Equipment Rentals in Colorado
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Scenic Train Rides in Colorado
Scenic Train Rides in Colorado – a must-do!
There are several scenic train rides in Colorado to choose from. A scenic train ride is a wonderful way to experience Colorado’s spectacular scenery and learn about its history. Colorado’s scenic train rides result from gold and silver mining boom era in the late 1800s. The trains moved ore out of various hard-to-get-to mountainous regions and consequentially moved people in.
Narrow Gauge Railways and Scenic Routes
The routes used to facilitate the mines were narrow gauge railways. The narrow train tracks (rails) and smaller train cars could navigate the curvy mountain routes and high-trestled bridges easier than traditional wider tracks and larger rail cars.
There were no established roadways during this time, and the automobile was in its infancy. The best way into and through the mountains was by horse or stagecoach. The narrow-gauge trains opened up the Rocky Mountains to habitation and commerce.
Today, scenic train rides in Colorado are renovated versions of the original narrow gauge railways. These historic trains allow all to enjoy the fantastic mountainous terrain and the scenery they travel through and to learn about a time gone by.
Featured Scenic Train Rides in Colorado
Leadville Railroad – scenic train rides
Ride the Leadville Railroad via the historic mining town of Leadville. This scenic train travels along the old Denver, South Park & Pacific, and Colorado & Southern lines to the Continental Divide, heading north along the Arkansas Valley River Valley and rising 1,000 feet from the valley floor. You’ll see Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert, two of the state’s tallest peaks. Some genuinely spectacular scenery!
Daily trips include a 2.5-hour round trip to and from the Leadville station. Special trips are offered throughout the year, like the summer Wildflower Special Train, which consists of a guided hike through some of Colorado’s most beautiful and colorful parts. There’s also the Devil’s Tail BBQ ride, a train ride that passes through spectacular scenery and includes excellent food and drinks. The Leadville Train offers adventure packages combining the train ride with activities like zip lining or white water rafting.
Alpenglow Adventure Scenic Train Tours
Alpenglow Adventure Tours, based out of Frisco, features eight fascinating railroad excursion packages perfect for individuals and families. Tours vary by length of time 4,6,8, 12-hour adventures, and by type of train tour.
Choose your type of train ride:
- Historic Train Ride includes your choice of Georgetown Loop, the Zephyr Train Tour, or the Royal Gorge Scenic Train Tour. Find discount coupons here.
- Check out the Explore a Mine tour, a hands-on historical mine tour via the scenic train.
Alpenglow Adventure Tours simplifies scheduling your scenic train ride. They facilitate guests from the Summit County area by providing door-to-door service to your choice of scenic train adventure.
Royal Gorge Route – scenic train rides
Considered the most luxurious train in Colorado, the Royal Gorge Route is a leisurely two-hour ride through the spectacular Royal Gorge. Several classes of service are available, including special lunch and dinner trains. Along the way, riders often see big horn sheep, bald eagles, and the occasional gold miner working the Arkansas waters. Fishermen, rafters, kayakers, and other water enthusiasts exploit the river’s flow.
Georgetown Loop Railroad
Another good scenic train choice is the Georgetown Loop Railroad. This train is only 45 minutes west of Denver, right off I-70. “The Loop” connects the once-rollicking mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume; although only two miles apart, the train route climbs over 600′ in elevation, goes through a narrow, steep canyon, and crosses four spectacular high-tresseled bridges. The stunning train ride in Colorado is 1.25 hours long and provides an authentic step back into living in the mining era. This train goes all out during the holidays with a wondrous lighted forest and Santaland experience.
The Georgetown Railroad operates from May through mid-October and most days through early January. Throughout its season, it offers a variety of festive trains and event celebrations.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum
Treat yourself to some real history aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum (DSNGRR) scenic train. Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1879, and the railroad arrived in town two years later. That same year, construction began on the line to Silverton, and in 1882, the tracks were laid, and passenger and freight movement began.
The DSNGRR travels between Durango and Silverton along 45 miles of track. The route passes through the San Juan National Forest and traverses steep mountain slopes while following the stunning Cascade Canyon. The DSNGRR offers many great special tours and events.
