Take This Fall Foliage Train Ride Through Iowa For A One-Of-A-Kind Experience

What better way to view the beautiful autumn leaves as they change color than from the unique vantage point of a train ride? You’ll be able to take in scenic vistas full of rich fall colors as the landscape rolls by your window. The Boone & Scenic Railroad offers plenty of different train excursions through the end of October, including a weekend excursion lasting 2 ¼ hours and covering 22 miles, regular 1 ¾ hour excursions on weekdays, and a Pumpkin Express that’s great for kids.

Facebook/Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum

The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad travels along a former stretch of original Chicago & Northwestern tracks, and it features varied and unique views, from the bird’s-eye vantage point of a high trestle bridge, to rivers, to beautiful rolling farmland.

Flickr/Carl Wycoff

The railroad is based in Boone, Iowa, where there is a museum as well as the operating railroad. Their fleet consists of trains that are pulled by both steam and diesel locomotives. They also have a restored trolley car.

Advertisement

Facebook/Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum

Advertisement

Flickr/Lars Ploug-Sørensen

While there are no specified fall foliage trips, you will be sure to see plenty of beautiful autumn colors if you book an excursion starting in early October. Train trips leave the depot at 225 10th Street in Boone and follow different routes, depending on the train ride you decide to book.

Related Stories

10 Charming Hayrides You'll Want To Take In Iowa This Fall

The Haunted Train Ride Through Iowa That Will Terrify You In The Best Way Possible

The Magical Polar Express Train Ride In Iowa Everyone Should Experience At Least Once

Facebook/Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum

There is a special event that runs on Saturdays from October 8th through the 21st. The Pumpkin Train is a great train ride for families with kids. This excursion is 1 ½ hours to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s pumpkin patch, where children can choose a pumpkin to take back with them on the return trip.

Flickr/Lars Ploug-Sørensen

The trains run through the stunning Des Moines River Valley, where there are canopies of trees that will be turning beautiful shades of fall colors.

Facebook/Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum

A highlight of the trip is when the train crosses the Bass Point Creek High Bridge, a 156-foot-tall bridge that is the highest single-track interurban railroad bridge in the United States. Imagine the view of all of the fall foliage from that vantage point!

Facebook/Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum

Regular excursions can be booked online at Boone & Scenic Valley’s website, but if you want to book tickets for the dinner, dessert or picnic train, you need to call to make reservations at 800-626-0319.

You can book tickets, and find out more about the different train rides that are available here.

Have you taken a train ride with the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad in the fall? What did you think? For more fun fall activities in Iowa, These 10 Charming Apple Orchards In Iowa Are Picture Perfect For A Fall Day.