Canyon Spirit: A Spectacular Rail Journey from Denver to Salt Lake City

Welcome Aboard

We were ready for the incredible Canyon Spirit journey from Denver to Salt Lake City via Moab  and what a way to experience this spectacular part of the USA!

The adventure began in Denver, with travel documents conveniently collected the day before departure, making boarding the following morning an absolute breeze. Even better, Canyon Spirit took care of the luggage along the way.

No daily suitcase wrangling or wondering where the bags needed to be, just arrive, settle in and enjoy the journey. Now that’s travelling in style!

Once onboard, the comfortable seating and huge panoramic windows made it easy to sit back and watch the scenery unfold. The views seemed to get better around every corner, but a favourite spot was definitely the outdoor viewing platform between the carriages.

With fresh air, uninterrupted views and endless photo opportunities, it was the perfect place to take it all in , there were a few moments when even the camera needed to be put away just to enjoy the scenery.

Excellent views from onboard

The vast contrast of travelling through the Colorado Rockies then into the vast flat desert what breathtaking.

The absolute WOW moment was travelling from Glenwood Springs towards Moab and through Ruby Canyon. Towering canyon walls, incredible colours and rugged landscapes made this stretch truly spectacular. Watching it all unfold from the train offered a completely different perspective and was easily one of the highlights of the entire journey.

Of course, spectacular scenery is even better when accompanied by great food and a glass of wine! The onboard meals were delicious, with a fantastic selection of local beers, wines and spirits to enjoy along the way. Sitting comfortably with a drink in hand while Ruby Canyon rolled past the windows is a moment that will forever stay with me.

Simple and breathtaking

The overnight stays added another level of comfort to the experience.

Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs offered enormous suites and was conveniently located only a few minutes’ walk from the train departure point. In Moab, the Holiday Inn Express was wonderfully comfortable and the perfect place to relax after another memorable day of travelling.

What really stood out was just how effortless Canyon Spirit made the entire experience.

The ground staff were fantastic, friendly, professional and always ready to help.

From seamless boarding to luggage handling and everything in between, the little details were taken care of, leaving more time to simply enjoy the journey.

Our Moab Adventures tour of Arches National Park was truly one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. From beginning to end, the afternoon was absolutely unforgettable and unlike anything I had ever seen before.

We were picked up directly from the train at Thompson Springs, which made everything so easy and convenient. From there, we headed towards Moab and the spectacular Arches National Park.

As soon as we entered the park, I was amazed by the scenery. The enormous red rock formations, dramatic cliffs, natural arches and vast desert landscapes were simply breathtaking. One of my favourite parts was walking through the canyons and getting up close to the incredible rock formations. Being able to walk amongst the towering rocks gave us a completely different perspective and really showed us just how enormous and spectacular they are. Everywhere we looked there was another amazing view and another photo opportunity.

I loved being able to sit back and enjoy the experience while also having plenty of opportunities to get out, explore and experience this extraordinary landscape on foot.

After an amazing day exploring, we were taken directly to our hotel, arriving at around 8pm. It was a long and exciting day, but worth every minute. I absolutely loved this tour and would highly recommend it. Arches National Park was unlike anything I have ever experienced before.

Canyon Spirit isn’t simply about travelling from Denver to Salt Lake City via Moab, the journey itself is very much the destination. From the moment you settle into your seat, the scenery begins to unfold outside the window, with dramatic canyons, rugged mountains, winding rivers and vast landscapes that remind you just how spectacular this part of the American West really is.

Ruby Canyon may have been the showstopper, with its towering red rock walls and incredible colours, but there were so many memorable moments along the way. One of the joys of travelling by train is having the time to actually appreciate the landscape rather than rushing through it. You can sit back, watch the scenery change, enjoy the commentary and simply take it all in.

Of course, the experience is about much more than the views. The wonderful service onboard, beautifully prepared meals and relaxed atmosphere all add to the sense that this is something special. And there’s certainly something rather lovely about enjoying a delicious meal , perhaps accompanied by a glass of wine or two while some of North America’s most spectacular scenery passes by your window.

By the time you arrive in Salt Lake City, you realise that Canyon Spirit hasn’t just transported you from one destination to another. The train journey has become one of the highlights of the trip in its own right a wonderfully relaxing and scenic experience that will be very hard to forget.

Written by Chelsea Small following her adventure onboard the Canyon Spirit.