Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

State: New Mexico (and Colorado). Type: heritage narrow-gauge steam railroad running between Chama, NM, and Antonito, CO. Track dates to 1880 (Denver and Rio Grande Railway); the tourist railroad was established in 1971 after both states purchased the line. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012. Route length: 64 miles, reaching 10,015 feet at Cumbres Pass, the highest point on any narrow-gauge railroad in North America.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad operates a genuine 19th-century narrow-gauge steam line between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, using track first laid in 1880 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway to serve the San Juan mining region. When the original railroad's owners sought to abandon the line in the late 1960s, Colorado and New Mexico jointly purchased the surviving 64-mile section in 1970 and began running it as a tourist railroad in 1971, preserving what is now recognized as the longest, highest and most complete narrow-gauge steam railroad in North America. The route climbs to 10,015 feet at Cumbres Pass, crosses the Colorado-New Mexico state line 11 times, and passes over engineering features such as the 137-foot Cascade Trestle. Steam locomotives, coaches and rolling stock still in use date to the railroad's original Denver and Rio Grande Western era, and the line's historic significance was formally recognized with National Historic Landmark status in 2012.

The railroad's two depot towns are Chama, in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, and Antonito, in Conejos County, Colorado, with the route also passing through Archuleta County, Colorado. The Chama depot office is at 500 S Terrace Ave, Chama, NM; the Antonito office is at 5234 B US Hwy 285, Antonito, CO.

The route runs through high-mountain terrain reaching over 10,000 feet at Cumbres Pass, so expect cool mornings even in summer, with afternoon thunderstorms common in the San Juan Mountains during the operating season; nights can be cold at elevation regardless of season, and the line does not operate in winter.

The railroad's regular season runs late May through late October (2026 season dates given as May 23-October 25), so any visit must fall within that window; fall visits are popular for aspen color in the surrounding mountains, though this is a seasonal generalization rather than a specific confirmed peak date.

Construction of the original narrow-gauge line began on February 20, 1880, under the Denver and Rio Grande Railway, reaching Chama by the end of that year as part of a network built to serve Colorado's San Juan mining district. The line was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, not long after Colorado and New Mexico jointly purchased the surviving Antonito-Chama segment in 1970 to save it from abandonment and began operating it as a heritage tourist railroad in 1971. In 2012, the railroad received National Historic Landmark designation in recognition of its engineering and its role in regional development. Today's operation runs steam and diesel locomotives and rotary snowplows that formerly served the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.

The core experience is riding a steam-powered excursion train, either the full 64-mile line between Chama and Antonito or a shorter half-day trip to Cumbres Pass and back; full-day trips include a stop for lunch at Osier station partway along the route. Multiple classes of service are offered, including standard coach and premium parlour-car options, and the train offers wildlife-viewing opportunities (deer, elk, eagles and occasionally bear) along the route through the San Juan Mountains.

Highlights along the route include the 137-foot Cascade Trestle, two tunnels, the Osier station stop where full-line passengers have lunch, and the summit at Cumbres Pass (10,015 feet), the highest point reached by any narrow-gauge railroad in North America. The depot facilities and rail yards at both Chama and Antonito are also of interest to railroad history enthusiasts.

Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, are both reached by car; there is no direct commercial airport in either town, so most visitors drive in from Santa Fe or Albuquerque (New Mexico) or from the Denver/Alamosa area (Colorado). The railroad's two depots serve as the departure points, and one-way riders typically arrange a return shuttle bus, which the railroad offers as an add-on.

The 2026 season runs Tuesday through Sunday from May 23 through October 25, per third-party trip-planning sources; exact daily departure times vary by trip type and should be confirmed directly with the railroad, since the official site's excursions page directs booking and scheduling questions to its reservation system.

Per third-party ticketing aggregators reviewing 2026 fares, the full-line trip (Antonito-Chama) runs about $144 in coach class and $218 in a deluxe/parlour car, while the half-line trip to Osier and back runs about $121 coach/$197 deluxe, plus a roughly 7% Historic Preservation Fee; these figures were not confirmed on the operator's own pricing page during this research and should be verified directly with the railroad or its FareHarbor booking system before publishing.

A full-line one-way or round-trip excursion, including the lunch stop at Osier, generally takes most of a day; the shorter half-day Cumbres Pass trip option is available for visitors with less time.

Chama, New Mexico, offers small-town lodging including motels, inns and vacation rentals suited to overnight stays before or after a train excursion; Antonito, Colorado, has more limited lodging, with the larger town of Alamosa, Colorado, offering additional hotel options for travelers approaching from the Colorado side.

Full-day excursions include a hearty lunch at the Osier station stop as part of the ticket; in town, Chama has a small selection of casual New Mexican and American restaurants and cafes typical of a small mountain railroad town, while Antonito offers more limited dining options nearby.

Chama sits near the edge of the Carson National Forest and the broader northern New Mexico mountain region, while Antonito is close to the San Luis Valley and the Alamosa area in southern Colorado; both towns serve as gateways to further exploration of the Rocky Mountain scenery the railroad passes through.

There is no direct rail or bus link beyond the excursion train itself; visitors reach Chama or Antonito by personal vehicle, generally from Santa Fe/Albuquerque or the Colorado Front Range/Alamosa area respectively, since no major commercial airport serves either town directly.

Because the route runs through remote, high-elevation mountain terrain, dress in layers for cool mornings and possible afternoon storms even in summer; the historic open-platform/gondola cars and moving train mean standard rail-safety precautions (staying seated or holding on while cars are in motion, keeping arms inside) apply throughout the ride.

Warm layers for cool mountain mornings even in summer, sun protection for exposed viewing areas, a camera for the scenic route and trestles, and cash or card for any add-on food or souvenirs not included in your ticket class.

Book well ahead for popular fall-color dates and for the higher-demand parlour/deluxe classes, since seating is limited on the historic equipment. If arranging a one-way trip, plan your return shuttle bus in advance through the railroad, since public transit does not connect the two depot towns. Confirm current-year schedule and pricing directly with the railroad before finalizing travel plans, as the operator's own website directs specific fares to its online booking system rather than listing them on general pages.

For any emergency, dial 911. For reservations and general visitor questions, the railroad can be reached at 888-286-2737 or info@cumbrestoltec.com.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - https://cumbrestoltec.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.