The following is a list of the best scenic train rides in North America and their rankings are based on both popularity and high rated reviews. Most of them are in the US, while others can be found in Canada.
The 10 best scenic train rides in North America:
- Grand Canyon Railway (Arizona)
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (Tennessee)
- Oregon Coast scenic railroad (Oregon)
- California Zephyr (Illinois-California)
- White Pass & Yukon Route (Alaska)
- Conway scenic railroad (New Hampshire)
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Colorado)
- Cape Cod Central Railroad (Massachussets)
- Rocky Mountaineer Railroad (British Columbia)
- Skunk Train (California)
Grand Canyon Railway:
This is an incredible scenic train ride that traverses through the Kaibab National Forest area which neighbors by the Grand Canyon. It also goes into it too. This vintage train ride offers a unique perspective of America’s iconic natural wonder. This is a ride that’s over 60 miles long and takes 4+ hours to finish. The Grand Canyon Railway is one of the best scenic train rides in Arizona and the overall southwest region of the states.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an incredible place to check out and it too has a nearby scenic railroad you can check out. In this case it’s called the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and there are 2 different trips you can take there. It starts from Bryson City and takes passengers along the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers, through the Nantahala Gorge, and offers an immersive experience of the Smoky Mountains’ natural beauty. The ride is a little over 1 hour long and goes in a loop.
Oregon Coast scenic railroad:
The Oregon Coast scenic railroad is one of the shorest scenic railroads on the list but it has been included because it’s one of the best on the west coast and has you exploring the stunning Oregon Coast. It’s only about 1 hour long and great for families. It goes through 2 towns in Oregon and you will be able to see the beautiful coastline too.
California Zephyr:
This is one of the longest rides on the list. It’s about 1,000+ miles and has you journey through the heart of America from Chicago to Emeryville, California and even crossing the Rockies and experiencing the vast beauty of the Gold Rush country. There is an overwhelming amount of diverse areas you will cross on this ride, making it one of the top choices on the list. The California Zephyr is truly a must try train ride!
White Pass And Yukon Route:
This ride has you seeing a bunch of amazing views from both the Canadian and American borders. It’s a little over 40 miles long for the scenic train ride itself (there are connecting trains that go there) and passes through glacial rivers and stunning waterfalls in Alaska.
Conway scenic railroad:
The Conway scenic railroad is easily the most famous railroad in the North East United States and specifically one of the top fall train rides in New England. It’s over 5 hours long and goes through the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Besides going there in the fall you can do it year round too, but fall in New England should never be missed, and taking what is considered the best scenic train ride in New Hampshire then will be an unforgettable trip!
Durango And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad:
This is considered one of the best scenic train rides in Colorado. It’s a steam locomotive ride through the gorges and mountains of Colorado’s San Juan National Forest, offering breathtaking views of the natural landscape. I have a detailed post on the Durango And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad you can also check out for more details.
Cape Cod Central Railroad:
While Cape Cod Central Railroad is the top choice for fall rides, the Cape Cod Central Railroad is great for exploring the eastern coast of the US. On this ride which is over 40 miles, you’ll discover places like the canal, cranberry bogs, dunes, and woodlands, on a journey through Massachusetts’ renowned vacation destination.
Rocky Mountaineer Railroad:
There are 4 different ways to explore this scenic train ride and most of them are located in Canada, specifically Toronto, Vancouver and Jasper and the 4th is located in Colorado. All of them are worth taking and the reason why is because the first 3 have you explore the Canadian Rockies of Canada while the 4th goes through Colorado and the red rocks of the South West. Each ride on the Rocky Mountaineer Railroad can be 1-4 days long depending on which option you take and how far you want to go.
Skunk Train:
The Skunk Train is in my opinion one of the top choices for scenic train rides in California. It’s located near Fort Bragg and has you pass through beautiful California coastline, mixed in with a lot of Redwoods along the way. There’s also a bunch of other fun attractions in the area that are great for families and explorers alike. While it’s short, it’s still in my opinion one of the best scenic train rides in California as a whole.
All of these incredible scenic train rides in North America are rated at a 4.5 out of 5 average for good reasons and depending on where you’re looking to visit and for how long, you now have a list that you can’t go wrong with no matter which option you choose!