National Parks And Rocky Mountain Views Await On This Scenic Long-Distance Train Route

The romance of a train ride is hard to beat. While you might be able to see a bit of scenery from above in a plane, it depends on whether you have a window seat and know what you're looking at below. On a train, you can watch the world go by, relaxing as you take in the beauty of the country. The privately owned Canyon Spirit takes passengers on a two- or three-day journey through Utah and Colorado, with views of the Rocky Mountains, sandstone backdrops, and the Colorado River. The route also takes you to Moab, the gateway to both Canyonlands National Park, a stunning place that rivals the Grand Canyon for its views, and Arches National Park, with its spectacular scenery. The train slows down as you pass by particularly pretty vistas, and you get to stay overnight in hotels rather than sleeping on the train, giving you the opportunity to explore the areas you stop in. 

Westbound, the two-day journey starts in Denver, Colorado, stays overnight in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and ends in Moab, Utah. The three-day trip extends the route to Salt Lake City, Utah, adding an overnight stay in Moab. There are several packages to choose from, including options that add hotel nights at the start and finish of the trip, as well as packages with national park tours and other excursions. All the while, you can relax, knowing you don't have to drive or squirm in a tiny airplane seat. Plus, there is a vestibule in your train car, allowing you to see even more, and high windows for better viewing. 

Canyon Spirit offers several ways to experience its Rockies to the Red Rocks route. Signature Rail includes the rail journey and mid-journey hotel stay(s), with sightseeing tours as optional add-ons. The Stay package includes handpicked hotels before and/or after the trip with sightseeing options, and the Beyond package includes curated excursions and optional sightseeing tours. There are several different options, but the two-day rail Signature package starts at $1,739 at the time of this writing, and the three-day rail journey starts at $2,439. The price increases from there. There is also the option to do a Denver Return Journey that takes you out and back to the same spot, turning around at either Moab or Salt Lake City. You can check out all the options here. (If you fly out of Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake City International Airport has the highest on-time departure rate in the United States.)

Along the way, you'll see scenery that looks like it belongs in a fantasy novel. You'll pass the 6,800-foot-high Mount Garfield in the Book Cliffs, Ruby Canyon with its russet-colored walls, and travel through the Moffat Tunnel, which crosses the Continental Divide. The three-day trip also takes you through the sandstone scenery of Price Canyon. Whichever you choose, the overnight stays may also give you some time in Glenwood Springs and Moab, and, if you take the three-day trip, Salt Lake City. 

This train ride puts you within reach of Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah. If it's not included in your package, you can explore it during your free time if your itinerary allows. The gorgeous canyons and buttes are like nothing you've seen. The park spans nearly 338,000 acres, with the Green and Colorado Rivers dividing it into four sections: The Maze, The Needles, Island in the Sky, and the rivers themselves. Island in the Sky, the closest to Moab, has a scenic drive and sweeping overlooks.

Arches National Park is about 30 minutes away and has over 2,000 stone arches that appear to defy reality. (Someone actually had to tell me to close my mouth when I saw it for the first time.) There are archaeological sites to explore, including a rock panel with ancient markings. You can also do some hiking.

However, you also get to explore the cities you're visiting. Moab has a host of activities, whether you're there for the night on your way to Salt Lake City or your train journey ends there. You can do some boating or whitewater rafting on the rivers, or stay longer and hit Utahraptor State Park with one of the largest dinosaur bone beds on the continent. Both versions of the train ride stop overnight in Glenwood Springs, which is known for its hot springs. There are several to check out, including the Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves. You can steam in the caves, enjoy spa treatments, and relax in mineral baths. Depending on how long you stay on either end of the trip, you can take in the sights in Denver, or Salt Lake City if you take the three-day journey. Whichever version of the trip you choose, it's a unique way to experience this beautiful part of the country.