A Train Ride You’ll Never Forget
- UNPLUG. Magazine
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Experience the beauty, history, and adventure of the Royal Gorge from the best seat in the Rockies
There’s something timeless about train travel—the rhythmic hum of the tracks, the slow unfolding of landscapes, the feeling that the journey itself matters just as much as the destination. But aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, that feeling transforms into something unforgettable.
This isn’t just a scenic ride. It’s a front-row seat to one of the most dramatic natural wonders in the American West: the Royal Gorge. Carved deep into the earth by the powerful Arkansas River, the gorge slices through the Rockies with towering granite walls that rise more than 1,000 feet overhead. From the moment the train departs, you realize—this is no ordinary journey.
The experience begins in Cañon City, a town steeped in frontier history and surrounded by rugged beauty. As the train eases out of the station, the landscape shifts almost instantly. Open plains give way to steep canyon walls, and the air seems to change—cooler, quieter, filled with anticipation.
Inside the train, large panoramic windows frame every angle, turning each seat into the best one on board. For those seeking an even closer connection, open-air cars invite passengers to feel the breeze and hear the river rushing below. The deeper the train ventures into the canyon, the more surreal the surroundings become. Sunlight dances across the rock faces, shifting from warm amber to deep rust tones, while shadows carve out shapes that seem to move with the passing hours.
It’s one of those places that makes you stop and just look. I came here expecting a nice view, but what I got was something that will stay with me forever~longtime hiker Sam Bennett
One of the most breathtaking moments arrives as the train passes beneath the iconic Royal Gorge Bridge. Suspended high above the canyon floor, the bridge appears almost weightless from below—a striking silhouette against the sky. It’s a powerful reminder of both the scale of the gorge and the human determination that made this route possible.
Because the railroad itself has a story to tell. Built in the late 1800s during a fierce rivalry between competing rail companies, the line through the Royal Gorge was once the site of a literal battle for control. Today, those same tracks carry travelers not for conquest, but for connection—to history, to nature, and to a slower pace of travel that feels increasingly rare.
And that slower pace is part of the magic. Unlike road trips or flights, there’s no rush here. The train moves deliberately, allowing each curve of the canyon to reveal itself fully. Guests sip wine, enjoy chef-prepared meals, and linger over conversations, all while the scenery shifts outside their window like a living painting.
It’s the kind of experience where you lose track of time. You’re not checking your phone—you’re watching the cliffs, the river, the sky. It pulls you into the moment~traveler Mark Ellis
Each season brings a new personality to the gorge. Summer offers vibrant greens and the lively rush of the river, while autumn paints the landscape in soft golds and copper hues. In winter, a quiet stillness settles over the canyon, with snow tracing the edges of rock formations and creating a stark, peaceful beauty. No matter when you visit, the sense of awe remains constant.
Wildlife sightings add another layer of excitement. It’s not uncommon to spot bighorn sheep perched effortlessly along the cliffs or hawks gliding through the canyon air. These unscripted moments remind passengers that this landscape is as alive as it is ancient.
Yet what truly sets this journey apart isn’t just the scenery—it’s the feeling it leaves behind. There’s a quiet transformation that happens somewhere between departure and return. The noise of everyday life fades, replaced by the steady rhythm of the rails and the vastness of the canyon.
For travelers seeking more than just a destination, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers something deeper: a chance to reconnect—with nature, with history, and with the simple joy of the journey itself.
Because some trips are memorable. Others are meaningful. And then there are those rare experiences—like this one—that you carry with you long after the train has left the tracks behind.
For more, visit the Royal Gorge Route
