The Colorado Zephyr Tour

110 Mile Train Ride along the Colorado River

When you’re in Rocky Mountain Empire, there’s an immense amount of outdoor beauty to behold every day of the year. Here’s your chance to experience the majestic grandeur of the Rocky Mountains like never before! Imagine the pristine beauty of riding the rails through four of the most spectacular granite canyons in America, all carved by ceaseless wind and flowing water. This rugged wilderness is the scenic highlight of the daily Amtrak passenger train that features the “Best of the West.” Now your family can enjoy viewing our country’s most popular rail journey from the warmth and comfort of your glass-enclosed rail car, all in a 110-mile rail odyssey.

As part of Amtrak’s California Zephyr that runs daily from Chicago to San Francisco, this rail journey provides a breath-taking combination of gentle riverside views and rugged mountain vistas as it travels through the heart of the Rocky Mountain Canyon Country. Hugging the banks of the Colorado River throughout this westward migration, the Colorado Zephyr is the epitome of modern rail luxury and towering canyon scenery.

"Absolutely great time and beautiful scenery. Talented speaker and knowledgeable historian. Loved every step of the adventure I took with Joel." ---Regina Sutton, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Front Door Service

Your adventure begins with luxury van pick-up service from your front door and then a relaxing drive to Granby, CO starts your day. When weather conditions permit, we drive over Ute Pass, offering a stunning view of the numerous 13,000’ peaks in the fabled Gore Range Mountains! Don’t forget to bring plenty of camera capabilities for this excursion as the outdoor panoramas are not to be missed!

Once we turn east on Hwy. 40, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the mighty Colorado River. These pristine waters carved the magnificent rock formations that await. A few turns later we arrive in the sleepy mountain town of Granby, CO.

All Aboard

Here, your Alpenglow Adventures driver delivers your fresh, hand-crafted lunchtime delights and a complimentary bottle of water (all included with your fare) before boarding the Colorado Zephyr. The courteous Amtrak conductors will then direct you to the glass-domed observation car as you settle in for the ride of your life. The knowing smiles on your fellow passengers signal the visual satisfaction that is a vibrant part of this “steel rail caravan.”

The view out your picture window is unparalleled, with so many incredible vistas that can only be experienced by railroad passengers. The dramatic wilderness of Upper Red and Gore Canyons are devoid of highway pavement, leaving nothing but the sense of raw, unspoiled nature! Eagle-eyed passengers will spot elk, moose and bighorn sheep in the ancient Colorado landscape.

Colorado's Majesty 

River rafters and fly-fishermen know the beauty of the Colorado River as it flows to the west. Make sure to wave “Hello” to them as you travel the same route that many of the early frontier pioneers did over 140 years ago,… rugged folks looking for excitement and adventure in a journey of a lifetime – just like you!

Just when you think the mountains could not get any more inspiring, the Colorado Zephyr enters the mouth of Glenwood Canyon. Regaled as the most photographed stretch of river scenery in the USA, your jaw drops as canyon walls suddenly tower 1,400 feet above you. With Interstate 70 on one side and your railcar hugging the other, Glenwood Canyon demonstrates America’s determination to blend modern transportation and primitive topology into a unique masterpiece for you to enjoy!

Glenwood Springs Adventures

Now, the third part of your adventure begins… fun in the town of Glenwood Springs! We feature three outdoor family attractions for you to choose – the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool or a guided hike to the most beautiful lake in Colorado... Hanging Lake!

At the Glenwood Springs Adventure Park, you can enjoy a guided cave tour, a mile-long alpine slide, a 4,300’ aerial tram ride, plus a sweeping panorama of the Rocky Mountains. USA Today has rated this cave tour among top 10 underground cave adventures in all of America!

Or, perhaps you’d rather take a luxurious soak in the largest outdoor thermally-heated swimming pool in the world! Choose a relaxing swim in the 85ºF Olympic-sized pool or experience the thrill of the “bubble chairs” in the popular 104ºF pool. Either way, you’ll enjoy a dreamlike view of the mountain peaks as the steam rises high into the azure skies above you.

And in the summertime and early autumn, we offer a magnificent opportunity to hike up a one mile trail to the most photogenic lake in the Rocky Mountains! If you are into nature photography or simply want to experience the most rugged, yet dynamic scenery in the Rockies, this is just the ticket! Hanging Lake is nothing short of spectacular and the waterfalls will fill your eyes with amazement.

After the unique fun of the “trails, caves or the waves” in historic Glenwood Springs, the next big adventure is about to begin. The same Alpenglow Adventures van that brought you to the Granby train station is now ready to whisk you back towards home… but only after a 90 minute stopover in the world-famous resort community of Vail, CO! 

Four Star Dining & Downtown Vail 

Choose to have a romantic dinner in any of Vail’s four-star restaurants or enjoy the scintillating shopping opportunities in the “pedestrians only” center of town. Perhaps you’d prefer to enjoy beverages at a slopeside bistro as the sun sets in the west. We’ll provide you with plenty of helpful suggestions to make your Vail layover the perfect crescendo to a day filled with fun!

Relax & Return

It’s just a short, but very scenic van ride over Vail Pass (10,662’ above sea level) to get back to your base in Summit County. But think of the ever-lasting memories that you’ll bring home! The 12 hour Colorado Zephyr Deluxe Tour is hands-down the most varied, complete and enticing full-day railroad tour package in the all of the american west.

Options

Perhaps your tastes or time budget lean more to a trainride-only inclination. Our 8-hour Colorado Zephyr Wilderness Canyon Adventure tour reduces the Deluxe tour to a shorter timeframe by concentrating on the pure essence of railroading. We still provide all the benefits of the full-day tour, without the attractions in Glenwood Springs and Vail. This shorter tour allows you to ride the rails during the day and return to your home base in time for other nighttime attractions! You see the best, ride the greatest and oh…, the stories of adventure that you'll tell your friends! Add the element of safe and courteous Alpenglow Adventures drivers and you’ll get the ultimate Rocky Mountain High! All Aboard!

Tour Prices and Booking Below

Please Note

All prices quoted refer to all public and private customer pick-up locations in Summit County (Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Frisco, Dillon, Keystone and Silverthorne). Groups of four or more will have an automatic 15% driver gratuity added to each total tour charge.  

8hr Colorado Zephyr Canyon Adventure Excursion

Approximately 7.5 to 8 hours from all Summit and Eagle County pick-up locations and return. This train ride-only excursion DOES NOT include activities in Glenwood Springs or Vail.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A RESERVATION DATE

12hr Colorado Zephyr Deluxe Tour

Approximately 11 to 12 hours from all Summit and Eagle County pick-up locations and return. This train ride excursion DOES include activities in Glenwood Springs and Vail.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A RESERVATION DATE