- Brew Trains that feature a different local brewery every week
- Wine and Rails, which includes a great lunch and plenty of wine samples
- Cowboy Poetry Train, which is held every October.
- The Great Pumpkin Patch Express, available during the fall, allows kids to trick-or-treat and ride the train to the pumpkin patch to select the best jack-o’-lanterns.
- The Polar Express Train Ride takes families on an exciting trip to the North Pole.
- Skyway Tour along the San Juan Skyway
- Cascade Canyon Express
- Silverton Silverlight Express.
The Durango train offers 4 classes of service and a variety of nostalgic private cars and group seating options.
Year-Round Train Rides in Colorado
Many scenic train rides in Colorado go year-round. Learn more about winter train rides in Colorado. You don’t want to miss the special holiday trains during the holiday season. These trains are decked out with garland and holiday lights and often include special events such as a visit to Santa Land, stories, and much more.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) is a heritage narrow-gauge railroad that operates a stretch of track between Antonito, CO., and Chama, New Mexico. Two notable geographical features along the route are Cumbres Pass (10,015′) and the Toltec Gorge. Initially, this scenic train was part of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad‘s narrow gauge network and is today one of only two remaining parts of the former Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
The Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
The Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad (CC&VNGRR) is a heritage narrow gauge railroad that operates as a seasonal scenic train between Cripple Creek and the city’s outskirts to the south.
Scenic Train Rides in Colorado
Scenic train rides in Colorado are primarily located around the big gold and silver boom towns of the late 1800s. In addition to scenic train rides, these towns have lots of other types of attractions and things to do, such as the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, rafting adventures, off-road tours, horseback riding, and natural hot springs, to name a few. Your group’s interests will help determine the best scenic train ride to sign up for. Explore more of Colorado’s history by checking out historic ghost towns in addition to a scenic train ride.
Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing in Colorado
Mountains, hills, boulders and canyons make up a technical climber’s nirvana. And wouldn’t you know Colorado has all of them, in huge amounts. With big multi pitch climbs, bouldering, ice climbing and many indoor climbing gym there is something for everyone in Colorado.
Some great climbs in the state are found at the rock faces of the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado; El Dorado Canyon State Park west of Boulder; Rocky Mountain National Park outside of Estes Park; Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs; Black Canyon of the Gunnison near Montrose on the Western Slope; and Castlewood State Park south of Denver.
You can choose to go with professional guides from climbing services, and you can attend climbing schools. Quality gear is available at sporting goods and outfitters throughout the state.
Recreation Centers
Recreation Centers in Colorado
While we boast 300 days of sunshine a year, and while we’re one of the fittest states in the Union, there’s still a need for recreation centers and indoor facilities. Can’t really do free weights in the middle of a Gold Medal stream, now can you?
Some of the best municipal rec centers in Colorado are found in Lakewood in the Denver area, Breckenridge in the central mountains, Fruita on the Western Slope, Pagosa Springs in the southwest part of the state, Trinidad in the southern part of the state on I-25 and in Greeley north of Denver.
Facilities and amenities vary, but most have lap pools and open swim, some with water slides and saunas. Weight rooms, treadmills, climbing walls, stationary and recumbent bikes and indoor tracks are found at many – and most have classes for aerobics and water aerobics. Silver Sneakers applies at many; check out rates for families and seniors.
Nordic & Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-Country Skiing in Colorado 
Cross-country skiing, otherwise known as nordic skiing, in Colorado is some of the best around. If you have never tried this type of skiing, we suggest you try it. Nordic skiing is a low-impact sport that really gets the heart pumping sort of a workout. It’s a great way to see and experience the mountains and get some fresh air while skiing groomed trail at a nearby nordic center or making fresh tracks in the backcountry. Equipment rental is available at the many full-service cross-country centers scattered throughout the state. Daily trail passes and season passes are available as well as free to the public trails in many resort communities. Some outfitters even offer all-inclusive overnight trips, cross-country clinics, and races. Check out our Colorado Nordic Center guide to find a nordic center near you, or locate a cross-country ski centers on this map.
Night Skiing & Snowboarding
Night Skiing & Snowboarding in Colorado
Let there be light on the slopes! And there was.
