Rockies to the Red Rocks

Welcome onboard I Moab to Glenwood Springs I Glenwood Springs to Denver

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In collaboration with

Welcome onboard

This two-day itinerary takes in some of the most famous landscapes of the American Southwest on the route from Moab to Denver, surrounded by deserts and canyons, epic rock formations and rugged mountains stretching across the horizon. Guided by your expert onboard Host, you’ll see Mount Garfield and Ruby Canyon from your train’s panoramic windows. Pull out your camera to capture the moment you cross the Continental Divide. You'll be able to take snapshots of Mount Peale, Byers Canyon and more. You’ll wind past ancient canyons and mountain ranges, follow the winding path of the Colorado River and view sights that are only accessible by train or by boat. This unique experience will allow you to discover a region steeped in history in a whole new way.

Discover the American Southwest

Rocky Mountaineer

The Wild West as you’ve never seen it before

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Discover scenic mountain vistas, rugged canyons and surging rivers on Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks route. Traveling between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado, you'll be privy to rugged landscapes not easily seen by car – the train really is the best way to see this unspoiled wilderness. From red sandstone cliffs to mountains topped with spires of evergreen trees, you’ll experience an unforgettable journey while enjoying world-class service and regionally inspired cuisine onboard the Rocky Mountaineer trains. The two-day journey will take you across the ever-changing landscapes on a unique train with glass-dome coaches. You’ll only travel during daylight hours, so you can absorb the full route with an expert team of Hosts onboard to highlight the geology and history of the region. At night, you’ll have the comfort of a hotel room, with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Your luggage will be whisked to and from the train by Rocky Mountaineer for a hassle-free experience.

Plan your trip

Enjoy a welcome toast and be ready to have your senses delighted by the regionally inspired cuisine with fresh, seasonal ingredients. You’ll delight in thoughtfully prepared three-course meals for lunch and dinner; we’ve seen Colorado smoked salmon and braised short ribs on the menu as well as golden sugar waffles and wild mountain berry parfaits. Breakfast comes with freshly baked scones. The delicious meals are served en route as your Host shares the history of the region. Pair your meals with local wines, craft beers or just a cup of coffee – all beverages are included. You’ll also be treated to morning and afternoon snacks.

Dining delights

Traveling on Rocky Mountaineer is not a means of getting from place to place; it’s all about the time you’ll spend onboard. Highlighted as the “best train experience in the world” by the Society of American Travel Writers and one of the world’s “Top 10 iconic train excursions” by USA Today, it’s a journey coordinated and choreographed to engage all the senses and forge unforgettable moments. You’ll be immersed in breathtaking scenery the moment the train pulls away from the station, and the all-daylight nature of the experience means you won’t miss any sights. The onboard Hosts have such stories to tell – you’ll be treated to delicious stories of each area’s history and folklore, with the train slowing at particularly scenic locations so guests can take photographs.

The Rocky Mountaineer experience

The journey of a lifetime begins in Moab, a colorful town with plenty to discover on foot before you board your train. The entry point to the majestic Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, this fun desert oasis has activities all year round. Start with a visit to Arches National Park, which holds the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. Embark on a scenic drive or lace up your hiking shoes and take on one of the numerous trails. You can even book a ranger-led hike through the Fiery Furnace, a maze of arches and canyons. Consider adding an extra day in Moab so that you can explore the unusual rock formations by moonlight or catch a sunrise. The sandstone gleaming in the rising sun is almost magical to witness.

Welcome to Moab

Moab to Glenwood Springs

Sleep in curated comfort

The two-day Rockies to the Red Rocks journey includes an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs - and with Rocky Mountaineer, every detail of the hotel experience is taken care of. Check-in happens on the train and you’ll be handed your keys en route. Plus, your luggage is picked up and delivered from the train to the hotel and back the next morning. Rocky Mountaineer partners with the best hotels in each destination. The Glenwood Springs hotel will be pre-selected and determined by the chosen service level and availability at time of booking, but each hotel option is carefully curated, taking into consideration proximity to restaurants and service level.

Discover Glenwood springs

The first day’s journey will end in Glenwood Springs, where you can spend the evening exploring at your leisure. Nestled under the shadows of the Rockies, you’ll find plenty to do. If time permits, consider taking a dip in one of the many hot springs – the city is known for the healing and restorative powers of its water. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort boasts two large outdoor pools and is home to the world’s largest mineral hot spring pool. Just downstream, Iron Mountain Hot Springs has 16 smaller natural spring pools in different shapes and temperatures. After basking in the mineral waters, relax over a meal at one of the many options on Restaurant Row; you’ll find farm-to-table cuisine, smoky barbecue dinners and even Asian bistros and restaurants for variety.

