All aboard! Do you have an affinity for trains and/or want to experience nostalgia for your childhood? The best way to do so is to – of course – come aboard one of Colorado’s scenic train rides. Not sure which to check out? Why not embark upon some of the best train excursions in Colorado – all of which have also been named among the best train rides in the country?

Luckily for those of us who just really, really love trains for some reason, three of the best train rides in America are located right here in Colorado!
United States Department of Transportation/Wikimedia Commons
Without a doubt, the best ride in America is the gorgeous Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Drew Jacksich/Wikimedia Commons
Noted by our friends at USAToday as, "One of the most authentic steam-operated railroads in existence, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad runs for 64 miles between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado, passing through the San Juan Mountains and the scenic Conejos Valley along the way."
In addition to the fabulous Cumbres & Toltec, there are also the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway - all of which are worthy of an adventure (or ten).
Pikes Peak Cog Railway Facebook
What are some other scenic train rides in the United States that tend to make the "best of" lists?
ThreeIfByBike/Wikimedia Commons
The Best Scenic Train Rides in America, per USAToday, also includes the Colebrookdale Railroad in Pennsylvania, Roaring Camp Railroads in California, and White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, pictured above. 
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which was founded in 1880, can be booked via their official website, or by calling (888) 286-2737.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Facebook
Riding the rails since 1879, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is open year-round and can be booked via their official website or by calling (877) 872-4607.
Milan Suvajac/Wikimedia Commons
You can check out the most up-to-date excursions and ticketing info for the Broadmoore Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway on its official website as well.
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Pikes Peak Cog Railway Facebook
Which of these three unforgettable train rides in Colorado have you enjoyed? Let us know in the comments!
Milan Suvajac/Wikimedia Commons
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Best Train Rides in Colorado

Tori Jane | September 14, 2022

Where can I go on scenic train rides in Colorado?  

Life in Colorado is beyond beautiful, and we think there are few ways more amazing to really appreciate it than an amazing scenic train ride. Luckily for those who appreciate the rails, there are many options – all of which are worth a try! There’s the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, out of Canon City, which is one of the top-rated scenic train rides in Colorado. We also love the amazing Georgetown Loop Railroad, another very highly rated Colorado train excursion sure to thrill even the youngest (or pickiest) of riders. And, of course, we have to mention the Colorado Railroad Museum, in Golden – it offers steam rides on Saturdays!  

What are some of the best train rides in Colorado? 

Amazingly, the list does not stop with the railroads as mentioned above; that list is merely the beginning! Some other amazing train rides in Colorado include the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, out of Durango, which takes guests on historic train rides through some of the most beautiful places in Colorado. In Manitou Springs, we recommend the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which offers amazingly scenic train rides in Colorado up to the top of Pikes Peak. This one is definitely a can’t-miss for locomotive enthusiasts and lovers of the natural wonders of Colorado alike. 

Where are some of the most scenic places in Colorado?  

Would it be cheating to say that all of Colorado encompasses the most scenic places in Colorado? Yes? Okay, fine. We do have some amazing favorites, no matter what kind of landscape you prefer. Lovers of mountains and forests will fall in love with Breckenridge, a breathtaking ski town so beautiful that it quite literally inspires postcards. If you’re a fan of open spaces, plains, and hills, check out Simla – it's a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it town filled with rolling emerald hills and endless skies. Estes Park is stunningly beautiful, and just about every single state park in Colorado is worth a visit at some point. Colorado is beautiful, and you truly cannot go wrong with a visit to just about anywhere. 

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