Most people plan their Colorado scenic train rides around what’s happening in Aspen or Steamboat. Then they get down here in late September, and the hillsides are still green.
At Steam Train Hotel, we’ve watched enough visitors miss the window by a couple of weeks to know when it actually turns. To avoid that happening to you, we’re telling you what you need to know.
Why is fall the best time for scenic train rides in Colorado?
Because Antonito sits at the southern edge of the state, and cooler nights hit the northern mountains first, which means that by the time crowds have already come and gone from Aspen, things are just starting to get interesting here.
Altitude does the rest. Higher ground turns first, so the color starts up near Cumbres Pass at 10,015 feet and works its way down toward the valley floor at 7,888.
That staggering is why the season lasts here instead of peaking and dropping in a weekend. Any given week in October, something is gold somewhere between the two, and then? It’s over.
Groves on this stretch hold for maybe ten days once they’ve turned, and one hard wind takes them, so if you’re planning a Colorado train vacation, you want to time it just right.
What makes the Cumbres & Toltec worth the trip?
You can drive to a lot of aspen in this state. You cannot drive to this.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a National Historic Landmark that takes you through 64 miles of colorful scenery on tracks laid in 1880. It’s the historic train ride in Colorado, and if you like mountain train tours, you just can’t skip it.
For the train nerds, the fact that the Cumbres & Toltecs goes through the highest point of any steam railroad in the country is a huge sell, not to mention the granite tunnels you’ll go through along the way.
For those who are just looking for vacations in Colorado, railroad or not, good news: the views are amazing, and elk and deer are common along the route. We’ve even seen bald eagles and the occasional bear from the open-air gondola.
Better yet? The depot is two minutes from our front door, so if you’re planning a weekend train getaway, you already know where to stay.
Which Cumbres & Toltec ride should you book?
The longest one is the full day. Eight hours, all 64 miles to Chama. You’ll cross the Colorado–New Mexico border 11 times, drop into Toltec Gorge, and eat lunch at Osier Station before a motorcoach brings you back.
If you’re here for the full Colorado heritage railroad experience, do it this way.
Short on time? Take the Antonito Limited. Six hours, half the commitment, same climb and same groves. You still get the hot lunch at Osier, then you reboard and ride the track home instead of the highway.
If you don’t want this to turn into a full-on Colorado train getaway, this is your best option.
If you want to take advantage of the day but still see as much as possible from this Colorado scenic railroad, the one-way to Chama sits in the middle.
It’s about six and a half hours and you see all the sights without worrying about spending the entire day in the train or about seeing too little.
The return isn’t included, though, so you want to keep that in mind. You don’t want your Colorado rail adventure to end up with you hitchhiking back to the hotel. (Or do you? We’re not judging.)
Why book Steam Train Hotel for your Colorado train trip?
Because you’ll want to be close! The scenic train rides in Colorado are famous for starting early, and the depot is two minutes from our hotel.
We’ve been on Main Street since 1911, and we know the best way to make your Colorado train getaway one you’ll never forget. Ready to stay at Steam Train Hotel? Book your room online or call us at 1-719-298-8908.
We’ll help you get set up, and we’ll tell you straight whether the color will be there on your dates.
FAQ's
What should I wear on a Colorado mountain train ride?
Layers! It’s a 2,000-foot climb from town to Cumbres Pass and the temperature drops the whole way. In the open-air gondola, add sunglasses and a hat.
Is one night enough to enjoy the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway in Colorado?
Technically yes, but two is better. The full-day ride eats your entire day, and most people want to actually check out the area, so book a room with us if you also want to visit the Great Sand Dunes or drive FR 250 along the Conejos River for the best fall color in the area.
Can I do this trip in winter?
Fall train rides in Colorado get all the attention for a good reason, the season ends in late October and the tracks close for a few months. You can still board the Santa’s Holiday Express, though, which runs on select weekends in November and December.
How early should I book?
Weeks out, and months if you want the first two weeks of October. That’s the window everyone wants and the rooms go first. Book early and you get the date and the car you actually want instead of whatever’s left.
Is the open-air gondola worth it?
Of course it is. There’s nothing between you and the view, and isn’t that the whole point of a scenic Colorado mountain ride? Just make sure to dress for the weather.
