Rockies to the Red Rocks Train - Moab to Denver - SilverLeaf Plus
5.0
11 Ratings
Moab

Embark on a two-day rail journey from Moab to Denver. Experience stunning landscapes, world-class service, and exclusive SilverLeaf Plus amenities.

Duration: 2 days
Highlights

Moab to Glenwood Springs

Moab - In the afternoon, board Rocky Mountaineer in the “Adventure Capital of the West”, Moab, Utah. Your meeting point will be communicated in your final travel documents. 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. Enjoy locally-inspired dinner, snacks, and complimentary beverages onboard.

Arches National Park - Your journey starts by traveling through breathtaking red rock formations as you 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.

Thompson - One of the few ghost towns in the area 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.

Cisco Ghosttown - Like Thompson Springs, 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.

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.

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.

Grand Junction - As your journey continues east, 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.

Palisade - Perched at the entrance of De Beque Canyon, you will continue east 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.

New Castle - Impressive landscapes continue as 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.

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.

Glenwood Springs to Denver

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.

Glenwood Canyon - Leaving Glenwood Springs, you will enter 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, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

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, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

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, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Colorado River Headwater - 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, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Winter Park - 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. As you leave Winter Park, you will travel through the Moffat Tunnel, cutting through 6.2 miles of mountainous terrain as you cross the Continental Divide
*Please note, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

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.

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, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

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.

River North Art District - As you leave 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, the train passes through this location and does not stop.

Denver - Arriving in the vibrant mile-high city of Denver, your rail journey will come to an end. Enjoy the evening exploring the Lower Downtown Historic District, listen to show-stopping live music, or enjoy the unique and delicious food that Denver has to offer.

What's Included
  • Luggage handling to and from your midpoint accommodations
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Engaging storytelling and world-class service from onboard Hosts
  • Breakfast
  • One night accommodation at the midpoint destination of Glenwood Springs
  • Gratuities
  • On-board restrooms
  • Motorcoach transfers are included from a central destination to the train departure location
What's Not Included
  • Pre & Post trip lodging
  • On-board WiFi
  • Airfare or connecting transportation before or after your rail journey
Additional Information

See the unseen west on a two-day rail-only journey filled with extraordinary landscapes between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado 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.

Each day includes delicious meals and beverages brought right to your seat, friendly Hosts, and complimentary baggage transfers. With our enhanced level of service, SilverLeaf Plus, receive exclusive access to our lounge car—which offers additional space to relax, as well as a small outdoor viewing area. Enjoy an elevated experience including premium alcoholic beverages and signature cocktails.

