Colorado is full of unforgettable scenic train rides, each offering its own unique charm—from historic mining town views to majestic mountain passes.
A couple of years ago, we hopped aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a charming narrow-gauge railway that winds through a beautiful stretch of the Rockies.
That ride, while lovely and unique, is shorter (about 1 hour and 15 minutes), sits at a lower elevation, and doesn’t quite deliver the sweeping grandeur of the high alpine experience we were craving.
That’s why I was especially excited to ride the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, a train journey that runs at over 10,000 feet and offers a longer, more immersive trip through the heart of the Rockies.
Tips Before You Ride
Arrive early to get your seat (on the left side)
We arrived about 30 minutes before departure, which is the recommended time, but I’d suggest showing up at least 45 minutes to an hour early if you’re hoping for prime seating. Some seats are first-come, first-serve, and not all views are created equal. Some cars are completely open with no ceiling, others have a ceiling but open walls, and some are enclosed with windows.
If you’re facing forward (the direction the train will first move), try to get a seat on the left-hand side—that’s the side with the jaw-dropping canyon views. The right side is far more limited in what you’ll see. If the train isn’t full, you’ll be able to move around easily and find better vies, but arriving early definitely gives you an edge.
Clothing
Layered clothing is a must—you’ll want to be prepared for both chilly winds and intense sun. Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat—at this altitude, UV rays are no joke.
Lounge Car vs. Open-Air Seating
We chose to ride in one of the lounge cars, which comes at a slightly higher cost.
It offers a booth-style table with either two or four seats per side, large windows (with one side that opens), and a server who takes your food and drink orders.
It’s a comfortable option, and in winter months, these might be the only enclosed seats available. But honestly? Unless the weather is bad, you’ll probably want to be outside for most of the ride. The open-air cars are where the magic happens—and they’re also dog-friendly, something I wish I’d known ahead of time!
There are some fun upgrade options like riding in the caboose or even in the engine. The caboose is great for private group experiences—you just book general admission tickets for your whole party, then add one caboose ride to make it private for the trip.
The engine cab ride is a one-way upgrade that’s perfect if you’re looking for a more behind-the-scenes adventure. Just grab your regular tickets (general admission or lounge), then add an engine ride for each person who wants to ride up front. You’ll switch into the engine halfway through the trip, at the water tower stop.
Onboard Food & Service
Lounge passengers have a menu to choose from with quite a few things like chili, pizza, and lots of sweets like rice crispy treats, pastries, etc. We ordered a personal pizza to share at the beginning of the ride, and it arrived quickly—perfect for a light meal before heading outdoors. But keep in mind you can bring your own food on board.
There’s also a gift shop on board with everything from souvenirs and T-shirts to Chapstick, sunglasses, snacks, and drinks. If you’re traveling with kids or want a memento, it’s a fun place to browse.
There are also bathroom facilities onboard, and even the sinks come with a view—literally.
Into the Mountains
We departed just a few minutes late and rolled comfortably into the high-altitude wilderness. The pace is leisurely, not too loud, and perfect for relaxing. By late May, the weather was crisp but not cold, with snow still visible across the peaks.
The conductor does narrate a large portion of the trip so you can learn a lot about the scenery in the history of the area.
However, they need to fix the speakers for the sound system because the audio was constantly getting cut up and muffled, and I probably only heard about 30 to 40% of what was said when in the lounge car.
As you move along the canyon above the Arkansas River, the views are just incredible. We got some views on the right side (uphill side) but they were very limited. Mostly forest and mountainside but every now and again you’d get something like this which was rather stunning.
The nice views like that were limited so once we finished our food, we migrated outside. It’s easy to walk between cars while the train is moving but you’ll want to be careful when making your steps, especially if you have small children.
Once we got into the open air cars, we were immediately rewarded with incredible panoramic views—snow-capped 14ers (including Colorado’s highest peak), dense pine and fir forests, and the fresh, invigorating scent of the mountains.
We’d been staying in Leadville for a couple of weeks, so we were already spoiled by beautiful scenery—but this train ride still blew us away.
It was late May, and only the aspens at the lower elevations were just starting to leaf out. I can only imagine how stunning this ride would be in the fall, when the leaves change color—I’d love to come back and experience it then.
The Journey & Special Stops
This is an out-and-back ride to Climax, not a loop.
At the turnaround point, you’ll stop at a scenic viewpoint near a historic water tower, where you can hop off, stretch your legs, take a short walk, and soak in the mountain air. It’s a great little break to enjoy the surroundings and snap some photos.
The highest elevation point reaches about 11,000 feet, so while it’s not an extreme hike, it is a high-altitude experience. If you’re sensitive to elevation, the onboard team sells small oxygen canisters, which could help ease symptoms. My advice is to just drink a lot of water beforehand and bring water with you on the train (they allow you to bring your own food and drinks).
Final Thoughts
All in all, this was a fantastic experience and easily my favorite scenic train ride in Colorado so far. The elevation, length of the ride, and the sheer vastness of the mountain views make it special. Seeing the headwaters of the Arkansas River and riding through snow-dusted alpine forests was something I won’t forget anytime soon.
While every season offers something unique, May was a beautiful time to go, with snowy peaks, cool temperatures, and fewer crowds. That said, I’d love to go back in the fall to catch the aspens in full color.
If you’re planning a trip to Leadville—or even just passing through—don’t skip this train ride. It’s a must-do for mountain lovers, train enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a taste of Colorado’s high country magic.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
