The state of Washington has tons of breathtaking nature sights and history to explore and one of the most underrated ways to do that is by rail which is why in this article I’m going to be covering the best scenic train rides in Washington for you to check out.
Here are the best scenic train rides in Washington:
- Chehalis Centralia Railroad
- Chelatchie Prairie Railroad
- Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad
- Northwest Railway Museum
- Yakima Valley Trolleys
Though there’s only 5 main ones, I want to give you a detailed description of each and help you understand what to expect from each one and more.
Chehalis Centralia Railroad:
For the first train ride on this list, the Chehalis Centralia Railroad offers scenic train rides that typically last about 1-2 hours, providing a glimpse into Washington’s rich railroading heritage and the natural beauty of the Chehalis Valley.
Ticket prices and specific offerings, such as dinner trains or special seasonal events, can vary from $30 up to $200 and even more. Along the ride, passengers can enjoy views of the countryside, with the chance to see local wildlife (elk, bears, foxes and more) as well as historical landmarks.
Chelatchie Prairie Railroad:
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad will provide you with amazing views of Southwest Washington. On this train ride which typically also takes 1-2 hours to complete, passengers are taken through the beautiful countryside, dense forests, and past historical sites.
One of the most coolest parts of the ride is when you’ll cross a 330-foot tunnel. There’s also a famous stop at Moulton Station to view the incredible Yacolt Falls. The ticket prices for this ride vary around $40 per person.
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad:
The Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad is located in Elba Washington and has you explore sights around the famous Mount Rainer National Park (and mountain). The trips on this ride vary in duration but are typically around 2 hours as well. On this trip, passengers will see beautiful dense forests, awesome mountain views, and historical logging equipment, with special events throughout the year.
Northwest Railway Museum:
The Northwest Railway Museum offers scenic train rides that explore the natural beauty and history of the Snoqualmie Valley. The rides on this train also typically last around 2 hours and start from the historic Snoqualmie Depot. Along the way, passengers witness breathtaking views, including Snoqualmie Falls, and learn about the region’s rail history.
Ticket prices for this ride range around $30 and up but there are also seasonal and themed events throughout the year during which prices can be much higher.
Yakima Valley Trolleys:
The Yakima Valley Trolleys is very different than most of the other scenic train rides above as it offers more of a unique historical experience rather than a classic nature ride. Rides on the Yakima Valley Trolleys typically last around 1 hour.
Although there aren’t as many amazing nature sights on this ride as with the other, passengers are still treated to awesome sights such as the views of Yakima’s urban and rural landscapes, including historical sites and agricultural fields. So if you’re more of a historical train ride kind of person, this may be the ideal one for you to check out.
Ticket prices and the exact sights seen on the trip can vary depending on the specific trolley route chosen and any special events being hosted but generally speaking you are looking at around $20 per person/ticket.
Best times to go:
Normally I’d always tell people to go during the fall and that is honestly still a good option but considering how cloudy/rainy the weather usually is in Washington throughout most of the year, you’re better off going during the summer months for all the above rides and in this case, it’s between June through July. Those months typically have less rain/clouds and you’ll be able to see much more and further out on the ride.
Other tips:
Out of all the train rides above, the one I’d recommend prioritizing to visit first is the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad. This is because of 2 reasons:
- It offers the most variety of train cars/events you can partake in so you have way more choices and more fun in the process.
- It’s located near one of the most popular west coast National Parks in general and because there’s more of a combination of things to do there.
Not only do you get to experience a great train ride here, but you can also then visit the national park and enjoy a day or more of exploration there. This is obviously more so for people who enjoy nature sights than those who just want to ride a train and enjoy the views but it just gives you more to do after.