Rockies to the Red Rocks Train Denver to Moab SilverLeaf

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| Denver, USA

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2 days (approx.)

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Overview

See the unseen west on a two-day rail-only journey filled with extraordinary landscapes between Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah on Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks route. Travel where cars can’t and experience unmatched views of vast canyons, inspiring deserts, natural sandstone archways, and enchanting hoodoos, all while enjoying world-class service.

This journey is filled with highlights best seen by rail and includes an overnight stay in the storied spa town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

SilverLeaf Service is our standard level of service and includes delicious meals and beverages brought right to your seat, friendly Hosts, and complimentary baggage transfers. You can enhance your onboard experience with SilverLeaf Plus for exclusive access to our lounge car—which offers additional space to relax, as well as a small outdoor viewing area. Enjoy an elevated dining experience including wine pairings, premium alcoholic beverages, and signature cocktails.

What's Included

Breakfast
Lunch
Luggage handling to and from your midpoint accommodations
Engaging storytelling and world-class service from onboard Hosts
One night accommodation at the midpoint destination of Glenwood Springs
Gratuities
Restroom on board

Pre & Post trip lodging
WiFi on board
Airfare or connecting transportation before or after your rail journey

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Meeting Location

Meeting point

End point

South Main Street
Moab, UT 84532, USA

What To Expect

Day 1

Denver to Glenwood Springs

11 Stops

Denver

In the morning, board Rocky Mountaineer in the scenic city of Denver, Colorado. Enjoy a locally-inspired menu for breakfast and lunch, as well as snacks and drinks throughout the day.

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

River North Art District

Before boarding the train, your motorcoach transfer will take you through the River North Art District, known by locals as “RiNo”. RiNo is famous for its creative businesses and colorful street art murals found in alleys and on almost all buildings. Look for rhinos in art and signage all around as you travel through this neighborhood. *Please note, that the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Big Ten Curve

Before long, you will travel along an engineering marvel of America’s railroads, the Big 10 Curve. These tight 10-degree radius curves add mileage to the track to keep the grade to a railroad-friendly 2%. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Boulder

In the distance, the city of Boulder lies below. Known for its breweries, food scene, and outdoor activities, Boulder is where the Rocky Mountains meet the Plains. Catch a glimpse of the famous Flatirons, remnants of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains. These mountains were eroded down into a massive inland sea, creating the land we know as the Great Plains. In addition to the Flatirons, other popular hikes include Boulder and Bear Peaks. *Please note, that the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Gross Reservoir

Take in the scenic views of the Gross Reservoir Dam as you slowly gain elevation with Boulder, Colorado in the distance. This reservoir supplies water to the city of Denver and the agricultural Great Plains to the east. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Winter Park

Travel through the Moffat Tunnel, cutting through 6.2 miles of mountainous terrain as you cross the Continental Divide. Shortly after exiting the tunnel, take in the scenery of the mountain resort town, Winter Park. The jewel in the crown of the Denver Mountain Parks system, skiing began here in January 1940, with access being provided by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad Ski Train, the “Winter Park Express.” 300 inches/762 centimeters of snowfall annually, and 3,000 acres/1,214 hectares of skiing terrain make Winter Park Denver’s winter playground. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway

The Colorado River is known not only for its dramatic canyons but also for its whitewater rapids. Most of your journey will follow this historic river. Watch out for rafters who have a “unique” way of greeting trains! *Please note, that the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Byers Canyon

As you continue along the Colorado River, through more rugged landscapes and canyons, admire the picturesque Byers Canyon. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, as you may get a glimpse of some native to these canyons. *Please note, that the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Gore Canyon

The most dramatic canyon along our route, Gore Canyon, lies below, surrounded by over 1000-foot-tall cliffs. There are two sections to Gore Canyon, upper and lower. In Upper Gore Canyon, the elevation drops 300 feet to the Colorado River over the 3-mile length of the canyon. A collection of Class 4 & 5 rapids, with names like Fisherman’s Nightmare and Applesauce, make this one of the most challenging rafting sections of the Colorado River. *Please note, that the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Glenwood Canyon

This rugged canyon is the largest in Upper Colorado and is widely considered one of the most scenic natural features in the United States. *Please note, that the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Glenwood Springs

In the evening, arrive in the historic resort town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Disembark and reminisce about your day in the comfort of your cozy hotel room or enjoy a soak in the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs. Your hotel may be within walking distance, but a complimentary motorcoach transfer will also be available. A Rocky Mountaineer representative will provide details on pick-up times for the next morning on the way to your overnight hotel.

