With The us’s 250th anniversary proper across the nook, I will’t suppose of a higher time to revel in a luxurious educate trip in the course of the Southwest. The title Rocky Mountaineer is synonymous with luxurious educate commute in Canada, and Canyon Spirit is now without equal luxurious educate shuttle in the course of the American Southwest.
The us will have a good time 250 years of American independence in July 2026. The Southwest performed an important function in our nation’s building. As well as, trains had an enormous affect at the agreement of the Southwest, so a holiday exploring this a part of america by way of educate can be an effective way to commemorate the anniversary. To most sensible it off, Colorado can be celebrating 150 years of statehood.
You could consider a couple of years in the past once I spent a few days touring from Denver to Utah Nationwide Parks on Rocky Mountaineer. That used to be the start of the Canyon Spirit revel in.
Whilst there, my husband and I took a street shuttle via Arches Nationwide Park, because it used to be a bucket record merchandise for either one of us. We had this type of amusing time exploring Moab.
As a result of this shuttle is all concerning the Southwest, Rocky Mountaineer concept it made sense to provide this educate a reputation becoming for the adventure. You’ll nonetheless get the posh, attentiveness, and improbable foods you’d revel in on Rocky Mountaineer, however the perspectives and sluggish commute vibes are all Canyon Spirit.
Canyon Spirit Educate Direction
The Canyon Spirit educate travels between Salt Lake Town and Denver or Moab and Denver, relying at the bundle. Choose from two to 3 days of abnormal landscapes.
Two Day Package deal
Their two-day bundle runs between Moab and Denver, with an in a single day prevent at a resort in Glenwood Springs in between. This additionally will give you the chance to look the fantastic Nationwide Parks in Moab, like Arches and Canyonlands, and time to discover Denver.
3-day bundle
The 3-day bundle travels between Salt Lake Town and Denver, with two nights at inns in between, together with an evening in Glenwood Springs and an evening in Moab. With this direction, you’ve 3 days at the educate, and time to discover Salt Lake Town, Moab, Glenwood Springs, and Denver.
As well as, you’ll be able to upload days earlier than or after the educate shuttle to permit extra time to discover. Take a look at all of the other itinerary choices for this all-new holiday choice, reserving now for 2026, the yr of The us’s 250th birthday party.
Spending the Day on Canyon Spirit Educate
There’s such a lot to do at the educate. This isn’t about transportation, however about taking part in the revel in of this final scenic direction.
Meals on Canyon Spirit
The gourmand foods and complimentary drinks on Canyon Spirit are served at your seat whilst gazing the pretty surroundings of The us’s Southwest. And we’re now not speaking about your conventional foods. Check out breakfast. Mimosas had been introduced, as smartly. In fact, I stated sure, please.
The Canyon Spirit menu is curated by way of their Government Chef, Kaelhub Cudmore, whose background is in luxurious inns and cruise strains. The meals is encouraged by way of the surroundings you’ll be viewing at the educate, so that you’ll be tasting the ones native flavors.
Chef Kaelhub seeks out native providers that the corporate can enhance as companions. The cakes, for example, are made by way of a small store in Denver. It’s one girl who does an ideal task developing forte cakes. Chef Kaelhub approached her to offer Canyon Spirit with cakes. As she had fond recollections of educate rides together with her circle of relatives when she used to be younger, she used to be excited to spouse with Canyon Spirit.
The one manner partnerships like this are discovered is by way of spending time within the locations the educate visits, which is a part of what Chef Kaelhub does. He’s eaten numerous foods alongside the adventure so he may just be informed extra concerning the native tradition and flavors.
The menu has a number of alternatives for each and every meal, and it’s arduous to select. One in all my favourite foods at the educate used to be the braised red meat tacos with pickled cactus. That used to be a primary for me and confidently now not the remaining! It used to be fabulous paired with an area beer. Native wines and spirits also are served onboard.
I’m a large salmon fan, and this used to be a scrumptious meal, as smartly, paired with a Viognier from Grand Valley, Colorado. Dessert alternatives had been served after lunch, too. You are going to now not move hungry in this shuttle!
The Bar Automobile
Talking of spirits, the bar automotive is the very best position to head when it’s time to stretch your legs and get a unique view. This automotive is coated with relaxed seats, with a bar at one finish the place you’ll be able to get a forte cocktail or your selection of drinks, together with signature mocktails.
The playlist appeared to be made for the perspectives, with songs from The us, the Eagles, and extra of my non-public favorites. It actually provides to the laid-back vibe of the educate. At the inaugural adventure, they introduced a cocktail magnificence to the media on board. It used to be this type of amusing revel in. I am hoping they provide it to visitors subsequent yr!
