Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary on Canyon Spirit US Rocky Mountain Train
With America’s 250th anniversary right around the corner, I can’t think of a better time to experience a luxury train ride through the Southwest. The name Rocky Mountaineer is synonymous with luxury train travel in Canada, and Canyon Spirit is now the ultimate luxury train trip through the American Southwest.
America will celebrate 250 years of American independence in July 2026. The Southwest played a vital role in our country’s development. In addition, trains had a huge impact on the settlement of the Southwest, so a vacation exploring this part of the United States by train would be a great way to commemorate the anniversary. To top it off, Colorado will be celebrating 150 years of statehood.
You may remember a few years ago when I spent a couple of days traveling from Denver to Utah National Parks on Rocky Mountaineer. That was the beginning of the Canyon Spirit experience.
While there, my husband and I took a road trip through Arches National Park, as it was a bucket list item for both of us. We had such a fun time exploring Moab.
Because this trip is all about the Southwest, Rocky Mountaineer thought it made sense to give this train a name fitting for the journey. You’ll still get the luxury, attentiveness, and fantastic meals you’d experience on Rocky Mountaineer, but the views and slow travel vibes are all Canyon Spirit.
Table of Contents
Canyon Spirit Train Route
The Canyon Spirit train travels between Salt Lake City and Denver or Moab and Denver, depending on the package. Choose between two to three days of extraordinary landscapes.
Two Day Package
Their two-day package runs between Moab and Denver, with an overnight stop at a hotel in Glenwood Springs in between. This also gives you the opportunity to see the incredible National Parks in Moab, like Arches and Canyonlands, and time to explore Denver.
Three-day package
The three-day package travels between Salt Lake City and Denver, with two nights at hotels in between, including a night in Glenwood Springs and a night in Moab. With this route, you have three days on the train, and time to explore Salt Lake City, Moab, Glenwood Springs, and Denver.
In addition, you can add days before or after the train trip to allow more time to explore. Check out all the different itinerary options for this all-new vacation option, booking now for 2026, the year of America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Spending the Day on Canyon Spirit Train
There is so much to do on the train. This isn’t about transportation, but about enjoying the experience of this ultimate scenic route.
Food on Canyon Spirit
The gourmet meals and complimentary beverages on Canyon Spirit are served at your seat while watching the beautiful scenery of America’s Southwest. And we’re not talking about your typical meals. Take a look at breakfast. Mimosas were offered, as well. Of course, I said yes, please.
The Canyon Spirit menu is curated by their Executive Chef, Kaelhub Cudmore, whose background is in luxury hotels and cruise lines. The food is inspired by the scenery you’ll be viewing on the train, so you’ll be tasting those local flavors.
Chef Kaelhub seeks out local suppliers that the company can support as partners. The desserts, for instance, are made by a small shop in Denver. It’s one woman who does an amazing job creating specialty desserts. Chef Kaelhub approached her to supply Canyon Spirit with desserts. As she had fond memories of train rides with her family when she was young, she was excited to partner with Canyon Spirit.
The only way partnerships like this are found is by spending time in the destinations the train visits, which is part of what Chef Kaelhub does. He’s eaten a lot of meals along the journey so he could learn more about the local culture and flavors.
The menu has several choices for each meal, and it’s hard to choose. One of my favorite meals on the train was the braised pork tacos with pickled cactus. That was a first for me and hopefully not the last! It was fabulous paired with a local beer. Local wines and spirits are also served onboard.
I’m a big salmon fan, and this was a delicious meal, as well, paired with a Viognier from Grand Valley, Colorado. Dessert choices were served after lunch, too. You will not go hungry on this trip!
The Bar Car
Speaking of spirits, the bar car is the perfect place to go when it’s time to stretch your legs and get a different view. This car is lined with comfy seats, with a bar at one end where you can get a specialty cocktail or your choice of beverages, including signature mocktails.
