10 best train routes to ride in the fall

Fall is one of the best times to explore the United States by train. Routes across the country showcase vibrant fall foliage from New England forests to the golden aspens in the Rocky Mountains. It’s the perfect season to slow down, take in the stunning scenery, and enjoy the nostalgic charm of rail travel.

Whether you’re taking a short scenic ride or a cross-country journey, here are 10 of the best train trips to take this fall.

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Conway Mountaineer

The Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire is one of New England’s top fall foliage experiences in early October. Book a trip on the Mountaineer route for travel through Crawford Notch, a dramatic mountain pass in the White Mountains. You’ll have views of the Saco River, colorful valleys and steep cliffs. To get there, you can fly or take Amtrak to Portland, Maine and rent a car to reach the charming town of North Conway. You can explore local restaurants, shops and nearby hiking trails before or after the train ride.

Downeaster

For views of Maine’s iconic autumn scenery, book a trip on Amtrak’s Downeaster route in mid to late October. Trains travel multiple times per day between Boston’s North Station and Brunswick, Maine, making day trips doable. Consider spending time in Brunswick (walkable college town surrounded by forests and rivers), Freeport (near Wolfe’s Neck Woods and Bradbury Mountain State Park) or Portland (waterfront fall color with many things to see and do).

Vermonter

Vermont is a stunning place to see the fall foliage and the Vermonter Amtrak route can take you there. You can board the train in Washington D.C. and at stations in Maryland, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Note that you’ll need to be on a southbound train that departs from Vermont to enjoy the scenery during daylight hours.

We recommend a long-weekend trip so you can hike, bike and enjoy other activities in Vermont before returning home. Brattleboro, which is on the Connecticut River, is a great option as you can walk to Airbnbs, a hotel, hiking trails, restaurants and other things to do from the Amtrak station. Rental cars are also an option with Enterprise (pickup service available). For the best fall foliage, plan your trip during the last two weeks in September (in high elevations) or in the first half of October.

Ethan Allen Express

Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express route also travels through Vermont, making it another top choice for a fall train trip. Trains travel between New York City and Burlington, and you’ll need to travel southbound from Vermont to see the state’s beautiful foliage. The segment between Burlington and Rutland has particularly dramatic views, with colorful tree-covered slopes, tranquil lakes, and glimpses of the Green Mountains in the distance. Burlington is a great place to start or end the trip, especially if you need access to an airport.

Empire Service

Hudson River Valley in Fall — *Photo by Free-Photos from Pixabay (Hudson River)*

The Hudson River Valley in New York State is another top spot to view fall foliage in the United States. For a scenic ride along the river, book tickets on one of several Amtrak routes, including the Empire Service. Day trips are easy since there are multiple trains to choose from each day. A popular trip is to travel between New York City and Albany (about 2.5 hours one way) or to Hudson, NY, a walkable town just over two hours from NYC. For river views, sit on the left side of the train when heading north and on the right side when traveling south toward Manhattan.

Adirondack

Amtrak’s Adirondack route is one of the most scenic train trips on the East Coast. Trains primarily travel in Upstate New York, following the Hudson River and hugging the shores of Lake Champlain. In October there’s the added bonus of the brilliant fall foliage and the option to visit wonderful autumn destinations including Montreal, Saratoga Springs and the Adirondack Mountains (the Fort Edward Amtrak Station is near Lake George and also Enterprise, which offers pickup service with a reserved car rental).

California Zephyr

Colorado Rocky Mountains in the fall — *Photo courtesy Pxhere*

For less traditional fall foliage scenery, plan a trip on Amtrak’s epic California Zephyr route. Trains travel through the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada where you’ll see bright displays of yellow and gold leaves in mid-September through early October. Start or end the trip in Denver for the best scenery; short trip options include Denver to Salt Lake City (15 hours) and Denver to Glenwood Springs (6 hours). In both cases, you’ll need to stay overnight in those cities after getting off the train.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Like the California Zephyr, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has views of golden aspens and the Rocky Mountains, but is a day excursion and doesn’t require an overnight stay. Vintage steam trains wind through high mountain passes, next to the steep Toltec Gorge, over tall trestles and through tunnels (64 miles if you travel the entire route). You can board this National Historic Landmark in three towns near the border of New Mexico and Colorado. The closest cities with airports are Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Cardinal

New River fall foliage — *Image by David Frampton from Pixabay (New River Gorge)*

Running three times a week between New York City and Chicago, Amtrak’s Cardinal route travels through the rolling hills of Virginia and the picturesque Appalachian Mountains. The highlight of the trip is the journey through New River Gorge in West Virginia where steep river bluffs are covered with colorful trees in the fall. For the most daylight in the mountains, travel eastbound (including from Chicago). If you want to visit the New River Gorge National Park during your trip, book your ticket to Charleston, West Virginia and rent a car there.

Nantahala Gorge Excursion

The Nantahala Gorge train excursion is a can’t-miss fall foliage experience in North Carolina. Trains depart from Bryson City and wind alongside the Nantahala River, offering panoramic views of misty mountains, cascading streams, and rustic trestle bridges. You’ll have an hour at the Nantahala Outdoor Center to relax by the river, purchase food or alcohol, or go on a short hike. For a truly immersive experience, be sure to reserve seats in the open-air gondola cars. If needed, the closest airports are in Knoxville and Asheville, and consider visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more fall foliage scenery while in the area.