Colorado Train Rides 2026: Royal Gorge, Pikes Peak & Tours

Colorado train tours

Choose your train ride

In the centre, the Royal Gorge Route: 110 minutes through the gorge from Cañon City. On the left, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway with a private guide from Denver; on the right, a private railway day with the Georgetown Loop.

Private ★ 4.910 hoursFree cancellation

Pikes Peak Cog Railway & Garden of the Gods

Cog railway ticketsPrivate guideUp to 6 people

A private day from Denver: the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the 14,115 ft summit, Manitou Springs and the Garden of the Gods, with your own guide and a luxury Suburban.

What's included

Private round-trip transport in a luxury Suburban
Private guide
Pikes Peak Cog Railway tickets
Snacks, drinks and a daypack with blankets for the train
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Full tour details

From$799per group Reserve

Most booked ★ 4.6110 minutesFree cancellation

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

Open-air carRoyal GorgeDining on board

The train ride through the Royal Gorge from Cañon City: about 110 minutes on the rails along the Arkansas River, with the open-air car open to every passenger. Meals and drinks are extra.

What's included

Scenic train ride through the Royal Gorge
Access to the open-air car for the whole journey
The Happy Endings Caboose Cafe and Santa Fe Depot boutique before and after
Meals and drinks are extra
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Full tour details

From$148per person Reserve

Railway history New8 hoursFree cancellation

Georgetown Loop Railroad and Railroad Museum Day

Georgetown LoopRailroad museumUp to 4 people

A private railway day from Denver Union Station: the Colorado Railroad Museum, lunch and a walk in Georgetown, then the Georgetown Loop narrow-gauge train, back through Idaho Springs.

What's included

Denver Union Station and Red Rocks Park
Colorado Railroad Museum, with a train ride round the grounds mid-May to October
Georgetown Loop Railroad ride
Tour of Georgetown and a drive through Idaho Springs
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Full tour details

From$1,175per group Reserve

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Prices shown in USD. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

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Which tour suits which traveler

Three things sort most of it: whether you want a train ride or a mountain day, where you are starting from, and whether you would rather share a coach or have a guide to yourself.

Tour	Starts at	On the rails	Best for	Length	From	Book
Royal Gorge Route Railroad	Santa Fe Depot, Cañon City	The whole ride: 110 minutes through the Royal Gorge	A first scenic train ride, with the gorge at its deepest	110 minutes	$148	Book
Pikes Peak Cog Railway & Garden of the Gods	Denver pickup, private Suburban	The cog railway up Pikes Peak and back	The Pikes Peak summit by rail, without driving	10 hours	$799	Book
Georgetown Loop Railroad and Railroad Museum Day	Denver Union Station, private car	The Georgetown Loop, plus a museum train mid-May to October	Railway history and a narrow-gauge ride in one day	8 hours	$1,175	Book
Red Rocks, Evergreen and Echo Lake Tour	1701 Wynkoop St, Denver	No train: Red Rocks and the foothills by van	The foothills from Denver in a morning or afternoon	5 hours	$89	Book
Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Tour + Lunch	Colorado Convention Center, Denver	No train: up Pikes Peak by the highway	The Pikes Peak summit by bus, with lunch, from Denver	8.5 hours	$169	Book
Rocky Mountain National Park Day Trip	Colorado Convention Center, Denver	No train: a day in the national park	Entry, a guide and a picnic lunch in the park	8 hours	$169	Book
Breckenridge and Rocky Mountains Tour	1701 Wynkoop St, Denver	No train: Breckenridge and the high passes	A ski town and the high country in one day	8 hours	$138	Book
Rocky Mountain Mining Towns and Gold Mine Tour	Union Station, Denver	No train: the old mining towns and a gold mine	Mining-town history, a real gold mine and panning	5.5 hours	$99	Book

Every tour here cancels free up to 24 hours before. The Pikes Peak bus tour goes up by the highway, not by the cog railway. The two private tours are priced per group.

The railways

Colorado by rail.

Colorado's mountain lines were built for silver and gold in the 1870s and 1880s, and the best of them now carry visitors. The Durango & Silverton has run beside the Animas River since 1882, the Georgetown Loop was finished in 1884, and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway has climbed the mountain since 1891.

The Royal Gorge Route runs at the bottom of a gorge cut by the Arkansas River, with a standard-gauge train, dome cars and an open-air car. Across the state line, the Cumbres & Toltec crosses Cumbres Pass at 10,015 feet on its way into New Mexico. And since 2026 the luxury train from Denver to Moab, once the Rocky Mountaineer's US route, runs as Canyon Spirit.

14,115

Feet: the summit of Pikes Peak, the top of the world's highest cog railroad.