The playlist seemed to be made for the views, with songs from America, the Eagles, and more of my personal favorites. It really adds to the laid-back vibe of the train. On the inaugural journey, they offered a cocktail class to the media on board. It was such a fun experience. I hope they offer it to guests next year!
The Views
The views on the train through those glass-dome windows are just spectacular. You’ll see the natural beauty of the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains, rushing rivers, and gorgeous canyons, all from your comfortable seats. We passed people fly fishing, swimming, and groups waving as we rolled by. Some towns looked like ghost towns, and our hosts had many stories about the areas we passed through.
Your onboard hosts will tell stories along the way and point out wildlife, like bald eagles, black bears, bighorn sheep, or elk. We learned the story of the Three Sisters, the history of the formation of the sandstone cliffs, and even heard stories about how Butch Cassidy knew the canyons better than those who were chasing him. Some of the sights we saw:
- Mt. Garfield
- Burns Canyon
- Ruby Canyon
- Colorado River
- Moffat Tunnel
Be sure to spend some time on the outdoor viewing platform. This is the place with the very best views to get your photos of the stunning natural landscape.
Your Overnight Stay Along the Way
Canyon Spirit only travels during daylight hours, so you won’t have to worry about missing any of those spectacular views. No need to worry about booking your hotel room, Canyon Spirit takes care of it and even transfers your luggage to your room. Consider this a stress-free travel experience.
All routes on the train stop in Glenwood Springs and end in Denver, but the 3-day route begins in Salt Lake City and stops in Arches National Park. You can also take the trip in the other direction, starting in Denver. You choose which rail route works best for you.
Moab
Moab, Utah, is a small desert town with a big personality! By day, you can explore a couple of the most beautiful National Parks in the world. This is the best place to see those sandstone arches.
The first time we visited the area, we spent the day between Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse State Park. The three are close together, so it’s easy to see them all in one day. If this is your jam, you’ll want to begin in Moab so you have plenty of time to explore.
In the evening, you can visit one of the many restaurants in Moab. After dinner, do a little shopping in the cute boutiques and browse the art galleries along the main strip.
Glenwood Springs
Beautiful Glenwood Springs is a scenic mountain town, known for their hot springs. The town is easily walkable with a plethora of shops and restaurants. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is fabulous, boasting its own Hot Springs, one of three main hot springs in the town.
You can use Glenwood Hot Springs with a day pass if you’re not staying at the resort. The pass allows you to leave and re-enter, so you can begin and end your day there. Yampah Mineral Baths, an adults-only area open after 5 p.m., is also included.
As your final destination will be the Mile High City, think about spending a couple of days exploring or going to a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. There are so many reasons to visit Denver.
What to Bring
Your luggage will be delivered to your room, so bring a small day bag that can fit under the seat, as there is no overhead storage. In your day bag, pack medications, chargers, a camera (or your smartphone), a sweater or light jacket, sunglasses, a hat, a water bottle, a book, and anything else you’d like to have with you on the journey.
It’s strongly recommended that you wear flat, comfortable shoes with a good grip. See the Canyon Spirit website for more helpful suggestions.
I have to admit, I was a little sad when the train pulled into the station in Denver. It had been such an unforgettable journey and I hated to see it end. A trip on Canyon Spirit through America’s Southwest really is a bucket list vacation. Browse the itineraries and let me know if you have questions. I’ll just be over here scrolling through all my beautiful photos from the trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Canyon Spirit will run April through November. Typically, I’d say spring and fall are the best options, but I was on the train in July, and the weather was warm but pleasant. I don’t think there is a bad time to experience this trip.
The train does slow down in areas that are particularly scenic or historic, but it does not stop along the route. The average speed of the train is 35 miles per hour.
Though kids are allowed to take this trip, I personally don’t think it’s the best vacation option for young children. There is no discount for children, and it’s encouraged to unplug and enjoy the scenery.