12 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Day 2

Glenwood Springs to Moab

10 Stops

Glenwood Springs

Depart Glenwood Springs in the morning for another day onboard Rocky Mountaineer. Enjoy a two-course hot breakfast with locally sourced ingredients as you head southwest past mountain vistas and desert cliffs.

5 hours • Admission Ticket Free

New Castle

Shortly after leaving Glenwood Springs, you will pass through the Town of New Castle. The Colorado River flows through the town and is a popular spot for trout fishing, rafting, and kayaking. Deer, elk, black bears, and mountain lions call the mountainous terrain home. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Palisade

Impressive landscapes continue as you pass by Parachute Creek and Mount Logan towards De Beque Canyon, a 15-mile narrow canyon with stair-step cliffs of sedimentary rock layers. Perched at the exit of De Beque Canyon, you will continue west through the town of Palisade, named for its dramatic steep cliffs of Mancos Shale bordering the valley. Palisade is home to the famed Palisade peaches, and it is Colorado’s first wine region. Standing tall above the town is Mount Garfield, the highest point of the Book Cliffs. These sandstone cliffs and mountains stretch 200 miles from east to west and mark the crossing from Colorado to Utah. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Grand Junction

As your journey continues west, you will pass through the town of Grand Junction developed at the confluence of the Gunnison River and the Grand River, as the Colorado River was then called. The largest city on Colorado’s western slope, Grand Junction has been a major fruit-growing region since it was founded by land speculator George Crawford in 1882. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Fruita

The city of Fruita is surrounded by stunning mesas and is known for its dinosaur fossils. The city is also uniquely known for being the home of “Mike the Headless Chicken” and holds a festival every May in his memory. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Ruby Canyon

Red sandstone cliffs line the canyon walls of this 25-mile/40-kilometer canyon located on the Colorado River. Popular for river rafting, this portion of the Colorado River is otherwise largely inaccessible. Painted on the walls of Ruby Canyon are the words “Utah I Colorado,” marking the border between the two states. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Cisco Ghosttown

The small town of Cisco, Utah, was once a thriving community and a watering stop for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad’s steam engines. The construction of Interstate 70 and the demise of the steam locomotive created an economic crash, turning Cisco into its current state of a ghost town. If you think you recognize this ghost town, it may be because Thelma and Louise drove through here on the run from the law in the 1990 movie. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Thompson

Another town that suffered the same fate as Cisco, is Thompson Springs, Utah. Although a few residents still call this area home, the town has very few remaining buildings. Located in the Thompson Canyon is an archeological site called the Thompson Wash Rock Art District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes several petroglyphs and pictographs left by early Native Americans. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Arches National Park

Breathtaking red rock formations emerge as you approach Moab and pass by Arches National Park. In the distance, you will see the La Sal Mountains, which is the second-highest mountain range in Utah. Originally a cattle ranch in the 1900s, this iconic national park was established as Arches National Monument by President Herbert Hoover in April 1929. The park displays over 2,000 arches, the longest being the Landscape Arch, with a light opening of 306 feet/93 meters across. *Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Admission Ticket Free

Moab

Moab is known as the gateway to Utah’s Might 5 National Parks and attracts visitors from all over the world to explore Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Parks. Your rail journey will come to an end upon arrival in Moab. Enjoy the warm hospitality offered in this small American Southwest town while exploring its many microbreweries, restaurants, and galleries.

12 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rockies to the Red Rocks Train Denver to Moab SilverLeaf?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025