With the close of summer, it means that fall is starting to make its way into the minds of most of us. To many people across the U.S., fall means cozy nights, apple cider, warm sweaters, and, of course, the fall foliage craze that begins to take over the country.

Foliage fever is real, and while road trips and national park hikes are great, why not experience America’s beautiful autumn views by rail this year? Here at Travel Off Path, we’ve seen that train travel is having a major moment. It’s a chance to sit back, relax, and soak in the stunning views without the stress of driving.

{ const mainContainer = document.getElementById(‘top-train-teaser-v1’); if (!mainContainer) return; let state = { view: ‘selection’, selectedIndex: null }; let hasInteracted = false; const data = [ { choice: “Classic New England Colors”, emoji: “🍁”, railroad: “Conway Scenic Railroad”, teaser: “Your classic New England journey awaits…” }, { choice: “Epic Mountains & Canyons”, emoji: “🏔️”, railroad: “Durango & Silverton Railroad”, teaser: “Your Rocky Mountain epic is ready to depart…” }, { choice: “Unique & Unexpected Views”, emoji: “🏜️”, railroad: “Verde Canyon Railroad”, teaser: “Discover a journey through surprising desert beauty…” } ]; const buildElement = (tag, options = {}) => { const el = document.createElement(tag); Object.assign(el, options); if (options.classes) el.classList.add(…options.classes); return el; }; const scrollOnInteraction = () => { if (!hasInteracted) { hasInteracted = true; setTimeout(() => { mainContainer.scrollIntoView({ behavior: ‘smooth’, block: ‘start’ }); }, 50); } }; const render = () => { mainContainer.innerHTML = ”; const card = buildElement(‘div’, { classes: [‘tt-card’] }); const view = buildElement(‘div’, { classes: [‘tt-view’] }); if (state.view === ‘selection’) { const title = buildElement(‘h2’, { textContent: “Your Scenic Fall Railway Awaits…” }); const description = buildElement(‘p’, { classes: [‘tt-description’], textContent: “What kind of fall scenery are you dreaming of? Pick a vibe to reveal your perfect railway.” }); const selectionGrid = buildElement(‘div’, { classes: [‘tt-selection-grid’] }); data.forEach((item, index) => { const choiceCard = buildElement(‘div’, { classes: [‘tt-choice-card’] }); choiceCard.innerHTML = `${item.emoji}${item.choice}`; choiceCard.onclick = () => { scrollOnInteraction(); state.view = ‘result’; state.selectedIndex = index; render(); }; selectionGrid.appendChild(choiceCard); }); view.appendChild(title); view.appendChild(description); view.appendChild(selectionGrid); } else if (state.view === ‘result’) { const item = data[state.selectedIndex]; const ticket = buildElement(‘div’, { classes: [‘tt-ticket’] }); const railroadName = buildElement(‘div’, { classes: [‘tt-ticket-railroad’], textContent: item.railroad }); const teaserText = buildElement(‘p’, { classes: [‘tt-ticket-teaser’], textContent: item.teaser }); const ctaText = buildElement(‘p’, { classes: [‘tt-cta-text’], textContent: “Keep reading below to learn more about your ride!” }); ticket.appendChild(railroadName); ticket.appendChild(teaserText); ticket.appendChild(ctaText); const backButton = buildElement(‘button’, { classes: [‘tt-secondary-btn’], textContent: “Or, Choose a Different Vibe” }); backButton.onclick = () => { state.view = ‘selection’; state.selectedIndex = null; render(); }; view.appendChild(ticket); view.appendChild(backButton); } card.appendChild(view); mainContainer.appendChild(card); }; render(); }); ]]>

Based on the scenic railways travelers were raving about last year, here are 5 U.S. train rides that offer some of the best fall views for 2025.

Conway Scenic Railroad, New Hampshire

The Angle: Classic New England Beauty

If you want the quintessential New England fall experience, this is it. While there are many foliage trains in the region, travelers in 2024 consistently gushed that the Mountaineer route on the Conway Scenic Railroad is one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the country. Winding through the heart of the White Mountains and the dramatic Crawford Notch, this trip offers cliffside views, historic trestles, and a sea of vibrant red and orange maple trees.

• The Experience: This is a longer, more immersive trip, offering a dining car and a true feeling of golden-era train travel.
• Best Time To Go: The first two weeks of October are typically peak season for this part of New Hampshire.

️ Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Ohio

The Angle: A National Park by Rail

There’s a reason this Ohio favorite remains on the list: it’s one of the only scenic railways that runs directly through a U.S. National Park. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad gives you a front-row seat to the deep forests and rolling hills of the park as they explode into fiery shades of red, orange, and purple. It’s an incredibly accessible way to experience a national park’s fall beauty.

• The Experience: Look for themed rides like the “Ales on Rails” beer-tasting excursions for a fun, adults-only trip.
• Best Time To Go: Mid-to-late October is the sweet spot for peak color in this region.

️ Cass Scenic Railroad, West Virginia

The Angle: Authentic Appalachian Adventure

For a truly unique and historic experience, head to the mountains of West Virginia. The Cass Scenic Railroad is not a typical tourist train; it’s an authentic, historic logging railroad that uses powerful steam locomotives to chug its way up a mountain. The journey through the rugged Appalachian wilderness is spectacular, culminating in a panoramic view from Bald Knob, the third-highest point in the state.

• The Experience: This is a loud, powerful, and authentic steam train ride that feels like stepping back in time. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking.
• Best Time To Go: The first three weeks of October offer the best chance for vibrant colors.

️ Verde Canyon Railroad, Arizona

The Angle: Surprising Desert Beauty

A fall foliage trip in the Arizona desert? Absolutely! This is our “underrated gem” pick that travelers raved about last year for being so unexpected. The Verde Canyon Railroad follows the Verde River through a stunning red rock canyon. In the fall, the cottonwood and sycamore trees that line the river turn a brilliant, shocking yellow, creating an incredible contrast against the red cliffs and blue sky.

• The Experience: Book a seat in an open-air viewing car to get the best, unobstructed photos of the canyon and the vibrant ribbon of gold below.
• Best Time To Go: Late October through the first two weeks of November.

️ Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado

The Angle: The Rocky Mountain Epic

This is a true bucket-list journey. The historic Durango & Silverton steam train winds its way through the remote wilderness of the San Juan National Forest, carving through canyons alongside the rushing Animas River. In the fall, the route is lined with millions of golden aspen trees, creating a world-class spectacle of color. It’s an unforgettable, epic journey that consistently ranks as one of the best train rides in the world.

• The Experience: This is an all-day adventure. The train climbs nearly 3,000 feet on its way to the historic mining town of Silverton.
• Best Time To Go: The last two weeks of September are prime time for the “aspen gold” rush.

So this fall, trade the highway traffic for a window seat and let someone else do the driving for a change. It’s a perfect way to experience the magic of the season without the stress. Happy Fall Travels!

The Travel Off Path Advantage: Your Travel Toolkit

Subscribe To Our Latest Posts

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

Източник за тази статия

Наши спонсори са:

Български трактори на добри цени при изключително качество