Book Cliffs to Parachute Creek

Continue on past the goblins and canyons through mountain ranges that tower over the glass-dome windows of the train. You’ll see Book Cliffs - stretching 200 miles and named for the way they appear like books lined up on a shelf - and Mount Garfield, the westernmost peak of the San Juan Mountains and the highest point of Book Cliffs. Stay alert for wildlife en route, including wild horses that roam across the range. As you cross into Colorado, you’ll pass the 15-mile-long narrow face of De Beque Canyon, followed by views of Parachute Creek and Mount Logan. Some of the tallest waterfalls drop into Parachute Creek from the top of Roan Plateau.

As the train begins its journey to the Utah-Colorado border, you’ll travel into a panorama of desert canyons and mountain ranges. Spot Mount Peale in the distance: rising 12,720 feet and the highest point of the La Sal mountain range, it’s among the most isolated peaks in the Southwest, towering over the desert and often dusted with snow well into June and July. You’ll travel along the Colorado River with views of Ruby Canyon accessible only by train; the 25-mile-long canyon glows pale pink and ruby red in the sunlight. In the distance, you’ll also be able to catch sight of the Three Sisters, one of the signature formations in Utah’s Goblin Valley State Park. The tall spires of rock, known as hoodoos or goblins, will keep you company as you continue on your journey.

Utah-Colorado border

Glenwood Springs to Denver

The Rockies to the Red Rocks Classic Package is a two-day journey that goes both from Moab to Denver and vice versa. Guests are also offered the opportunity to take a roundtrip to experience both itineraries on an eight-day adventure. Additional curated packages are also offered. Add-on a visit to Salt Lake City with flightseeing, or consider a leisurely guided sightseeing tour from Moab to Las Vegas with visits to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Guests are also able to create a fully customized journey by adding on sightseeing transfers and day tours.

Encore experience

The two-day journey across the Southwest ends in the Mile High City of Denver, where you can continue your vacation. Explore the numerous vibrant neighborhoods or bustling food scenes: the city had nine James Beard semifinalist nominations in 2023. You’ll find farm-to-table cuisine, traditional French brasseries and Japanese fusion, as well as Mexico City-inspired tacos, Mediterranean tapas and more. The lively music scene will have something to entertain you through the evening, or consider sampling Denver’s endless varieties of beer: the city boasts over 100 breweries and tap rooms.

Mile-high delights

Begin day two of your journey with a lavish breakfast onboard as you travel along the Colorado River. Sipping your coffee or tea, you’ll meander through canyons carved out through centuries of the river’s flow, and you’ll pass by the narrow gorges of Byers Canyon and Gore Canyon, the latter inaccessible to most traffic. Pass along the Continental Divide as you head toward Denver. The divide cuts through Grand County, Colorado, offering vistas of the Rocky Mountains. Your train will travel through the historic Moffat Tunnel, 6.2 miles long and 3,000 feet under the Continental Divide. You’ll hug the curves as the train makes its way across the Big Ten, an S-shaped track along the base of the Rocky Mountains named for its ten-degree radius curvature. Built in the early 1900s, this long and winding route provides epic views of the surrounding landscape.

Colorado River

Rocky Mountaineer’s SilverLeaf Service includes everything you need to enjoy the Rockies to the Red Rocks route with ease: delicious meals and beverages, complimentary baggage transfers and more. But consider elevating your experience with SilverLeaf Plus. The upgrade includes exclusive access to the lounge coach that offers an additional outdoor viewing area, plus an elevated dining experience with wine pairings, premium alcoholic beverages, and hand-crafted cocktails. Sample the Colorado Cosmo made with Woody Creek Vodka or treat yourself to premium pastries and desserts from Colorado bakeries as you mingle with other guests.

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Unparalleled service

Photograph by Marc Piscotty

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Photograph by Ken Cheung

Photograph by Marc Piscotty

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Photograph by Matt Inden Miles

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Photograph by Scott Dressell Martin

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Placeholder: Glenwood Springs Sotck

Photograph by Marc Piscotty

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Photograph by Ken Cheung