13 Fall Foliage Train Rides In America That Capture Autumn’s Magic
Autumn transforms America into a painter’s canvas, splashing vibrant reds, oranges, and golds across forests and mountains.
What better way to witness this spectacular show than from the comfort of a scenic train?
These incredible rail journeys offer front-row seats to nature’s most colorful performance, winding through valleys, over bridges, and past stunning landscapes that’ll make your camera work overtime.
1. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (Georgia)
Rolling through the Chattahoochee National Forest, this Georgian gem treats passengers to a four-hour round trip bursting with color.
Your journey follows the Toccoa River, where brilliant maples and oaks create a kaleidoscope effect against the water’s reflection.
October typically brings peak foliage, transforming the 26-mile route into something straight out of a postcard.
Kids love spotting wildlife while adults can’t stop snapping photos of covered bridges and mountain vistas.
2. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (Pennsylvania)
Carved deep into Pennsylvania’s landscape, this gorge becomes a fiery wonderland each October.
Passengers ride vintage coaches through 16 miles of wilderness where the Lehigh River rushes alongside towering cliffs painted in autumn hues.
Historians appreciate the coal mining heritage while nature lovers feast their eyes on the dramatic scenery.
The two-hour journey offers multiple photo opportunities, especially when sunlight filters through golden leaves onto the water below.
3. Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad (Pennsylvania)
Where America’s oil industry was born, this railway now showcases nature’s liquid gold—autumn leaves in every shade imaginable.
The 27-mile journey through Oil Creek Valley combines industrial history with breathtaking natural beauty as forests explode in seasonal color.
Narrators share fascinating petroleum history while you glide past reconstructed oil derricks surrounded by crimson and amber foliage.
Late September through mid-October delivers the most spectacular displays along this historic route.
4. New Hope Railroad (Pennsylvania)
Bucks County’s charm multiplies tenfold when autumn arrives, and this railroad captures every bit of it.
Steam locomotives chug along the Delaware River, offering passengers intimate views of forests ablaze with seasonal color and quaint riverside villages.
Choose between shorter excursions or longer journeys, all featuring commentary about local history and natural wonders.
The combination of vintage trains, historic stations, and spectacular foliage makes this a photographer’s paradise during October weekends.
5. Adirondack Railroad (New York)
Six million acres of wilderness surround this spectacular railway, making it impossible to take a bad photo during autumn.
Routes range from short excursions to full-day adventures, all showcasing the Adirondacks’ legendary fall display of maples, birches, and aspens.
Watch for wildlife including deer and eagles while traveling alongside rivers and pristine lakes.
September and October transform this region into America’s most Instagrammed fall destination, and the train offers the best viewing platform available.
6. Vermonter (Vermont)
Amtrak’s daily service between Washington DC and St. Albans becomes a mobile art gallery each autumn.
The Vermont portion steals the show, gliding past covered bridges, white-steepled churches, and farms surrounded by forests wearing their finest seasonal wardrobe.
Book a window seat on the eastern side for optimal foliage viewing through the Green Mountains.
Late September through mid-October offers the most vibrant displays, with maple trees leading the colorful parade across hillsides and valleys.
7. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Colorado)
Coal smoke and autumn leaves create an intoxicating combination on this Wild West adventure.
Steam locomotives built in the 1920s climb through San Juan National Forest, where golden aspens contrast dramatically against red rock cliffs and evergreen slopes.
The 45-mile journey reaches elevations where early snows dust mountain peaks while valleys below still blaze with color.
Late September typically delivers the most spectacular aspen displays along this National Historic Landmark railway.
8. Georgetown Loop Railroad (Colorado)
Engineering marvel meets natural wonder on this gravity-defying mountain railway.
Built in the 1880s, the loop climbs through Clear Creek Canyon where aspens create golden tunnels and mining history adds character to the stunning autumn landscape.
The highlight? A breathtaking crossing over Devil’s Gate High Bridge, offering panoramic views of colorful hillsides and rushing water below.
September weekends draw crowds eager to experience this compact but spectacular fall foliage journey through Colorado’s mining country.
9. Leadville Railroad (Colorado)
America’s highest standard-gauge railroad climbs to breathtaking elevations where thin air and thick forests of golden aspens create unforgettable scenery.
Starting from historic Leadville, trains wind through alpine meadows and mountain valleys painted in autumn’s finest palette.
Narrators share tales of silver mining booms while passengers absorb views of Mount Elbert and Mount Massive.
Mid-to-late September delivers peak color, though early October sometimes adds bonus snowfall for extra visual drama along this high-altitude route.
10. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (Colorado/New Mexico)
Straddling two states and climbing to 10,015 feet, this narrow-gauge railway delivers autumn drama on an epic scale.
Steam locomotives haul passengers through aspen groves that shimmer gold against dramatic mountain peaks and deep valleys carved by ancient geological forces.
The 64-mile journey includes multiple photo stops where the combination of vintage trains, Western landscape, and fall color creates postcard-perfect moments.
Late September offers the most reliable foliage displays along this highest steam railroad in North America.
11. Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (Pennsylvania)
Pennsylvania’s coal region heritage comes alive aboard these vintage trains that wind through valleys ablaze with autumn color.
Multiple routes offer different perspectives on the Lehigh Valley’s spectacular fall display, from riverside runs to mountain climbs through hardwood forests.
Themed excursions include dinner trains and special events, all enhanced by October’s colorful backdrop.
The combination of industrial history, vintage equipment, and natural beauty creates a uniquely Pennsylvania experience that captures both human and natural heritage beautifully.
12. Naugatuck Railroad (Connecticut)
Connecticut’s Naugatuck River Valley becomes a New England autumn showcase aboard this heritage railway.
Vintage coaches follow the river through forests and small towns where church steeples pierce canopies of red and gold leaves.
The 20-mile round trip offers intimate views of classic New England scenery enhanced by October’s colorful transformation.
Special fall foliage trains often include stops at pumpkin patches or cider mills, combining scenic beauty with harvest season traditions that families absolutely love experiencing together.
13. Arcade & Attica Railroad (New York)
Western New York’s agricultural heartland gets the vintage steam treatment on this charming short line.
Coal-fired locomotives pull restored coaches through farmland and woodlots where maples and oaks put on their annual color show throughout October.
The 14-mile round trip feels like stepping back to simpler times when harvest season and autumn foliage marked the year’s rhythm.
Kids wave from the train while farmers wave back, creating wholesome memories framed by brilliant fall colors across this peaceful countryside landscape.
