I live in Denver, and I’ve made the trip between Denver and Moab a handful of times — maybe two or three over the years. When Canyon Spirit launched its new Rockies to Red Rocks route in and out of Denver, I was curious to experience it from a completely different perspective, especially given the renewed interest in train travel and slower, more intentional ways of moving through the world.

Train travel has been having a moment, particularly for travelers who want the journey to be part of the experience rather than something to endure. It also opens access to landscapes that can be intimidating or exhausting to reach by car. Driving in the mountains isn’t for everyone, and even for those who enjoy it, there’s something appealing about letting someone else handle the logistics.

For this trip, my mom and I started in Moab and ended in Denver, giving us time to explore southern Utah independently before boarding the train for the journey back to Colorado.

The questions I had going in

Before stepping onboard, I had some honest questions. Would I get bored spending full days on a train? Would the scenery feel repetitive after having driven parts of this route before? Was this experience mostly geared toward older travelers? And would it feel overly structured or touristy?

I tend to like a balance between thoughtful planning and flexibility, so I was curious how this would feel in practice.

From a professional standpoint, I also wanted to experience Canyon Spirit the way my clients would — paying attention not just to the views, but to pacing, service, food, and logistics. Those details often determine whether a trip feels effortless or frustrating.

What the train experience was really like

What surprised me most was how dynamic the days felt.

You’re not sitting still for hours on end. There’s a natural rhythm to the experience that keeps things engaging without ever feeling rushed. Mornings begin with coffee and breakfast, followed by time to watch the scenery shift as the train moves through desert canyons, along rivers, and into the mountains. Onboard hosts point out wildlife, geological features, and landmarks as you pass them — just enough context to deepen the experience without overwhelming it.

There’s time to move around, step onto the open-air viewing platform, chat with fellow travelers, or simply sit quietly and watch the landscape change. Lunch is served, and later in the afternoon the lounge becomes a gathering place for drinks, games, and conversation. Dinner rounds out the day as the light softens and the scenery takes on an entirely different mood.

The glass-dome design makes a noticeable difference. In places like Glenwood Canyon, your view extends upward rather than stopping at the top of a window, making the canyon walls feel even more immense. Standing outside on the viewing platform, breathing in mountain air as the Colorado River runs alongside the tracks, was one of those moments where everything slows down.

Along the way, we passed small desert towns, ski communities tucked into mountain valleys, river-carved canyons, and stretches of landscape that are nearly impossible to access by car without hiking or off-roading.

Seamless transitions (and why they matter)

One of the things Canyon Spirit does exceptionally well is transitions. Luggage is handled entirely for you and delivered separately so it’s waiting in your hotel room when you arrive. Meal times are thoughtfully spaced, instructions are clear, and once you’re in their care, there’s very little you need to think about.

I especially appreciated the overnight hotel stay in Glenwood Springs rather than sleeping on the train. After a full day, it was nice to check into a real hotel, explore town briefly, and rest before boarding again the next morning for a completely different segment of the journey.

There are a few realities worth knowing. Passenger rail in the U.S. runs on tracks owned by freight companies, so delays are possible if freight traffic takes priority. We didn’t experience this ourselves, but it’s part of the landscape.

Moab also has limited infrastructure. The airport is remote, cell service is spotty, and rental cars and taxis are extremely limited unless booked in advance. I watched a family arrive expecting to sort transportation on the fly, only to realize there were no options available.

Because my mom and I booked our time in Moab independently rather than through Canyon Spirit, our departure day involved a few extra steps — early luggage drop-off, shuttles, and some waiting time. Nothing went wrong, but it reinforced how interconnected logistics are in small towns like this.

Moab, seen with fresh eyes

Moab remains one of the most striking landscapes in the U.S. Red rock formations stretch endlessly, the desert glows at sunrise and sunset, and the contrast between heat, stone, and river feels almost surreal.

Arches National Park is unforgettable. Hiking to Delicate Arch is crowded and undeniably popular, but it earns its reputation. I’ve done it twice now, once at sunrise and once at sunset, and both times were genuinely moving. Canyonlands offered a quieter sense of scale — vast, layered, and expansive.

We also spent time off-roading on nearby BLM land, including one of my favorite spots near the Fruit Bowl. Being that far from everything, with nothing but open desert in every direction, is deeply grounding.

After early morning hikes, we loved retreating to Moab Springs Ranch, a lush oasis near a creek just outside town. Resting in hammocks during the heat of the day before heading back out for sunset became one of my favorite rhythms of the trip.

The moments that lingered

Some of the most meaningful moments weren’t the headline experiences. Watching canyon walls rise through the glass dome. Stepping outside for fresh air as the train followed the river. Sitting with my mom in the lounge, playing cards and sharing a drink while the scenery rolled by. Taking in a landscape so different from where we grew up in Michigan.

Those quiet moments are the ones I keep returning to.

What stood out — and what’s worth knowing

The ease of the experience exceeded my expectations. The onboard staff were warm and attentive, and the send-offs in each town — locals waving, staff taking photos with guests before boarding — felt genuine rather than staged.

The food onboard was excellent and thoughtfully prepared, and it was a relief not to think about where or when to eat for several days. I also appreciated how much I learned along the way, even after years of living in Colorado and visiting Moab multiple times.

There are a few things where expectations matter. Timed entry reservations are required for Arches during peak seasons. Cell service and Wi-Fi are limited for much of the journey, which can be freeing but is worth knowing ahead of time. And while the historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs has a strong sense of place and a great location, it felt a bit less luxe than expected and slightly eerie after dark.

Photography from inside the train can also be tricky — many of my best photos came from the outdoor viewing platform.

Who this trip is best suited for

This journey is ideal for travelers who value thoughtful planning, white-glove service, and the ability to enjoy spectacular landscapes without managing every detail themselves. It’s a great fit for nature lovers, people curious about train travel, travelers who aren’t comfortable driving in the mountains, and multigenerational families — including those with mobility considerations.

It’s also a wonderful way to experience both Moab and Denver differently. Denver itself is a destination draw, and ending the journey there felt like a natural transition from desert stillness into a vibrant mountain city with culture, food, and easy onward connections.

A final reflection

This trip reminded me that logistics are never just background details. They shape how present you can be and how deeply you experience a place. When done well, they fade away and allow the landscape, the people you’re with, and the quiet moments to take center stage.

It also reinforced why nature-focused travel matters so much to me — travel that makes extraordinary places more accessible while encouraging people to move through them thoughtfully. Those moments of awe, especially the quiet ones, are grounding, generous, and worth protecting.