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3 Ridiculously Charming Train Rides To Take In Montana This Fall

Explore Montana's beautiful fall colors through scenic train rides before winter arrives.

Updated Jul 30, 2024

Written by 

Jessica Wick

Whether it's a quick scenic tour or the beginning of a vacation, traveling by train is extremely fun. And we just happen to have a few Montana train trips that show off our beautiful fall colors. Make time in your schedule for one of these scenic train rides in Montana before winter and see for yourself how incredible our state looks during the fall season.

1. The Adder Gulch Shortline Railroad

A red train with open carriages carries passengers along a track near a log cabin and greenery.
Virginiacitymt.com
Historic red train station surrounded by trees and mountains, with a wooden walkway and wagon in front.
Virginiacitymt.com

Editor's Note:

This train stops running the first week of September.

The little train that takes tourists from Virginia City to Nevada City doesn't operate on cold, snowy days (or when there's a bear in the area, apparently). But if you can catch the Virginia City Short Line on a cool day, you'll love the scenery. Just call the Virginia City Depot before you make the trip to make sure the train isn't unavailable due to maintenance. It's one of the best Montana train rides you can take.

2. The Empire Builder

A train travels along tracks with colorful autumn trees and mountains in the background under a blue sky.
Loco Steve / Flickr
A train travels along a scenic route with autumn trees and a mountain in the background.
Loco Steve / Flickr

Amtrak's Empire Builder passes right through Glacier National Park at its finest. Technically you could ride this train from Spokane through Chicago, but (obviously) the Montana stops are the most breathtaking. Book a ride on Amtrak.com. It's one of the best scenic train rides in Montana.

3. The Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train

A train travels along a dusty track, with grasslands and distant riders in the background under a clear sky.
Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train Facebook
Two vintage trains glisten in the golden light of sunset, traveling along a winding track through a scenic landscape.
Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train Facebook

Central Montana is incredibly gorgeous this time of year, so you'll love the scenery as much as the food and the show aboard the Charlie Russell Chew Choo dinner train. It's one of the most memorable train rides in Montana!

Have you taken any of these scenic train rides in Montana? Let us know!

Trains play a big role in Montana's history. To see some of this history, lace up your boots for this Montana hike that takes you right through an abandoned train tunnel.

If you prefer a more exhilarating adventure, book a UTV Offroad Rental Tour in Lakeside, Montana!

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