From Denver to Moab on the Rocky Mountaineer

The capital of Colorado is the departure point of the Rockies to the Red Rocks adventure. This Rocky Mountaineer experience is similar to the one you can take in Canada in terms of transportation, but the backdrop here makes it a truly unique journey that is about as American as you can get. Rather than jumping straight onto a carriage, and to acclimatise to the elevation in the destination known as The Mile High City, you’ll want to spend a few days in Denver itself before jumping on the tracks. Although Union Station isn’t the official start point of the Rocky Mountaineer, it is a real slice of American railroad history that you will want to see while here.

The Rocky Mountaineer is best known for its Canadian routes. The picturesque mountains, forests and tunnels north of the border are an ideal backdrop as you sit back in premium comfort enjoying fine cuisine for two days. You don’t sleep on the carriages and instead spend a night somewhere in the middle, and the same is true on the trip from Denver to Moab.

Having spent a few days in Denver I was eventually ready to board the train early in the morning. The aim is to leave as early as possible and get to your destination while the sun is still up. This is even more important on this route as the midway point is a quirky little town you will want to spend some time in exploring.

Its not worth dwelling on this, however, as the time on the train is a sumptuous experience best enjoyed without distractions. The team onboard take care of all the arrangements anyway which includes picking you up from your hotel starting point, ferrying any excess luggage to every stop and offering tips on the way. The knowledgable team will also act as guides as you leave the bustling city of Denver behind and onwards to the rolling fields beyond Colorado. Although I didn’t have enough time to head to The Stanley Hotel – which was the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel The Shining – as it about an hour away from the centre of town, I did pass through Fairplay which is where animated series South Park originates.

The clear glass-domed windows offer outstanding views of the scenery which genuinely appear like paintings at times. The bristling sun, parched earth and distinctive rock formations are vivid, with a comfy seats proving an excellent vantage point. Food and drinks are served as you travel, and this particular route also has a separate drinks lounge which is an excellent place to stretch your legs and mingle with other passengers. You get a real mix of people travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer, from train enthusiasts who want to tick off every major rail journey from their lists to more casual folk who are happy to just take in the experience. I really enjoy the array of characters on these trains as you get international visitors and domestic hobbyists along for the ride together.

You’ll notice a slight shift in terrain as you travel throughout the day. This portion of the trip doesn’t leave Colorado but you will get a sense of the rustic west creeping in as you approach Glenwood Springs, the tiny town where you’ll spend the night.

I like to do as much research as possible before taking on any trip – I mean it is sort of my job – but Glenwood Springs might be one of the best surprises I’ve ever had on any visit to America. We arrived relatively early in the afternoon and once we checked into our rooms we had the chance to explore. Historically the town was a stop for early gold rush settlers but even before that Glenwood Springs was best known as a place of rejuvenation and physical wellbeing. Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Kevin Costner and Patrick Swayze have filmed here but I was more fascinated by the old cowboy stories locals shared. Before the sun settled I took off on a hiking trail to find the final resting place of Jon Henry ‘Doc’ Holiday, a companion of Wyatt Earp.

Be warned, the hike is fairly strenuous, so if you just want to relax and catch a bite to eat you’re better off staying in town. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and shops to keep you occupied. Leave some time in your schedule to check out Glenwood Hot Springs, part of the largest outdoor mineral hot springs pool in the world. I’m really glad this route includes a significant stopover as it would be a shame to miss the many attractions here. Recent renovations have really smartened up this attraction and it feels like a place you could spend hours in.

Following an evening trip to the hot springs and a restful night at Hotel Maxwell Anderson it was time to board the train for our final leg of the journey. Its worth noting that everything is within walking distance in Glenwood Springs, so you simply have to cross the road to get to the station. A fresh cup of coffee is waiting for you as you board and hot breakfasts are served soon after departure.

The final destination is certainly better known than our previous stop, but in many ways the variety of options in Moab can be overwhelming. Utah itself is full of outdoor activities, famous set jetting locations and natural wonders. Luckily I was spending a week here before heading home, so all I had to do for the next few hours was sit back and countdown the miles to the state line.

You could drive from Denver to Moab, and probably do it in a shorter time frame than the train, but there’s something magical about arriving in the middle of the Utah deserts by rail. As you can imagine, there are spectacular views to enjoy and having the advantage of a smooth carriage taking you across the country means you can take incredible pictures whenever you want. The staff on the train know all the points of interests and are also excellent at preempting any wildlife appearances. Someone I was travelling with was convinced they spotted a bear on this trip and I think I might have seen one too.

Pulling into the final stop in Moab takes you back in time to a bygone era. The train stops a few miles from the main strip, and you are taken to your hotel to check in for the last time. Another great thing about adding the slow travel experience to you itinerary is that it feels like the adventure never stops. The two days on the train were spectacular and yet I also had a thrill-seeking few days ahead of me in Utah too.

There are famous National Parks like Zion, Arches and Canyonlands across Utah and we got the perfect introduction by taking a sunset ride to Hell’s Revenge on 4×4 Hummer vehicles. This is a popular activity and if you’re feeling really brave you can also hire a smaller ATV and join a self-drive group. There are dinosaur tracks, breathtaking views and vast canyons on the way with the sunset illuminating the red rocks.

If you’re looking for a great American adventure and want to experience unspoiled wilderness that take you back millennia, hop on a train and head to the red rocks of Utah.

The two day rail trip from Denver to Moab (via Glenwood Springs) is available from £1,477 for 2025. For more information and additional routes please visit Rocky Mountaineer.