We Tested It for You: The Canyon Spirit Scenic Train
Since April, it has been possible to travel from Denver to Salt Lake City by scenic train. As an expert destination management company for North America, Toundra was able to try out the experience ahead of its launch. Laurence, our development manager based in Los Angeles, was won over by this timeless break in the American West. Here is our take on the journey aboard the Canyon Spirit, worthy of the Orient Express, which turns the train into far more than a means of getting around for your clients!
CANYON SPIRIT AT A GLANCE
- Type of services: Scenic train
- Region: Colorado and Utah
- Stops: Salt Lake City – Moab – Glenwood Springs – Denver
- Audience: Families, couples
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CANYON SPIRIT
Boarding the Canyon Spirit means taking a 3-day break. It’s a chance to slow down the usually hectic pace of a road trip in the American West, and to enjoy a gentle, immersive interlude of nearly 1,000 km in total, divided as follows:
Salt Lake City to Moab: 350 km
Moab to Glenwood Springs: 312 km
Glenwood Springs to Denver: 350 km
It’s worth reminding your clients that there is no TGV-style high-speed rail in the United States. Here, the train journey is made at a cruising speed of 40 to 80 km/h. Having time to admire the landscapes rolling by is the whole point of the experience. In all transparency, the most beautiful views are between Moab and Denver. Tunnels cut straight through the cliffs, wide open spaces with typical Wild West ranches, forests, orange rock formations… it’s a real feast for the eyes.
Your travelers can make the trip in either direction, from April to November. From Salt Lake City to Denver, departures are on Fridays and Saturdays. From Denver to Salt Lake City, departures are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We recommend the adventure to your clients in spring, when Salt Lake City is beautiful under its cherry blossoms. Temperatures in Moab are also pleasant, far less scorching than in the height of summer.
Wherever you depart from, an entire delegation in matching khaki uniforms waves the American flag. With big smiles and enthusiastic waves, the Canyon Spirit team welcomes its passengers warmly and with great fanfare. Present both on board and at every stop along the route, the crew’s hospitality and friendliness won Toundra over.
WHAT SETS CANYON SPIRIT APART
Unlike other trains, the Canyon Spirit doesn’t offer sleeper berths. Each day, passengers spend the night in fully comfortable accommodations. The team had a real favorite: the Limelight Denver hotel. Your clients will count sheep in bright, spacious and cozy rooms. Note that at the start and end of the train journey, Toundra can offer several ranges of accommodation to suit their preferences.
Not to mention that here, there’s no need to lift a finger. Meals on board are included, even the food and wine pairings that elevate the whole experience. And honestly, the culinary offering lives up to the prestige of this one-of-a-kind experience. Even the luggage goes on its own vacation: it travels separately and is delivered to the room at every planned stop during this rail adventure through the American West. The Canyon Spirit experience also includes all transfers, so your clients simply have to sit back and let themselves be carried along.
On board, each traveler has an assigned panoramic seat and enjoys the scenery rolling by the window. For an even more exclusive experience, guests can move through to the comfortable lounge cars: roomier spaces to have a drink at the bar and/or a snack (unlimited!) during the journey. The cherry on top? There are even occasional activities, such as a Tea Time introduction or a bourbon tasting.
Finally, one small detail that matters: there is no Wi-Fi on the train and very little 5G coverage. It’s the perfect excuse to disconnect completely on vacation and put the phone aside, for real…
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE JOURNEY ?
If your clients are looking for things to do in the USA beyond the big classics, they’ve come to the right place. Traveling through Colorado and Utah, they will discover Moab and Glenwood Springs, two lovely off-the-beaten-path gems. The Amtrak station in this charming town is one of the most beautiful in the West. It dates back to 1904 and feels like a step back in time. A tip: during the free time in Glenwood Springs, head for its hot springs. Picture yourself floating peacefully at dusk, with the sun setting over the red-hued mountains… A moment of pure happiness that we absolutely loved!
The other big advantage of this train break is access to grand, spectacular nature without the crowds. Once in Moab, passengers can set off in a small group on two 3-hour excursions to discover two wonders of the West. First, Canyonlands National Park, after 3 p.m. on arrival. The program includes two easily accessible viewpoints: Shafer Canyon Overlook and Green River Overlook. The next morning, early, before the Canyon Spirit departs, it’s the turn of Arches National Park. Here too, your clients will enjoy breathtaking landscapes.
Laurence appreciated the pace of the program, which leaves time to soak up every last drop of the beauty of the American West!
TOUNDRA’S VERDICT IN BRIEF
In conclusion, we find that the getaway offered by the Canyon Spirit is a perfect complement to a road trip through the American West. It’s ideal if your clients are looking for a distinctive, one-of-a-kind stop to slot into a Wild West itinerary. That’s why we designed a 13-day stay built around this unique train experience, across the wide open spaces of the western USA.
“I recommend this experience to travelers who want to see the United States differently, in a gentle, immersive adventure style. As soon as you step on board, time takes on a different dimension and you truly disconnect. It’s also a chance to see landscapes, along the rails, that others will never see. Not to mention the kindness and availability of the team.”
– Laurence, U.S. development manager