The Perspectives
The perspectives at the educate via the ones glass-dome home windows are simply impressive. You’ll see the herbal great thing about the prime peaks of the Rocky Mountains, speeding rivers, and lovely canyons, all out of your comfy seats. We handed folks fly fishing, swimming, and teams waving as we rolled by way of. Some cities gave the impression of ghost cities, and our hosts had many tales concerning the spaces we handed via.
Your onboard hosts will inform tales alongside the way in which and indicate flora and fauna, like bald eagles, black bears, bighorn sheep, or elk. We discovered the tale of the 3 Sisters, the historical past of the formation of the sandstone cliffs, or even heard tales about how Butch Cassidy knew the canyons higher than those that had been chasing him. One of the crucial attractions we noticed:
- Mt. Garfield
- Burns Canyon
- Ruby Canyon
- Colorado River
- Moffat Tunnel
Make sure to spend a while at the outside viewing platform. That is where with the easiest perspectives to get your pictures of the lovely herbal panorama.
Your In a single day Keep Alongside the Means
Canyon Spirit solely travels all the way through sunlight hours, so that you received’t have to fret about lacking any of the ones impressive perspectives. No want to concern about reserving your resort room, Canyon Spirit looks after it or even transfers your baggage in your room. Imagine this a enjoyable commute revel in.
All routes at the educate prevent in Glenwood Springs and lead to Denver, however the 3-day direction starts in Salt Lake Town and forestalls in Arches Nationwide Park. You’ll additionally take the shuttle within the different course, beginning in Denver. You select which rail direction works right for you.
Moab
Moab, Utah, is a small barren region the town with a large persona! By means of day, you’ll be able to discover a few essentially the most gorgeous Nationwide Parks on the planet. That is the most efficient position to look the ones sandstone arches.
The primary time we visited the world, we spent the day between Arches Nationwide Park, Canyonlands Nationwide Park, and Useless Horse State Park. The 3 are shut in combination, so it’s simple to look all of them in in the future. If that is your jam, you’ll need to start in Moab so you’ve various time to discover.
Within the night time, you’ll be able to seek advice from some of the many eating places in Moab. After dinner, do some buying groceries within the lovely boutiques and read the artwork galleries alongside the primary strip.
Glenwood Springs
Stunning Glenwood Springs is a scenic mountain the town, identified for his or her scorching springs. Town is definitely walkable with a plethora of stores and eating places. Glenwood Scorching Springs Hotel is fabulous, boasting its personal Scorching Springs, certainly one of 3 primary scorching springs within the the town.
You’ll use Glenwood Scorching Springs with an afternoon cross should you’re now not staying on the lodge. The cross lets you go away and re-enter, so you’ll be able to start and finish your day there. Yampah Mineral Baths, an adults-only house open after 5 p.m., may be incorporated.
As your ultimate vacation spot would be the Mile Top Town, take into accounts spending a few days exploring or going to a live performance at Pink Rocks Amphitheater. There are such a large amount of causes to seek advice from Denver.
What to Convey
Your baggage can be delivered in your room, so carry a small day bag that may have compatibility beneath the seat, as there is not any overhead garage. For your day bag, pack medicines, chargers, a digital camera (or your smartphone), a sweater or gentle jacket, sun shades, a hat, a water bottle, a ebook, and anything you’d love to have with you at the adventure.
It’s strongly advisable that you just put on flat, comfy footwear with a excellent grip. See the Canyon Spirit web page for extra useful ideas.
I’ve to confess, I used to be just a little unhappy when the educate pulled into the station in Denver. It have been such an unforgettable adventure and I hated to look it finish. A shuttle on Canyon Spirit via The us’s Southwest actually is a bucket record holiday. Browse the itineraries and let me know you probably have questions. I’ll simply be over right here scrolling via all my gorgeous pictures from the shuttle!
Often Requested Questions
The Canyon Spirit will run April via November. Normally, I’d say spring and fall are the most efficient choices, however I used to be at the educate in July, and the elements used to be heat however delightful. I don’t suppose there’s a dangerous time to revel in this shuttle.
The educate does decelerate in spaces which are in particular scenic or historical, but it surely does now not prevent alongside the direction. The typical pace of the educate is 35 miles in line with hour.
Regardless that children are allowed to take this shuttle, I for my part don’t suppose it’s the most efficient holiday choice for small children. There’s no cut price for youngsters, and it’s inspired to unplug and benefit from the surroundings.
