Private Tour
Ride, Dine and Unwind Aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad!
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 50 minutes
Paper ticket
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is Colorado's top train experience and America's most scenic railway. Join us for an up and back journey through the winding Royal Gorge, along the Arkansas River. Indulge in made-to-order entrees for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and your favorite beverages from our fully stocked bars featuring specialty drinks, beers, and wines from regions worldwide. Visit the open-air car any time, where you can soak in the breathtaking scenery, and feel a closer connection to nature.
In the tradition of railroad dining, unrelated parties may be seated together.
Choose:
Vista Dome: Comfortable booth-style seating with tables and unparalleled views from partially glass-topped dome cars.
Deluxe Class: Elegant seating with table for absolute comfort. Large windows reveal breathtaking views of Colorado’s Royal Gorge.
Coach Class: Features comfortable seating with new butcher-block style cocktail tables, and windows to take in the spectacular views.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Coach and Deluxe Dining Cars are wheelchair accessible. Vista Dome is not wheelchair accessible.
Infants less than 2 years old may sit on laps. Children 2 - 12 require a children's ticket. Note, some journeys only offer one type of ticket for all passengers 2 and older.
Must be able to climb 10 steps without assistance
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Arkansas River
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad travels along side the rushing Arkansas River, where you may catch a glimpse of white water rafters navigating the winding rapids.
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
For a stunning view 1,000 feet below the highest suspension bridge in America, take a ride aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. From here, you'll see this modern marvel during the day while enjoying the ride from the train's open-air car.
What‘s Included
Journey through the Royal Gorge
Includes $10 Preservation Fee
Order from our 403 Grill Menu! All dining, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages are an additional cost and may be ordered while aboard the train.
Order from our 403 Grill Menu! All dining, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages are an additional cost and may be ordered while aboard the train.
Order from our 403 Grill Menu! All dining, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages are an additional cost and may be ordered while aboard the train.
Gratuity is not included.
Options
Oktoberfest! Dome Car
Dome Car: Experience the Royal Gorge from our elevated Dome car in comfortable booth-style seats.
Oktoberfest - Dome Car: German style bratwurst served with sauerkraut and spaetzle, mustard, pickled onion and a pretzel.
Holiday Train - Vista Dome
Holiday Train: Enjoy the season with a special journey aboard our beautifully decorated Holiday Train.
Vista Dome: Relax in style aboard our comfortable dome cars, with an even greater view of Colorado's Royal Gorge!
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Available for purchase: Order your favorites from our 403 Grill and our fully stocked bar throughout your journey!
Thanksgiving Train, Deluxe Car
Deluxe Car: Beautifully appointed traditional four-top dining car.
Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes: Experience Colorado's grandest canyon aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad's Deluxe railcar.
Deluxe Car
Deluxe Car: Comfortable, beautifully appointed dining car with large plate glass windows.
Available for purchase: Enjoy delicious dining and our fully stocked bar throughout your journey. Order from our 403 Grill.
Coach Class
Coach Class: Comfortable seating with new, butcher-block style cocktail tables, and large windows to take in the epic views.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Available for Purchase: Order your favorites from our casual 403 Grill menu, including cocktails, mocktails, wine & beer.
Up and back through the Gorge: We run approximately 12 miles each way through the Royal Gorge, along the winding, rushing Arkansas River.
Vista Dome
Vista Dome: Beautifully appointed, glass-domed car with comfortable booth seating.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Available for purchase: Enjoy delicious dining and our fully stocked bar throughout your journey. Order from our 403 Grill.
Thanksgiving Train, Dome Car
Dome Car: Beautifully appointed dome dining car with banquet seats and dome windows.
Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes: Experience Colorado's grandest canyon aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad's Dome railcar.
Holiday Train - Deluxe
Holiday Train: Enjoy the holiday season aboard our beautifully decorated Deluxe railcar.
Deluxe: Relax into our comfortable deluxe car with large windows for top-notch views.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Available for purchase: Order your favorites from our 403 Grill and fully stocked bar throughout your journey.
Thanksgiving Train, Coach Car
Coach Car: Comfortable high-backed seats facing one another. While no table is available, guests may order food on trays.
Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes: Experience Colorado's grandest canyon aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad's Coach railcar.
Oktoberfest! Deluxe Train
Deluxe Car: Enjoy the spectacular scenery from our beautifully restored Deluxe Dining car. Comfortable restaurant-style seating.
Oktoberfest! Deluxe Car: Authentic German style bratwurst served with sauerkraut and spaetzle, mustard, pickled onion and a pretzel.
Vista Dome
Vista Dome: Experience Colorado's grandest canyon aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad's Vista Dome railcar.
Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
Available for purchase: Enjoy delicious dining and fully stocked bar throughout your journey. Order from the 403 Grill.
Deluxe Car
Deluxe Car: Beautifully appointed dining car with comfortable seating.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Available for purchase: Enjoy delicious dining and our fully stocked bar throughout your journey. Order from our 403 Grill.
Mother's Day Weekend!
Mother's Day Dome Brunch: Treat mom this Mother’s Day with a multi-course experience. Includes glass of sparkling wine, salad, entree, and dessert.
Duration: 2 hours
Mother's Day Dome Brunch: A three-course experience. Choose vegetarian, salmon, chicken marsala or beef tenderloin & crab cake.
Vista Dome
Reviews
246 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A must do if you're near Colorado Springs
A2851FZjasmineb,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I finally rode the Royal Gorge train after months of planning and it was absolutely worth it. We booked the Dome seating class which has larger windows for viewing. Keep in mind that the windows are not one of those floor to ceiling type of things like the train ride in Canada. But the Dome class offers the best seat in the house. The train doesn't turn around so the view you have going will be the same view you have coming back. They assign your seat when you pick up your tickets so hopefully you are seated on the left side of the train. If I'm not mistaken, there are 2 open carts where you can walk out to but at the time of my ride, they closed off a section of the train so there was only 1 open cart. It can get crowded, as a lot of people are wanting to be outside to enjoy the epic views. Plan it well and be courteous as you wiggle your way towards the rail. The train is very comfortable, clean and equipped with air conditioning. They do have a bathroom and an open bar (hooray!). At the Dome seating, each table sits 4 people so if you're a party of 2, you may end up having to sit with other people. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful and very eager to take photos for you (mines did). TIP: when you are seated, the waitstaff will begin by taking your food order (if you're hungry). I suggest placing your order at the beginning before the train ride. They have a small galley and food orders can take a bit. The food was delicious and not overly priced as I imagined. No outside food/drinks are allowed but it's good to have an option if you're hungry on the ride. At the station, they have an amazing store with souvenirs and misc products. It is also where you would check in and pick up your tickets. I suggest coming in early because it does get crowded the closer you get to the departure time. There is also a cafe on site so you can grab coffee or a snack while you wait. Overall, the ride was amazing. You get to see parts of the gorge that wouldn't be accessible any other way. I truly had an enjoyable time and I highly suggest people to look into it if you happen to be in the Colorado Springs area. It is about an hour drive from Colorado Springs so plan your driving well.
Nice ride
Kathryn R,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Nice ride down the Royal Gorge while getting food and drink along the Arkansas River. Lovely sunny day!
Disappointed with Vista Dome
Denise H,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Vista Dome was not a full glass dome. It was disappointing not worth the extra money to have to lean over to see up like advertised. I would recommend the ride just not the Vista Dome.
Wonderful train ride, but terrible treatment at the box office
irankaulitz,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00I wrote the review from a wrong account, this is my correct account: I visited on March 6th, 2026. The ambiance and the train were very nice, and everyone was super kind and welcoming. Unfortunately, the only negative part of my experience was at the box office. A young blonde woman with glasses was very rude and even yelled at me in front of my husband. Her behavior was inappropriate and completely ruined the beginning of what should have been a pleasant experience. Thank you
Great experience ruined by rude staff at the box office
Relax01350536320,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The ambiance and the train were very nice, and everyone was super kind and welcoming. Unfortunately, the only negative part of my experience was at the box office. A young blonde woman with glasses was very rude and even yelled at me in front of my husband. Her behavior was inappropriate and completely ruined the beginning of what should have been a pleasant experience.
Great way to see the Royal Gorge.
K2587NGjaynes,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00It was a wonderful experience! The open car is the best. For the price, it would be nice if a drink or snack was included. It was a great compliment to walking the bridge over the gorge.
Mountain pass rail trip
johnkV293MC,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Old-school train ride through beautiful scenery. Leave the station, cut through mountain passes, along rivers, and up to old mining areas ( no stops there.) return trip on same trackage. Food and drink on board, open-air viewing car. Just a great few hours of day trip.
Beautiful ride!
elizabethpG7363JL,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful ride and delicious food.
Great trip
J5751SUdonnas,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing and had the best host in our car - Daniel Lyons! I'd give him 5 out of 5 stars. My husband rode with the engineer and thoroughly enjoyed that.
Beautiful Canyon Train Ride
F3752GDbrendar,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The views were unreal and our server Sandra was very informative and nice! Worth the money for the vista View train! But all of the train cars were really cool! We saw a lot of long horned sheep as well!
Related Experiences
Operated by Royal Gorge Route Railroad