Even if you’re not really into trains, riding a scenic railroad is a lot of fun, especially if it really is, well, scenic.
Here are the 10 Best Scenic Train Rides, as voted by readers of USA Today (in 2025). Once you see the photos and read the descriptions, you’ll want to ride these.
And if you really love trains, this book on tourist trains is for you.
After you vote in the poll below, leave us a comment and tell us about your favorite tourist train or scenic railroad that you’ve ever been on. We’re looking forward to reading your comments. Thanks!
Oh, and make sure you read Cheri’s story about the gorgeous Sky Railway in Santa Fe, New Mexico. And if you happen to be on the Eastern side of the United States, Gail’s round-up of the best Eastern railroad destinations is for you. Oh, and we almost forgot, if you’re in West Virginia and you love trains, you’ll love this campground.
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RVDT2676
Yes but once you’ve done them they are done. It’s nothing if go back and do again. And I get nothing out of a 2-5 mile train ride which a lot of them are. It’s just a tourist trap at that point.
After riding the rails in the Alps, these don’t compare.
Yes, but we haven’t been near one in ages. Wish there were some near the areas we travel in.
We’ve ridden the Durango Silverton and the Cumbres Toltec and loved every minute of both of them. Both are great, but if I had to choose only one, I would go back to the Durango Silverton. Both are day long trips. We’ve also done some smaller ones here and there, but these two are the most scenic. And, they’re steam powered.
DS got their tail chewed over emitting embers from the engine’s stack starting fires along the way. I believe they switched to fuel oil after we rode on it back in 2017. Many movies were filmed along the track and in and around Silverton.
We have ridden the Algoma Central Scenic train in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario 3 times . All day ride and very nice. Also many others.
The 100 mile (200 mile round trip) Agawa Canyon Tour Train out of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario (just across the bridge from Sault Ste. Marie Michigan – home of the Soo Locks between Lakes Superior and Huron) is a phenomenal ride north toward Hudson Bay (but stops a LONG way before you get that far). The destination, Agawa Canyon has 3 magnificent waterfalls. The train goes 25mph, so this is an all day trip. You WILL be taking some wonderful photos or video. And yes, Canada’s trackage is still measured in miles and not kilometers.
My wife and I rode the Heber Creeper and its seats were really close together and facing each other. That meant we all had to sit mostly knees between each others knees. Was a horrible experience. We are not interested in that situation ever again.
Hadn’t heard about the Heber Creeper in years. Is it still operating?
Did it twice in my lifetime. First when I was a young boy and mother took me on the coastal train from LA to San Diego, to go to the San Diego zoo.. It was a great trip.
Next was the Napa train to nowhere. Expensive and a waste of money.
We love them and seek them out where ever we are! You often get to see and learn about areas that your RV or car can’t go. There is also a lot of history in some of those old trains!
We normally look for one in the area. We’ve done quite few. Some are less than an hour, but we’ve also done a few dinner and lunch rides that are normally a couple of hours.
The New Tygart Flyer in Elkins, WV is a 4 hour lunch ride and the Cass Mountain railway is a 22 mile ride that takes 4 1/2 hours. It actually zig-zags up the mountain. The engine is not your typical design. It is a totally gear driven.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! Generally, yes, very much so. Have only done it 3 or 4 times. Really liked the one in Western Maryland (Cumberland, https://wmsr.com/) and in Chattanooga (https://www.tvrail.com/). Also really disliked the one in Branson (https://bransontrain.com). Have a great day and safe travels!