10 Best Scenic Train Trips for Seeing Fall Foliage

Autumn transforms landscapes into a vivid tapestry of reds, golds, and oranges, making it the perfect season for scenic journeys.

From river valleys and mountain passes to charming small towns and national parks, the season’s colorful foliage can be admired from unique vantage points that blend natural beauty with historic charm, offering an unforgettable way to experience fall.

The Greenbrier Express

Rolling along a 1902 rail line, this journey showcases West Virginia’s mountains, rivers, and forests ablaze with autumn colors. Travelers glide past maples, spruces, and birches before pausing in Durbin, where cozy shops and a café invite exploration.

The five-and-a-half-hour round trip blends history, scenery, and small-town charm.

Amtrak Missouri River Runner

Running between St. Louis and Kansas City, this route reveals Missouri’s rolling countryside and river views. Along the way, riders can step off in Hermann, a riverside town known for wineries, distilleries, and historic farms.

Highlights include tastings at the 1847 Stone Hill Winery and tours of Hermann Farm’s rare Shire horses.

The Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer’s “Rockies to the Red Rocks” route carries passengers from Denver to Moab with an overnight in Glenwood Springs.

Daytime-only travel means uninterrupted views of vibrant fall foliage, dramatic canyons, and mountain valleys, with highlights including a crossing of the Continental Divide in peak autumn splendor.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway winds 13 miles from Georgia into Tennessee, following the Toccoa River through forests glowing with autumn color.

Riders can choose open-air or enclosed cars, then either return quickly or pause to explore the twin border towns of McCaysville and Copperhill before heading back.