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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

From Deserts to Peaks: A Canyon Spirit Adventure

Seven-day escorted rail journey from Salt Lake City to Denver on Canyon Spirit

Illustration of From Deserts to Peaks: A Canyon Spirit Adventure

Great Rail Journeys operates this seven-day escorted tour across Utah and Colorado aboard Canyon Spirit, a specialty train with glass-dome coaches. The journey begins in Salt Lake City with two nights in the city and an ascent to the summit of Hidden Peak by aerial tram. You then board Canyon Spirit for three days of daylight rail travel through dramatic terrain: the canyons and mountains of Utah, the terracotta deserts around Moab, and across the Colorado border toward Denver. Along the way, guided tours take you through Arches National Park, where over 2,100 sandstone rock formations create otherworldly landscapes. After arriving in Denver, a naturalist-led tour of Rocky Mountain National Park concludes the trip. Two nights in Denver allow time to explore the gateway city. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, photographers drawn to desert and mountain landscapes, and couples who appreciate guided exploration paired with rail comfort.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator publishes no day-by-day itinerary for this package; confirm the exact schedule and accommodation details with Great Rail Journeys before booking.
  • Canyon Spirit operates on a daylight-only schedule, so rail travel occurs during daytime hours.

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes three days aboard Canyon Spirit traveling from Salt Lake City to Denver via Moab and Glenwood Springs in glass-dome coaches.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted tour with guided tours at Arches National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Where do I stay?
The tour includes two nights in Salt Lake City and two nights in Denver. Three nights are spent on Canyon Spirit (the pack does not specify sleeper berths or coach accommodation).
How many days is the trip?
Seven days and six nights. The route runs from Salt Lake City to Denver with stops at Park City, Moab, Arches National Park, and Glenwood Springs.
How much walking is involved?
You will climb 2,900 feet to the summit of Hidden Peak by aerial tram and participate in guided walking tours of Arches National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

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