My Canyon Spirit Experience: Seeing the American Southwest in a Completely Different Way
I’ve experienced a lot of different ways to travel, but Canyon Spirit was truly unlike anything I had done before.
I had the opportunity to experience it this past May, starting my journey in Denver, and I can confidently say this is so much more than simply taking a train from one destination to another. The train itself is part of the vacation—and honestly, one of the best parts.
Canyon Spirit travels through some of the most incredible scenery in Colorado and Utah, taking you through areas you simply wouldn’t see the same way from a car or airplane.
You’re traveling during daylight specifically so you don’t miss the views, and that makes such a difference. From the moment we left Denver, it felt like the scenery just kept getting better.
Starting in Denver
My journey began in Denver and headed west through Colorado toward Glenwood Springs. One of my favorite things about traveling by train was being able to actually sit back and enjoy everything around me. There was no worrying about driving, watching directions, finding parking or figuring out where to stop next. You can simply relax, grab a drink, enjoy your meal and watch the scenery change outside the windows. And these aren’t your average train windows.
Canyon Spirit uses panoramic glass-dome coaches designed to give you incredible views throughout the journey. You can move between your seat, the lounge areas and outdoor viewing spaces, which was one of my favorite ways to experience the trip.
There’s something completely different about standing outside on the train with the mountains, rivers and canyons surrounding you.
The Journey Through Colorado
Traveling from Denver toward Glenwood Springs gives you a front-row seat to Colorado.
The route passes through the Rocky Mountains and areas that aren’t always easily accessible by road. Instead of driving past the scenery, you feel like you’re actually traveling through it.
You’ll make your way through places like the Continental Divide, the Moffat Tunnel and Glenwood Canyon, with stretches of the journey following the Colorado River.
And because Canyon Spirit travels during the day, you aren’t going to sleep and waking up in another city wondering what you missed overnight. The entire point is to see the journey.
That was probably one of the biggest things I took away from this trip: you’re not rushing to get to the next destination.
The travel in between is the experience.
An Overnight in Glenwood Springs
Another thing that makes Canyon Spirit different from many traditional train trips is that you don’t sleep onboard.
Instead, the train arrives in Glenwood Springs, where you spend the night in a hotel before continuing your journey the next morning.
While we were there, we decided to go to Iron Mountain Hot Springs, and it was AMAZING. After a full day on the train, soaking in the hot springs surrounded by the Colorado scenery was such a perfect way to end the day. I would absolutely recommend adding this if you have the time.
The next morning before getting back on the train, we had heard how good the donuts were at Sweet Coloradough and had to stop in. If you are a donut person, you HAVE to go. Their donuts were so good and such a fun little stop before continuing our journey.
Then it was back onboard and off toward a completely different landscape.
From the Mountains to the Red Rocks
As you continue west toward Moab, the landscape begins to completely change.
You go from the mountains and greenery of Colorado to the red rock formations and desert landscapes Utah is known for. The contrast is incredible, and there were so many moments when I found myself just staring out the window because every turn seemed to bring something new.
Once we arrived in Moab, you have the option to spend the evening exploring town, but we decided to do something a little different.
We went on the Sound and Light Show on the Colorado River, which was such a fun experience. You cruise along the river surrounded by the canyon walls while listening to stories about the area, and once it gets dark, lights are projected onto the cliffs around you. It was such a unique way to experience Moab at night and something I’m really glad we did.
The next morning, we stopped at Arches National Park, and breathtaking is honestly the best way to describe it.
Seeing the massive red rock formations in person was incredible, and it was the perfect way to experience even more of Moab before continuing on. If you’re already traveling all the way to this part of Utah, I definitely recommend making time for Arches National Park. It is absolutely worth it.
The Service Is Truly Top-Notch
One thing that really stood out to me was the service. The Canyon Spirit crew truly takes care of you from start to finish, and they are amazing.
They are there to greet you, help you off the train, answer questions and make sure you feel taken care of throughout the entire journey. One of my favorite little touches was that the crew would actually wave us off at each stop. It seems like such a small thing, but it added such a personal feel to the experience.
And when it was time to get back on, they were right there again to welcome us, help us aboard and make everything feel seamless.
That level of service really made the experience feel special and personal, and it is one of the things I think sets Canyon Spirit apart.
And Yes… The Food Is Part of the Experience
I can’t talk about Canyon Spirit without talking about the food.
Meals are served onboard throughout the journey and are inspired by the region you’re traveling through, with locally sourced ingredients incorporated into the menus. Drinks are included as well, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options along with regional beers and wines.
It makes the experience feel so much more elevated than what most people imagine when they hear the words “train trip.”
You can be enjoying breakfast or lunch while looking out at mountains, rivers and red rock canyons. Not a bad view for lunch!
Signature vs. Premier
Canyon Spirit offers different levels of service depending on how you want to experience the journey.
The Signature Experience includes your comfortable assigned seating, meals and beverages onboard, overnight hotel accommodations between rail days, luggage handling, transfers and the onboard hosts who share information and stories about the areas you’re traveling through.
For travelers who want to take it up another level, there is also a Premier Experience, which adds access to exclusive lounge and dining spaces, premium beverages, additional food offerings and more viewing space.
You Can Continue All the Way to Salt Lake City
While the classic Canyon Spirit experience is known for connecting Denver and Moab, the journey can now continue farther west to Salt Lake City, creating a three-day rail experience through Colorado and Utah.
That means you can experience a route connecting:
Denver → Glenwood Springs → Moab → Salt Lake City
Or travel it in the opposite direction.
And there are several ways to build a larger vacation around the rail journey too. You could spend additional time in Denver or continue exploring Utah before or after the train. That flexibility is one reason I love this trip for clients.
Would I Recommend Canyon Spirit?
Absolutely.
Experiencing Canyon Spirit firsthand this past May gave me such a better understanding of why people love this style of travel.
The scenery was incredible, the onboard experience was wonderful and I loved that the journey never felt rushed. You’re able to enjoy the destination while also enjoying every mile it takes to get there.
If the American Southwest has been on your travel list—or you’re simply looking for a vacation that feels completely different from the typical resort, cruise or road trip—Canyon Spirit is definitely one I would recommend.
Ready to Experience Canyon Spirit?
Canyon Spirit can be an incredible standalone vacation or part of a larger journey through Colorado and Utah. The route, service level, hotel stays and experiences before and after the train can all be tailored to the kind of trip you want.
If you’re ready to start planning, submit your trip inquiry! I'll reach out to schedule either an in person meeting, phone call or zoom meeting to connect! We can help you choose the right route, compare Signature and Premier, and build a complete Southwest vacation around the rail journey.
Be a Good Tripper.
Comments