These 5 U.S. Scenic Train Rides Offer The Best Fall Views This Year

With the shut of summer season, it implies that fall is beginning to make its method into the minds of most of us. To many individuals throughout the U.S., fall means cozy nights, apple cider, heat sweaters, and, after all, the autumn foliage craze that begins to take over the nation.

Foliage fever is actual, and whereas street journeys and nationwide park hikes are nice, why not expertise America’s stunning autumn views by rail this yr? Right here at Journey Off Path, we’ve seen that practice journey is having a serious second. It’s an opportunity to sit down again, chill out, and soak within the gorgeous views with out the stress of driving.

Based mostly on the scenic railways vacationers have been raving about final yr, listed here are 5 U.S. practice rides that provide among the finest fall views for 2025.

🚂 Conway Scenic Railroad, New Hampshire

The Angle: Traditional New England Magnificence

If you would like the quintessential New England fall expertise, that is it. Whereas there are various foliage trains within the area, vacationers in 2024 persistently gushed that the Mountaineer route on the Conway Scenic Railroad is likely one of the most spectacular rail journeys within the nation. Winding by way of the guts of the White Mountains and the dramatic Crawford Notch, this journey presents cliffside views, historic trestles, and a sea of vibrant purple and orange maple timber.

• The Expertise: This can be a longer, extra immersive journey, providing a eating automobile and a real feeling of golden-era practice journey.
• Greatest Time To Go: The primary two weeks of October are sometimes peak season for this a part of New Hampshire.

🏞️ Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Ohio

The Angle: A Nationwide Park by Rail

There’s a purpose this Ohio favourite stays on the listing: it’s one of many solely scenic railways that runs straight by way of a U.S. Nationwide Park. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers you a front-row seat to the deep forests and rolling hills of the park as they explode into fiery shades of purple, orange, and purple. It’s an extremely accessible technique to expertise a nationwide park’s fall magnificence.

• The Expertise: Search for themed rides just like the “Ales on Rails” beer-tasting excursions for a enjoyable, adults-only journey.
• Greatest Time To Go: Mid-to-late October is the candy spot for peak colour on this area.

⛰️ Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia

The Angle: Genuine Appalachian Journey

For a really distinctive and historic expertise, head to the mountains of West Virginia. The Cass Scenic Railroad isn’t a typical vacationer practice; it is an genuine, historic logging railroad that makes use of highly effective steam locomotives to chug its method up a mountain. The journey by way of the rugged Appalachian wilderness is spectacular, culminating in a panoramic view from Bald Knob, the third-highest level within the state.

• The Expertise: This can be a loud, highly effective, and genuine steam practice experience that seems like stepping again in time. The views from the highest are completely breathtaking.
• Greatest Time To Go: The primary three weeks of October supply the most effective likelihood for vibrant colours.

🏜️ Verde Canyon Railroad, Arizona

The Angle: Shocking Desert Magnificence

A fall foliage journey within the Arizona desert? Completely! That is our “underrated gem” decide that vacationers raved about final yr for being so sudden. The Verde Canyon Railroad follows the Verde River by way of a shocking purple rock canyon. Within the fall, the cottonwood and sycamore timber that line the river flip a superb, surprising yellow, creating an unimaginable distinction towards the purple cliffs and blue sky.

• The Expertise: E book a seat in an open-air viewing automobile to get the most effective, unobstructed photographs of the canyon and the colourful ribbon of gold beneath.
• Greatest Time To Go: Late October by way of the primary two weeks of November.

🏔️ Durango & Silverton Slender Gauge Railroad, Colorado

The Angle: The Rocky Mountain Epic

This can be a true bucket-list journey. The historic Durango & Silverton steam train winds its method by way of the distant wilderness of the San Juan Nationwide Forest, carving by way of canyons alongside the dashing Animas River. Within the fall, the route is lined with tens of millions of golden aspen timber, making a world-class spectacle of colour. It is an unforgettable, epic journey that persistently ranks as among the best practice rides on the earth.

• The Expertise: That is an all-day journey. The practice climbs almost 3,000 ft on its technique to the historic mining city of Silverton.
• Greatest Time To Go: The final two weeks of September are prime time for the “aspen gold” rush.

So this fall, commerce the freeway visitors for a window seat and let another person do the driving for a change. It’s an ideal technique to expertise the magic of the season with out the stress. Pleased Fall Travels! 🚂