See California & Colorado's Best Fall Foliage On This Scenic Amtrak Train (2024)

Seeing the beautiful fall foliage in the US during the autumn season is the reason why it's considered the most magical time of the year. While scenic fall road trips are a favorite way to take it all in, nothing can beat embarking on one of Amtrak's best fall trips to see the season's splendid colors whizzing by the windows while stopping at lots of charming little towns and iconic cities on the way, each displaying their autumnal leaves.

For those who don't necessarily have the time or the funds to see the entire country's autumn scenery on a coast-to-coast Amtrak excursion, hopping aboard a train that showcases two of the most underrated states for fall foliage is an equal adventure. Typically, the East Coast tends to boast the best fall foliage in America, but two particular states in the West promise epic leaf-peeping opportunities as well: California and Colorado.

The best and most comfortable way to see these states' vibrant leaves this season? Train! More specifically, the Amtrak train that shows off both these states' stunning seasonal colors (and several other states in between) is the California Zephyr route.

See California & Colorado's Best Fall Foliage On Amtrak's California Zephyr

This Amtrak route from Chicago to Emeryville passes through several states, but it shows off California's and Colorado's best fall scenery on the way

Many people have an inclination to hop in the car for a road trip to see the colors in their most beautiful state. However, it's much easier to utilize a service like Amtrak for this, so that you can dedicate your attention to the landscape without needing to worry about safety, road conditions, and concentrating on driving.

For those hoping to see the best fall foliage in California and Colorado combined into one journey, the California Zephyr is easily the ultimate option to do so in comfort.

• The California Zephyr Amtrak route takes 51 hours from start to finish.
• The California Zephyr route starts in Chicago and ends in Emeryville, California (just outside San Francisco).
• Weaving through seven different states, the California Zephyr route provides many opportunities for fall foliage viewing, especially the fall scenery in California and Colorado.

The California Zephyr Offers The Best Stops In California & Colorado For Fall Foliage

This Amtrak route stops in many Colorado and California towns and passes these states' most stunning fall landscapes

Fall at Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

A trip on the California Zephyr will take you through seven different states, beginning in Illinois and ending in California. The route showcases a number of California and Colorado's most scenic sights covered in autumn colors, including

• The Rocky Mountains
• The Sierra Nevada
• Colorado's Gore
• Moffat Tunnel
• Byers and Glenwood Canyons
• Winter Park
• The Truckee River
• Donner Lake
• San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait

There are also many stations in California and Colorado on this route where you can get off and explore their respective towns while soaking up gorgeous fall colors.

One of the most popular stops on the California Zephyr route that is particularly beautiful in the fall is Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Travelers find that the fall colors are often on full display at this stop, and they can spend some time on the hiking trails with the crisp air and the sounds of nature and wildlife behind them.

Along with Glenwood Springs and many more scenic stops and towns on the journey, this Amtrak route gives breathtaking natural landscape backdrops with mountains, native plants, and endless trees bursting with beautiful shades of fall.

You Can Take Your Time On The California Zephyr Route

The journey takes around 51 hours, but you can break it up to make the most of this fall adventure

View of the Glenwood Canopy on the Amtrak California Zephyr

If you are planning to travel via the California Zephyr, it's important to note that you don't need to limit yourself to just doing it all in one go.

If you would rather break up the 51-hour excursion that the California Zephyr entails, you can arrange to get off at one of the many stops and re-board the route on another day or time. When you take this approach, you can further explore some of the areas along the route without having to forego the train journey in its entirety.

Amtrak California Zephyr Costs

Per Amtrak, the estimated costs to travel the entire California Zephyr route are as follows:

Additionally, there are many ways to extend your Amtrak travels, especially when you are trying to stick to a budget. A popular option for many is to take advantage of the USA Rail Pass, which offers the ability to take several different legs for one price.

If you don't want to partake in that much travel, you can also secure lower-cost tickets by booking with Amtrak early to secure cheaper tickets, well before your intended vacation.

If you are looking to set out on a fall foliage-seeking adventure this fall to see Colorado and California's most beautiful landscapes donned in autumn colors, don't skip out on this Amtrak route.

The California Zephyr Amtrak route gives an up-close and personal view of the most beautiful natural sights, towns, cities, and parks in California and California (plus many more states en route) blanketed in autumn foliage. What's more, it's all from the comfort of your seat - no driving necessary!