DENVER (KDVR) — Trains have been transporting people and goods for centuries, and while they’re not as popular as they once were, some train trips offer a unique way to experience the outdoors.
USA Today conducted a survey with a panel of experts and readers to find the most scenic train trips in the country.
It’s well-known that Colorado has some of the most beautiful scenery, but train travel offers a different experience for tourists and locals alike. Three of Colorado’s scenic trains were ranked in the top 10 in the U.S., with one rated the best.
#10: Georgetown Loop Railroad – Georgetown
The Georgetown Loop was completed in 1884. Today, three “Iron Horses” are preserved and maintained to transport passengers from Georgetown to Silver Plume.
USA Today reported that the 75-minute round-trip train ride gives passengers the chance to ride in freight cars and take in the high country scenery, passing by former gold and silver mines and offering views of the Rocky Mountains.
The Georgetown Loop Railway is currently open for the summer season.
No. 8: Broadmoor, Manitou and Pikes Peak Railroad – Manitou Springs
The Broadmoor, Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway is the world’s highest and longest mountain railway, transporting passengers to the summit of Pikes Peak Mountain at an elevation of 14,115 feet.
During the nine-mile trip, passengers will not only reach the summit by reaching the 14,000-foot peak, but the train will also pass through Deer Park and run along Luxton Creek.
The railroad recently underwent renovations to modernize its tracks, trains, depots and the Pikes Peak Visitor Center.
Tickets are on sale now.
#1: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – Durango
Number one on the list of America’s most scenic train journeys is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
This train has been named the best in the country because it is an 1880s era train that takes you on a nine-hour round trip through some of Colorado’s most beautiful natural scenery, including wildlife, waterfalls, and mountains.
If the nine-hour journey seems daunting, the railroad offers shorter tours, such as the five-hour Cascade Canyon Express Trip.
The train operates in all seasons, allowing passengers to experience the San Juan National Forest year-round.
Here’s a complete list of the most scenic train journeys in the United States, according to USA Today:
- Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – Durango, Colorado
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad – Chama, New Mexico
- East Broad Top Railroad – Rock Hill Furnace, Pennsylvania
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad – Bryson City, North Carolina
- Skunk Train – Fort Bragg, California
- Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad – Blue Ridge, Georgia
- Western Maryland Scenic Railroad – Cumberland, Maryland
- Broadmoor, Manitou and Pikes Peak Railroad – Manitou Springs, Colorado
- Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad – Fish Camp, California
- Georgetown Loop Railroad – Georgetown, Colorado
If you want to explore Colorado’s outdoors like never before and take a trip that will transport you back in time, consider taking one of these scenic train trips.
