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

With the shut of summer time, it signifies 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, in fact, the autumn foliage craze that begins to take over the nation.

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

Based on the scenic railways vacationers had been raving about final yr, listed here are 5 U.S. practice rides that supply a number of the greatest fall views for 2025.

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🚂 Conway Scenic Railroad, New Hampshire

The Angle: Classic New England Beauty

If you need the quintessential New England fall expertise, that is it. While there are lots of foliage trains within the area, vacationers in 2024 persistently gushed that the Mountaineer route on the Conway Scenic Railroad is among 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 provides cliffside views, historic trestles, and a sea of vibrant pink and orange maple timber.

• The Experience: This is an extended, extra immersive journey, providing a eating automobile and a real feeling of golden-era practice journey.
• Best Time To Go: The first two weeks of October are usually peak season for this a part of New Hampshire.

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🏞️ Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Ohio

The Angle: A National Park by Rail

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

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

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⛰️ Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia

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The Angle: Authentic Appalachian Adventure

For a very distinctive and historic expertise, head to the mountains of West Virginia. The Cass Scenic Railroad just 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 Experience: This is a loud, highly effective, and genuine steam practice trip that appears like stepping again in time. The views from the highest are completely breathtaking.
• Best Time To Go: The first three weeks of October provide one of the best probability for vibrant colours.

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🏜️ Verde Canyon Railroad, Arizona

The Angle: Surprising Desert Beauty

A fall foliage journey within the Arizona desert? Absolutely! This is our “underrated gem” decide that vacationers raved about final yr for being so surprising. The Verde Canyon Railroad follows the Verde River by way of a shocking pink rock canyon. In the autumn, the cottonwood and sycamore timber that line the river flip an excellent, surprising yellow, creating an unimaginable distinction in opposition to the pink cliffs and blue sky.

• The Experience: Book a seat in an open-air viewing automobile to get one of the best, unobstructed photographs of the canyon and the colourful ribbon of gold beneath.
• Best Time To Go: Late October by way of the primary two weeks of November.

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🏔️ Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado

The Angle: The Rocky Mountain Epic

This is a real bucket-list journey. The historic Durango & Silverton steam train winds its method by way of the distant wilderness of the San Juan National Forest, carving by way of canyons alongside the speeding Animas River. In the autumn, the route is lined with hundreds of thousands of golden aspen timber, making a world-class spectacle of colour. It’s an unforgettable, epic journey that persistently ranks as the most effective practice rides on the earth.

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

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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 method to expertise the magic of the season with out the stress. Happy Fall Travels! 🚂