Royal Gorge RoutePikes Peak CogDurango & SilvertonGeorgetown LoopCumbres & ToltecCanyon Spirit

A red cog-railway train climbing a steep track above the treeline on a high mountain — Above the treeline on the way to the summit.

01

1h 50

A daytime Royal Gorge Route ride, 24 miles there and back.

02

3 hours

The Pikes Peak Cog round trip, with about 40 minutes at the top.

03

45.4 miles

Durango to Silverton each way, by steam in summer.

04

2 days

Canyon Spirit from Denver to Moab, with a hotel night in Glenwood Springs.

Your ride

The Royal Gorge Route, step by step

How a daytime ride on the Royal Gorge Route runs, from the depot in Cañon City to the end of the line and back.

01

Santa Fe Depot

Park free across the tracks from the depot in Cañon City and check in before boarding.

45 minutes before

02

Into the gorge

The train follows the Arkansas River between granite walls over 1,000 feet high.

Westbound

03

The open-air car

Every ticket includes the open-air car; stand there as long as you like.

All the way

04

Parkdale and back

The train runs push-pull, so it simply reverses for the ride back to the depot.

About 1h 50 in all

A narrow-gauge steam train crossing a tall curved steel trestle above a creek in a forested mountain valley

Over the high bridge

The Garden of the Gods

Rows of empty seats under the curved glass panels of a dome car, canyon walls above

Under the glass dome

A mountain lake below Pikes Peak, pine forest on the far shore

Pikes Peak from the west

A railway track running through a grove of white-trunked aspens with gold leaves

Aspen gold in late September

Bighorn sheep standing among pink granite rocks on a high mountain slope

Bighorn sheep up high

The windswept summit plateau of a 14,000 ft peak, with ranges layered to the horizon

Above the treeline

The mountain town of Ouray in its valley, with high cliffs and peaks all around

The San Juan Mountains

Alpenglow on high snowy peaks at dusk, with the moon rising above

Evening in the high country

Plan your trip

Plan your train day

A first ride, on a budget, short on time, or something special: one tab each.

The easy first ride: the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, about 110 minutes on the rails.
The big climb: the Pikes Peak Cog Railway with a private guide from Denver.
Read the best train rides in Colorado before you choose.
Pack a warm layer: the Pikes Peak summit can be 30 to 40 degrees colder than the depot.

Book ahead: the Cog Railway sells online tickets from $67 and walk-up tickets from $86.
Ski train: the Winter Park Express from Denver Union Station has fares from $19 for 2026-27.
Seniors: Amtrak gives travelers aged 65 and over 10% off most rail fares.
From $89: Red Rocks and Echo Lake in 5 hours, if you have half a day in Denver.

About 1h 15: the Georgetown Loop in the main season, 45 miles west of Denver.
About 1h 50: the Royal Gorge Route by day.
About 3 hours: the Pikes Peak Cog round trip, summit time included.
The full Durango to Silverton round trip takes about 9.25 hours: plan a whole day.

Under glass: the Royal Gorge Route's Vista Dome, the railroad's top-rated class.
Lunch on board: the First Class lunch and dinner trains, three courses with sparkling wine.
In the cab: Ride with the Engineer, from $299 on the Royal Gorge Route.
Two days to Moab: Canyon Spirit, the former Rocky Mountaineer route.

Royal GorgeFrom $148110 minutes through the gorge, open-air car included.

Pikes Peak CogFrom $799Per group, private guide and cog tickets.

Georgetown LoopFrom $1,175Per group, with the railroad museum.

Red RocksFrom $89Half a day in the foothills, no train.

National parkFrom $169A guided day with a picnic lunch, no train.

CancellationFreeUp to 24 hours before, every tour.

Getting there

The depot in Cañon City

The Santa Fe Depot, 401 Water St

401 Water St, Cañon City, Colorado.

The Royal Gorge Route leaves from the Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City, within walking distance of downtown, and parking across the tracks from the depot is free. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway leaves from 515 Ruxton Ave in Manitou Springs, and the Georgetown Loop from the Devil's Gate Depot in Georgetown, off I-70.

Free parking across the tracks from the depot
Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure, per the listing
Buying at the depot on the day costs $10 more per ticket

Royal Gorge Route guide

Around your ride

Everything else worth knowing

When to go, what riders wish they had known, what is nearby and the fine print.

Fall color: the aspens turn from late September to mid-October.
Year-round: the Royal Gorge Route and the Pikes Peak Cog both run all year.
Winter in Durango: trains run to Cascade Canyon from 20 November 2026.
April to November: the Canyon Spirit season from Denver to Moab.

Every Royal Gorge Route ticket includes the open-air car, whatever class you book.
Drink plenty of water before the Pikes Peak Cog: the summit is at 14,115 feet.
The Cog train does not turn round: face forward going up and you ride backward going down.
Book the Cog online ahead: without a ticket you will not get parking at the depot.