Night skiing/snowboarding is offered at some Colorado’s ski resorts, including Keystone, Ski Granby Ranch, Steamboat Springs. Vail and Winter Park have night bike skiing, with reservations recommended.
And of course Nordic skiing under a full moon is an experience not to be missed. Check Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park for their schedule.
Allenspark
Visit Allenspark, Colorado
A scenic drive along Hwy 7 allows visitors from all over the world to marvel at Allenspark’s breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountain National Park, Longs Peak, (one of the state’s majestic fourteeners), Roosevelt National Forest and Mount Meeker.
Allenspark rests on the southeast edge of Rocky Mountain National Park at 8,500 feet. This charming town welcomes visitors to enjoy the area’s several attractions, rich history and outdoor activities.
Local restaurants and bed & breakfasts offer intimate settings for memorable meals and overnight stays. Sip on delicious coffee, take a cooking class, sample award-winning cuisine and take in a stunning Colorado sunset from a private hot tub.
Head outdoors and enjoy blue ribbon fishing in the Saint Vrain River, cross-country ski or hike on one of the area trails, or simply marvel at the breathtaking views at the historic St. Malo Chapel. One thing is for certain; Allenspark will never disapoint!
Red Feather Lakes
Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
Tucked into the mountains north and west of Fort Collins is charming and rustic Red Feather Lakes. This year-round getaway offers a bounty of activities for families, couples, and individuals.
About Red Feather Lakes
There are 12 named lakes in the area: Parvin Lake, Dowdy Lake, West Lake, Snake Lake, Letitia Lake, Red Feather Lake, Lake Ramona, Apache Lake, Shagwa Lake, Hiawatha Lake, Lake Nokomis, and Lake Erie. All the lakes drain into Lone Pine Creek.
Part of this village’s appeal is its remoteness – it is surrounded by Roosevelt National Forest, which provides a majestic buffer between visitors and the hustle and bustle of the world outside.
Activities for All Types
There is something to do outside every season, from hiking, rafting in Poudre Canyon, kayaking, fishing the lakes or in the Poudre River, biking, horseback riding, golfing or wildlife watching. In the winter, the landscape changes dramatically, and activities take a decidedly more snow-related turn – cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, sleigh rides, and ice skating are a few popular pastimes.
Many visit the Shambhala Mountain Center, a Buddhist retreat, where meditation sessions and other events are hosted. The center is open to visitors of all religions.
Red Feather Lakes History
Soaking up some Colorado mountain history is another way to spend time at Red Feather Lakes. It’s easy to imagine the early 1900’s lifestyles of the area’s first loggers and ranchers just by visiting historic homesteads still standing in the region, albeit not entirely upright.
Resort Lodging and Amenities
Although life for those folks was not always easy, guests at any of Red Feather Lakes’ lodging facilities will find themselves taking it easy. A guest ranch provides creature comforts for two-legged guests, and a B&B for both people and their horses is another option.
Other lodging options include cozy and casual settings such as cabins, camping facilities, and RV parks.
A comfortable B&B stay provides home cooking for dining, and cabins are also equipped for cooking. Mementos are at the trading post, antique store, and gallery.
Morrison
Tour Morrison, Colorado
Probably best known as home to the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison is a quaint little town with a decidedly rowdy side.
Sitting at the base of Bear Creek Canyon, Morrison has a sweet and touristy Main Street, with a great selection of places to eat and a nice selection of souvenir shops and antique stores.
Of particular note just outside Morrison is The Fort, a highly praised and restaurant that specializes in wild game. Built as a replica of Bent’s Old Fort, which is in the southeastern part of the state, The Fort draws heavily on Western décor and Southwestern cuisine. There are dessert choices aplenty, and the wine list is extensive.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find a good bike path along Bear Creek that links with a bigger system and reservoir. There’s also Dinosaur Ridge for glimpses of a prehistoric kind – exposed footprints in the sandstone thrill everyone, and a good prelude to the self-guided tour is at the Natural History Museum in town. There are more exhibits at the Morrison Heritage Museum.
Morrison is really just minutes from Denver and close to other Front Range towns and cities, making it a great launch pad for virtually every activity or diversion along the I-25 corridor or in the mountains along I-70 or U.S. 285.