Festive Winter Holiday Train Rides in Colorado
Holiday Train Ride Specials capture amazing memories.
These Colorado Holiday train rides turn up the charm. Colorado train tracks weave deep into forests, skirt along mountainsides, and pass through some of the state’s most scenic and stunning landscapes.
Holiday Train Rides in Colorado 
Santa Express Train- Royal Gorge
Near Canon City, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad ups the ante on its usual two-hour train ride through the spectacular naturally carved Royal Gorge. Choose from a menu of trips, including the Santa Express Train, where kiddos climb aboard wearing their PJs and chug away to meet Mr. Claus at the magical North Pole. Prepare to be dazzled by more than 50,000 lights on the return trip from the North Pole. The winter wonderland adventure follows the classic book and invites guests to sing along to holiday music and enjoy dinner, followed by cookies and hot cocoa. Pulling into the North Pole, Santa and his elves board the train and hand out a special holiday bell to each child.
Holiday Express Train – Leadville
The Leadville Train, or the Colorado Southern Railroad, celebrates with the Holiday Express train. It is fun for the family and riders of all ages. Climb aboard the holiday-decorated train with lights and Garlin. Enjoy seating in one of their three heated lounge cars. Festive Fir and Spruce Table seating is also available.
Georgetown Loop’s Santa’s Lighted Forest
The Georgetown Loop Railroad passes through the picturesque mountain canyon between Georgetown and Silver Plume along I-70. During the holiday season, guests can choose between two special rides: Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure and the evening Holiday Train Lights, which tours through Santa’s Lighted Forest (even more lights this year!). Santa will be joining every departure until Christmas.
The Lighted Forest experience features synchronized holiday music and a light show in the trees above Georgetown. Visit Santa at the train depot, indulge in cookies and hot cocoa, and then climb aboard for your nighttime journey. For a daytime treat, Santa’s North Pole Adventure puts guests on the train with St. Nick for a spirited trip through the narrow canyon. Guests enjoy candy canes and cookies on both excursions and depart with a complimentary jingle bell ornament.
The Polar Express – Durango
Another popular holiday train option is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s rendition of The Polar Express. This thrilling annual holiday train ride is based on Chris Van Allsburg’s award-winning book about a child’s Christmas Eve journey. The beloved story is narrated as the train travels from Durango to Silverton to pick up Santa at the North Pole!
Families enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while the conductor recites a reading from the Polar Express book. After arriving at the North Pole, you will be thrilled by an incredible light show set to holiday music. On the return trip, Santa will visit each coach and hand out the first gifts of the season. Train buffs appreciate this historic treasure’s vintage steam locomotives and 1800s throwback feel.
By Lisa Blake