Royal Gorge Bridge: 956 feet above the river, in a separate park with its own tickets.
Garden of the Gods: red rock spires near Manitou Springs, on the Cog tour's day.
Manitou Springs: the town at the foot of the Cog Railway.
Mesa Verde: a full day from Durango, home of the Durango & Silverton.

Royal Gorge Route meals and drinks are extra, except in First Class.
The Vista Dome is up 14 steps and is not wheelchair accessible.
There are no restrooms on the Cog trains; use the depot or the summit.
Fares on the railroads' own sites are from-prices and move with the season.

Guest reviews

What travelers say

4.6 ★★★★★
678 reviews · the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, our top pick
Quotes below come from several tours

★★★★★
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the train ride. So much beautiful scenery to see. We enjoyed our meal and had a great lady server who also answered any of our questions.
Susan · Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Oct 2026

★★★★★
We thoroughly enjoyed our day visiting Garden of Gods, downtown Manitou Springs, and the [...] trip to the top of Pike’s Peak. Patrick is a pleasant and knowledgeable guide and he helped make our day very special.
Rodger · Pikes Peak Cog Railway private tour, Jul 2026

★★★★★
It was an excellent train ride through the gorge. The train car was beautiful with all the wood interior and very comfortable seats. Wish it would have lasted longer.
LaNell · Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Sep 2026

★★★★★
Excellent trip. Robert was a fine guide, and not having to put up with the hassle of planning entry to the park was priceless. The picnic lunch at Sprague Lake was a real highlight.
Bill · Rocky Mountain National Park day trip, Sep 2026

★★★★★
Beautiful scenery, gorgeous day for open car ride. Food and drinks were great
Dennis · Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Sep 2026

★★★★★
Wonderful day out seeing some memorable sites. Our guide Eric was excellent, very informative, engaging and had our best interests at heart. Highly recommend this trip for the [...] scenery at Garden of the God’s and Pikes Peak
Ian · Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods tour, May 2026

Another day

A day at Mesa Verde

Riding the Durango & Silverton? Give another day to Mesa Verde National Park and a ranger-guided visit into Cliff Palace.

Mesa Verde and Cliff Palace Day Tour

★ 5.0 · 8 hours · 50 Animas View Dr, Durango

A full day from Durango, the Durango & Silverton's home town, to Mesa Verde National Park: park entry, a ranger-guided tour into Cliff Palace and lunch, with a guide-driver. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Cliff PalaceLunchPark entry

From$206per personReserve

The guide

Colorado by rail, explained

Six mountain railways, one luxury train and a ski train. Here is how they differ, and which tour puts you on board.

Which train to ride

For a first ride, the Royal Gorge Route is the easy one: about 110 minutes from Cañon City, year-round, with an open-air car on every train. For height, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway climbs about 9 miles from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit. For a whole day of steam, the Durango & Silverton runs 45.4 miles each way beside the Animas River, about 9.25 hours there and back. More in the best train rides in Colorado.

Guests like the gorge. One wrote that "the train car was beautiful with all the wood interior"; the Royal Gorge Route Railroad holds 4.6 out of 5 from 678 reviews.

A diesel-hauled passenger train at the bottom of a deep granite gorge beside a rushing river — The bottom of the Royal Gorge, beside the Arkansas River.

The Royal Gorge Route

The train leaves the Santa Fe Depot and runs 12 miles up the gorge to Parkdale and back, about 24 miles in all. Classes run from Coach to Deluxe, the Vista Dome and First Class, and every ticket includes the open-air car. Meals and drinks are extra outside First Class. More in the Royal Gorge Route guide.

No car? The private Pikes Peak tour collects you in Denver and includes the cog railway tickets.

Pikes Peak by cog railway

The Cog Railway has climbed Pikes Peak since 1891 and reopened in 2021 after a full rebuild. A round trip takes about three hours, with about 40 minutes at the top, where the Summit Visitor Center opened in 2021. Drink water and take a warm layer: the railway warns that the altitude can make anyone lightheaded. More in the Pikes Peak Cog Railway guide.

A red cog-railway train climbing a steep track through pine forest and granite boulders — The climb through the pines toward the summit.

The Rocky Mountaineer is now Canyon Spirit

The luxury train from Denver to Moab, once the Rocky Mountaineer's "Rockies to the Red Rocks", runs as Canyon Spirit from the 2026 season, from the same company. It travels by daylight only, with a hotel night in Glenwood Springs and an optional third day on to Salt Lake City; meals, drinks and the onboard hosts' tips are included. More in the Rocky Mountaineer in Colorado, and the lower-cost ways to see the same canyons in our alternatives guide.

A modern glass-domed passenger train beside a wide river in a red-rock desert canyon — Red-rock canyon country on the way to Moab.

