TRUE


The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is nothing short of breathtaking as it traverses the diverse terrain of Colorado and New Mexico, winding through lush forests and across high plains. This rail line is also one of the country’s highest, topping out at 10,015 feet on Cumbres Pass. The train snakes 64 miles from Antonito, Colorado, to Chama, New Mexico, and passengers can opt to ride the full length or do a “half limited” voyage, which travels out and back from either terminus to the midpoint station in Osier, Colorado. With the leaves transforming the landscape into a show of spectacular reds, golds, and oranges, this ride is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country come autumn.

Amtrak Cascades

James MacDonald / Bloomberg via Getty Images


Amtrak’s Cascades route weaves through some of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful landscapes—made even more beautiful with the changing forest foliage set against snowy peaks and coastal views. If you ride the Cascades line to its northern endpoint in Vancouveryou can find a variety of fun fall activities. Go for a leaf-peeping walk through Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen Botanical Gardenor take the gondola up Grouse Mountain to get a bird’s-eye view of the seasonal splendor.

Virginia & Truckee Railroad

Courtesy of Visit Carson City


On the Virginia & Truckee Railroad near Carson City, Nevada, railway enthusiasts can get a taste of the past aboard a storied steam train that travels along a 19th-century track. In the fall, passengers can enjoy views of vibrant foliage, including along the Carson River, which is lined with cottonwood trees that turn a bright shade of gold. There are even wild horses roaming the area—if you’re lucky, you might spot them from your railcar.

Amtrak Empire Builder

Dan Mackey/Courtesy of Amtrak


Hop on Amtrak’s Empire Builder route to experience the wilderness of the American West from the comfort of a modern railcar. Departing from Chicago, riders cross the mighty Mississippi near the Twin Cities, traverse the North Dakota plains, and pass through Montana’s Big Sky Country by way of Glacier National Park. In Spokane, the route splits, allowing you to pick between heading north to Seattle or south to Portland.

Conway Scenic Railroad

Courtesy of Conway Scenic Railroad


When it comes to fall train trips in New Hampshire, the choice is typically between the Mount Washington Cog Railway and Conway Scenic Railroadthe latter traversing the valley and beautiful Crawford Notch rather than climbing to the peak of Mount Washington. The land rises on both sides of this fabled pass, so you’re treated to foliage views stacked up to the sky wherever you’re seated. The 50- to 60-mile Mountaineer excursion features 1950s passenger cars and three classes, the most luxurious offering upper dome seating for a better vantage point. The ride can take anywhere from four to four and a half hours.



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