Location
Rocky Mountaineer Moab Guest Centre
South Main Street
Please note, you will need to visit our Guest Centre to receive your boarding pass and luggage tags prior to your train departure during the times listed below. Sunday 12 pm to 7 pm Monday 8 am to 11 am Tuesday 12 pm to 4 pm Wednesday 12 pm to 7 pm Thursday 8 am to 11 am Saturday 12 pm to 4pm
Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Beaverstravelwell
Jul 24, 2024
Great Experience - We boarded on time, departed on time, and the whole experience was great. Seats had lots of leg room, air conditioning was perfect. The lounge car had the superior seats for comfort, so other than meals we stayed in the lounge car. All the crew were excellent, warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. Food was good, not served hot, but nice flavour and quality.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D7075unjimc
Nov 26, 2023
Wonderful Luxury Day Train - This luxury day train is outstanding. The entire experience, particularly their incredible staff, was a great (and scenic) experience. We highly recommend the Silver Leaf Plus level with its access to a private lounge car. Although lunch on the second day (beef short rib and the chicken) was a bit of a miss (good, but not as outstanding as the other meals), this appears to have been a bit of a one-off as other passengers who had the same thing raved about their meals. Our overnight hotel We took the Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to Red Rocks tour to see how we would like taking their luxury day train on one of the Canadian routes. We were duly impressed and plan on taking their Gold Leaf service between Banff and Vancouver in the next couple of years. Many thanks to the Rocky Mountaineer team, particularly the onboard team, for a wonderful experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philj925
Oct 15, 2023
Great Service and Terrific Experience - Note: this review only encompasses the train portion of the Moab-to-Denver trip. An additional review will be written to include the entire trip from Salt Lake City to Denver. Our train trip actually began two days before we boarded the train, as we met personally with Manu (Emanuel) at the Hoo Doo Hotel (a clean and comfortable accommodation). Manu was friendly and welcoming as he aptly explained what was to come, gave us luggage tags for our hotels, and provided us with our boarding passes. Day 1 of the actual trip began at a conference room in the Hoo Doo Hotel. There were fresh cookies and water awaiting the 117 travelers (about half the capacity of the train). Upon arrival into the conference room, we were informed that the train would be delayed by one hour due to a large boulder on the tracks. Eventually, the travelers were told it was time to board the buses and go to the train. This is where Rocky Mountaineer (RM) failed a bit. People were confused about when we could actually get on the bus and better communication would have alleviated this problem. The 15 minute bus ride to the train was smooth, and included a guide who told us more about Moab and the surrounding area. The train was awaiting us at a staging area, as there is no actual train station in Moab. Getting onto the train was easy and it did not take long before the train was on its way. The interior of the train is comfortable, with plenty of legroom. Once the train was moving, our Hosts (Leigh & Crystal), along with our Chef (Nephi) warmly welcomed the travelers in our Car, which included safety instructions and information about what we can expect. It cannot be emphasized enough about how excellent a job these three gals did to serve us. Leigh and Crystal were constantly attentive to meet our needs, and were extremely knowledgeable about where we were and what we were seeing. Leigh was especially good; full of energy and quite engaging. Leigh also doubled as our personal bartender and did a great job in that capacity, as well. Nephi was a fun-loving lady and a fantastic chef. The plentiful food (of which there was more than enough) was outstanding! A side note about SilverLeaf Plus: When we booked our trip, we decided to "splurge" and upgrade to SilverLeaf Plus. This was an excellent move on our part and was well worth it. Plus allowed us better food/drink options and we were able to move from our passenger car to two other lounge cars. The availability of having access to multiple cars also meant access to multiple restrooms, all of which were clean. I also suspect we were given better and more experienced hosts (and chef) as part of this package. One disappointment was that the end of our first day on the train ended in darkness. That was due to the aforementioned late start due to the boulder on the tracks. This could not be avoided by RM, but it was unfortunate that we could not enjoy some of the natural beauty as we approached Glenwood Springs. We arrived in chilly Glenwood Springs in the evening and were provided with room keys for the hotel (Hotel Denver), so there was not a need to "check in". Our bags were already placed in the room, which was a nice touch. The hotel room itself was not up to our standards. It was older and small, and was located just outside the noisy trash collection area. The pillows were not comfortable and the shower was also not very good. That said, it was clean and warm. Day 2 started by heading to the train station, which was a short walk from the hotel. RM provided coffee and hot chocolate while we waited for the time to board. The RM staff greeted us and we had a fun group "All Aboard" chant was we began our train ride to Denver. One special thing that had happened overnight was that the higher portions of the mountains had a fresh coat of snow (the first of the season). This provided spectacularly beautiful views throughout the day. We were also greeted with some amusing “moon shots” by rafters along the Colorado River! Once again, our hosts were full of energy and worked hard to serve our every desire. Leigh continued to treat us as well as you could hope, and Nephi's meals (breakfast and lunch) were simply amazing. On occasion