Compare the tours

FAQ

Questions before you book

Straight answers to what people ask most about Colorado's trains and the tours.

What is the most scenic train ride in Colorado?

It depends on what you want from the day. In the USA Today 10Best readers' vote for 2026, the Cumbres & Toltec came first and the Durango & Silverton second, with the Pikes Peak Cog Railway fifth. For a shorter ride, the Royal Gorge Route runs through a granite gorge in about 1 hour 50 minutes. More in the best train rides in Colorado.

Is there a Rocky Mountaineer train in Colorado?

Not under that name any more. From the 2026 season the Denver to Moab route, once the Rocky Mountaineer's "Rockies to the Red Rocks", runs as Canyon Spirit, from the same company. The Rocky Mountaineer name now covers its routes in Western Canada. More in the Rocky Mountaineer in Colorado.

How much does the Rocky Mountaineer (Canyon Spirit) cost from Denver?

Canyon Spirit launched its three-day Denver to Salt Lake City journey from $2,123 per person plus tax, hotels included. Its own packages page lists no amounts, so check the price for your date. Until 20 November 2026 there is $250 per person off eligible 2026 packages; rail-only journeys are excluded.

Do you sleep overnight on the train?

No. Canyon Spirit travels by daylight only and has no sleeper cars. You spend the night in a hotel in Glenwood Springs, and in Moab as well on the three-day journey, and your luggage is taken to the hotel for you.

Is there a cheaper alternative to the Rocky Mountaineer?

Yes. Amtrak's California Zephyr runs daily through Denver, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction on much of the same line, with a Sightseer Lounge looking out on Gore, Byers and Glenwood Canyons. For a single day on the rails, the Royal Gorge Route gives you about 110 minutes in the canyon with an open-air car. More in the cheaper alternatives.

Is GoldLeaf offered on the Colorado route?

No. GoldLeaf was never sold on the Rockies to the Red Rocks route. Canyon Spirit has two service levels: Signature, and a Premier upgrade that adds the lounge car with its own host and bar.

Do you tip on Canyon Spirit?

Not on board: the onboard hosts' gratuities are included in the price. Canyon Spirit lists them at $48 (Signature) or $62 (Premier) on the two-day trip. Driver guides, tour escorts and hotel porters are not included.

Do seniors get a discount on Colorado trains?

Canyon Spirit's own pages mention no senior discount, only promotions. Amtrak gives travelers aged 65 and over 10% off most rail fares on the California Zephyr and its other trains, though not on sleeping accommodation charges.

Where is the train that goes through the mountains in Colorado?

There are several. The Durango & Silverton runs 45.4 miles into the San Juan Mountains, the Royal Gorge Route leaves Cañon City, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway leaves Manitou Springs and the Georgetown Loop runs 45 miles west of Denver. Amtrak's California Zephyr crosses the Continental Divide through the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel.

What is the best time of year for a Colorado train ride?

Late September to mid-October for the aspens, when whole hillsides turn gold. The Royal Gorge Route and the Pikes Peak Cog run year-round, Canyon Spirit runs from April to November, and in winter the Durango train runs to Cascade Canyon.

How long is the Royal Gorge train ride?

About 1 hour 50 minutes on the daytime departures, and about 2.5 hours in the evening. The train runs 12 miles up the gorge to Parkdale and back. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad on GetYourGuide holds 4.6 out of 5 from 678 reviews.

How long does the Pikes Peak Cog Railway take?

About three hours round trip from Manitou Springs, with about 40 minutes at the 14,115-foot summit. It runs year-round, though snow or wind can stop a train short of the top. More in the Pikes Peak Cog Railway guide.

Colorado Train Rides

Choose your train ride

Pikes Peak Cog Railway & Garden of the Gods

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

Georgetown Loop Railroad and Railroad Museum Day

More mountain days from Denver

Red Rocks, Evergreen and Echo Lake Tour

Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Tour + Lunch

Rocky Mountain National Park Day Trip

Breckenridge and Rocky Mountains Tour

Rocky Mountain Mining Towns and Gold Mine Tour

Check dates and book instantly

Which tour suits which traveler

Colorado by rail.

1h 50

3 hours

45.4 miles

2 days

The Royal Gorge Route, step by step

Santa Fe Depot

Into the gorge

The open-air car

Parkdale and back

Plan your train day

The depot in Cañon City

The Santa Fe Depot, 401 Water St

Everything else worth knowing

The aspens turn gold.

What travelers say

A day at Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde and Cliff Palace Day Tour

Colorado by rail, explained

Which train to ride

The Royal Gorge Route

Pikes Peak by cog railway

The Rocky Mountaineer is now Canyon Spirit

Plan it properly

Rail notes

Questions before you book

Your seat is waiting.