OutsideJun 15
The Best Stargazing Train Journeys Across the Country
From steam-powered star trains to moonlit railbike rides through redwood forests, these are the best night sky train adventures across America.
refurbished depot area in downtown Santa Fe
25 things in this story
- Sky RailwayPlaceruns 'Stargazer' service from Santa Fe depot
- Santa Fe Sky RailwayPlaceco-founded by George R. R. Martin
- Galisteo BasinNature reservedark skies south of Santa Fe
- Railyard Arts DistrictNeighborhoodrefurbished depot area in downtown Santa Fe
- Elsewhere
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RailroadAttractionChama, United Statesoperates Dark Sky Train excursions
- Continental Divide TrailTrailChama, United Statesroute crosses remote mountain terrain
- Verde Canyon RailroadPlaceClarkdale, United Statesoffers Saturday Starlight Adventures
- Taawaki InnHotelClarkdale, United Statesnew boutique hotel next to the depot
- Tuzigoot National MonumentNature reserveClarkdale, United Statesviews toward monument from Taawaki Inn
- Nevada Northern RailwayMuseumEly, United Statesruns nighttime astronomy trains
- Great Basin National ParkSightEly, United Statesnearby park with Dark Sky Rangers
- Skunk TrainPlaceFort Bragg, United Statesruns Moonlight Railbikes to Glen Blair Bar Junction
- Glen Blair Bar JunctionSightFort Bragg, United Statesoff-grid bar destination for railbikes
- Allentown & Auburn RailroadPlaceKutztown, United StatesFirefly Express runs through Pennsylvania Dutch countryside
- Oregon Coast Scenic RailroadMuseumGaribaldi, United Statesadults-only Moonlight Excursion
- Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern RailroadPlaceKempton, United StatesHarvest Moon Special timed to annual harvest moon
- Catskill Mountain RailroadTrain stationKingston, United Statesruns Twilight Limited train
- Napa Valley Wine TrainAttractionNapa, United StatesVista Dome Dinner rolls through wine country
- Tennessee Valley Railroad MuseumMuseumChattanooga, United StatesEvening Ridge Runner departs Chattanooga
- Pelican BrewingRestaurantGaribaldi, United Stateslocal beer sampled on excursion
- Nehalem Bay WineryPlaceGaribaldi, United Stateswine sampled on excursion
- Twin’s Ranch CafeRestaurantGaribaldi, United Statesprepared charcuterie boxes and sandwiches
- Overboard Stride SocietyPlaceKempton, United Statesperform live music after excursion
- Saratoga Corinth & Hudson RailwayPlaceCorinth, United StatesMoonlight Moonshine Express offers whiskey tastings
- C9 BridgeSightKingston, United Statescrosses Esopus Creek