All Articles How to see North America's fall foliage by train

How to see North America's fall foliage by train

These are the best seats in the house to see the changing colors.

By Sarah Kuta16 Sept 2022 4 minutes read
The Colorado Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in autumn
The Colorado Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in autumn
Image: Courtesy of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Between navigating crowded roads, dodging traffic, finding parking, stopping for bathroom breaks, and riding in cramped quarters, a relaxing road trip to see the changing fall colors can quickly spiral into a frustrating flop.

This fall, consider ditching the car and hopping aboard a train instead. With comfy seats and plenty of room to spread out, onboard amenities like Wi-Fi and snacks, and an engineer in the driver’s seat, trains are an ideal low-stress way to admire Mother Nature’s flashy autumn spectacle. Below, some of the best leaf-peeping train rides in North America.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, CO

Yellow fall foliage surrounding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, CO
Image: Courtesy of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Best time to go: Mid-September to mid-October

Marvel at the buttery-yellow aspens of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains while riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on a route dating back to 1882. Start the journey at the original depot in downtown Durango, then make the 45-mile trek to the tiny former silver mining town of Silverton in comfort aboard either a steam or diesel train. Grab lunch and walk around quaint Silverton, then hop back on the train for the return trip to Durango (or, if you’re short on time, there’s an option to take a bus back). The full-day route follows the path of the gorgeous Animas River, which makes for great photo opportunities as the dancing aspen leaves turn from green to gold.

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Ethan Allen Express, NY to VT

Aerial view of fall foliage that lines the Ethan Allen Express train track in Vermont
Aerial view of fall foliage that lines the Ethan Allen Express train track in Vermont
Image: Cavan Images/Getty Images

Best time to go: Late September through early October

Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express is a handy option for commuting between New York City and Burlington, VT, but it’s also a peaceful way to experience New England’s awe-inspiring fall foliage. As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, passengers can stay cozy while watching the brilliant display of fiery sugar maples and sunny birches passing by outside the window. The train departs from bustling Penn Station, then makes its way north through the Hudson River Valley and the Green Mountains. Spend the night at one of Burlington’s charming hotels and bed-and-breakfasts before making the trip back home.

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Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, OH

Group of people taking photos of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in autumn
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, OH
Image: Courtesy of Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Best time to go: October

Take in the fall colors of Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park from a unique vantage point aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Fall Flyer rides. The 33,000-acre park in northeast Ohio is brimming with broad-leaf trees that come alive with color each autumn, from glowing red maples and dogwoods to vibrant orange sassafras to lemony-yellow bigtooth aspens and white ash. Travel along the Cuyahoga River—and keep your eyes peeled for peregrine falcons, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and other wildlife along the way—on this special two-hour leaf-peeping ride offered on Saturdays and Sundays throughout October.

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Agawa Canyon Tour Train, Canada

The  Agawa Canyon Tour Train in fall
The Agawa Canyon Tour Train
Image: Courtesy of Agawa Canyon Tour Train

Best time to go: Mid-September through early October

Venture north into Canada for an unparalleled leaf-peeping ride on the Agawa Canyon Tour Train. Departing from downtown Sault Ste. Marie, just across the border from Michigan, this cheery locomotive travels 114 miles round-trip to Agawa Canyon Park, which has earned a reputation for being one of the best places to see dazzling orange and red maples in northern Ontario. The train weaves through the serene hardwood forests of the Canadian Shield, traversing across streams and lakes before descending 500 feet to the canyon floor. After a 90-minute stopover to explore the park, which is home to several gushing waterfalls, it's back onboard the train for the return journey. In addition to maples, riders get a kaleidoscopic view of multicolored birches, aspens, hornbeams, firs, and pines.

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North Shore Scenic Railroad, MN

The North Shore Scenic Railroad on a bridge in autumn
The North Shore Scenic Railroad, MN
Image: David Schauer

Best time to go: Mid-September to mid-October

Travel along the western shore of Lake Superior while riding the North Shore Scenic Railroad. On weekends in the fall, this Minnesota railroad’s foliage tour departs from Duluth and travels north to Two Harbors for a leisurely layover that allows time for lunch and shopping. From the train, take in the golden-yellow hues of the birches and aspens, the oranges and reds of the sumacs and maples, and the dark greens of the conifers, all set against the backdrop of the majestic lake’s sparkling cerulean waters.

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Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, NC

Close up of Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, TN
Image: ​​RegiK8/Tripadvisor

Best time to go: October

The Great Smoky Mountains are beautiful any time of year but, come autumn, they’re particularly dramatic thanks to red-orange sugar maples, reddish-brown oaks, golden poplars, and other colorful trees. Experience the best of the fall foliage aboard the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in western North Carolina. The 44-mile round-trip Nantahala Gorge excursion, which departs daily from Bryson City, NC, offers some of the best leaf-peeping opportunities around. It follows the Nantahala River into the gorge, where travelers can disembark, stretch their legs and take in the views before hopping back on the train for the return trip.

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Napa Valley Wine Train

Exterior view of the Napa Valley Wine Train
Napa Valley Wine Train, CA
Image: Courtesy of Napa Valley Wine Train

Best time to go: Mid-October to early November

Napa Valley may be best known for its bold cabernet sauvignons and other delectable wines, but this region in northern California is also an ideal destination for leaf-peeping. Why? Because the slightly cooler autumn weather sets the valley’s tidy, geometric rows of grapevines ablaze with color. Take it all in—and, of course, sip some wine—with a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train, which makes a 36-mile round-trip jaunt from Napa to St. Helena and back. Towering oaks and stately eucalyptus trees also line the route, adding even more hues of crimson and orange to the mix.

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Sarah Kuta
Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Colorado who specializes in travel, food and drink, science, history, and more. Her work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Food & Wine, NBC News, Lonely Planet, Smithsonian Magazine, the Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, the Toronto Star, and many other publications. When she's not writing, she's probably skiing, birdwatching, road tripping in her converted camper van, hiking with her dog Daisy, mountain biking, or checking out craft breweries.