we were also hosted by the train manager, who provided us with fun facts and stories. As we approached Denver, Crystal, Nephi, and Leigh all took time to tell us how much they appreciated serving us. Leigh's talk was especially heartfelt as she was brought to tears. The ladies all provided us with parting gifts, and Leigh gave us a hug as we stepped off the train. From there, we were transported by bus to the Rally Hotel. This 15-20 minute trip included two other RM tour guides who provided local info about the parts of Denver we were going through. The Rally Hotel was modern and clean; however, the pillows were uncomfortable and the shower head was not good. Overall, the trip was excellent and highly recommended. Nearly everything that involved RM staff was top-notch. At a time where the service industry is failing, it was refreshing to experience the service provided by Rocky Mountaineer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mary
Jun 23, 2023
Beyond fabulous - First Class Service all the way from Moab to Denver! Our Rocky Mountaineer crew made us feel like royalty with customer service beyond measure! Neal, Leigh, Sabina and Sophia provided each passenger a heartfelt experience by serving fabulous culinary delights and treating us to rich history lessons along the way. This team of Rocky Mountaineer train attendants worked beautifully together! A definite trip of a lifetime.....thanks to all!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joannemn001
Jun 16, 2023
Rocky Mountaineer Train from Rockies to Red Rocks - The scenery is stunning! Mountains are gorgeous along the whole route. The Rocky Mountaineer staff and service are top notch and provide excellent service. The food is gourmet and delicious. The staff look after all your luggage transfers from hotel to hotel. I highly recommend taking this epic trip through the Rockies and on to Red Rocks. A trip that will amaze you! JM
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Df5132939738
May 18, 2023
A comfortable way to view beautiful scenery - The history of the American West is largely the story of access to railroads, minerals, and waterways. The Rockies to Red Rocks tour offered by Rocky Mountaineer [RM] lets you explore the history and geology of this picturesque region from the comfort of a passenger railcar that travels at a sight-seeing pace. I recommend this package [Moab to Denver route] to anyone who wants the tour company to handle most of the details. Train The food and drink service were great, as was the narration provided by the hosts. The train departed from a dusty railroad siding north of Moab. The first few dozen miles were on a freight-only line that carries potassium salts and uranium tailings. This line has never carried passengers before, and there is no train depot in Moab. The first night, our train did stop at an Amtrak depot in Glenwood Springs that was right next to our hotel. In Denver, the train stopped at a rail yard north of the city proper. Each time the train stopped for the night, we were given hotel keys aboard the train, making check-in a breeze. That was especially welcome when the train arrived at its stop late in the day. Luggage Our luggage was carried separately by a motorbus dedicated to the trip, and was waiting for us in our assigned hotel rooms in Glenwood Springs and Denver. The bus also took us to the train from our hotel in Moab and delivered us to the hotel in Denver. Scenery I enjoyed the scenery more on the second day, especially the narrow Colorado River canyons that the train passes through after leaving Glenwood Springs. There are also many more rail tunnels on the second day, including the impressive Moffat Tunnel that travels under the Continental Divide. There were occasional sightings of pronghorn antelope, elk, and red fox, as well as picture-worthy stands of aspen and cottonwood trees along the Colorado River. You must be quick to catch glimpses of the wildlife, as they generally run away from the train. I missed sightings of moose and mule deer. It was somewhat easier to catch sight of the birds [bald eagles and ospreys] that we passed on the second day. Hotels We stayed one night at The Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City, then RM provided a shuttle van for the 5-hour drive to Moab. In Moab, we stayed two nights at the Hyatt Place. This hotel is very comfortable and attractive, but it is located over a mile north of downtown Moab, and we only had a rental car for one day. RM provided a dedicated shuttle from the hotel to downtown, but only from noon-8 pm. The shuttle driver Martin was very pleasant and efficient, but if you can book a hotel closer to downtown Moab, that might make your stay more enjoyable. Either that or rent a car in Moab for two days. The overnight stay at Glenwood Springs was fun. We stayed at the Hotel Denver, which is a historic rail hotel right next to the train station that has been updated with modern conveniences without losing its old-fashioned charm. Glenwood Springs itself is a small, tourist-oriented town, with lots of places worth a visit. Unfortunately, we only had about a 12-hour overnight visit. The same was true for the stop in Denver. The train arrived late [around sunset], and the next morning we were off to Denver airport to catch our return flights. Moab The tour package included almost two days in Moab [noon to noon] for local sightseeing, and we spent our one full day exploring the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks by vehicle. There is something for everyone in Moab, from whitewater rafting to off-roading to nature photography.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisabl6273ws
Apr 27, 2023
Wonderful experience! - Amazing scenery, excellent food & drink and interesting storytelling. It really is an experience! Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cjg1
Apr 22, 2023
Carefree Train Travel - Fantastic service, food, views. Such friendly staff. I could not have asked for a better experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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