OutsideJun 15, 2026
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.
25 things in this story
- Tennessee Valley Railroad MuseumPlaceEvening Ridge Runner departs Chattanooga
- Elsewhere
- Sky RailwayPlaceSanta Fe, United Statesruns 'Stargazer' service from Santa Fe depot
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RailroadPlaceChama, 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 MonumentSightClarkdale, United Statesviews toward monument from Taawaki Inn
- Nevada Northern RailwayPlaceEly, United Statesruns nighttime astronomy trains
- Great Basin National ParkSightEly, United Statesnearby park with Dark Sky Rangers
- Santa Fe Sky RailwayPlaceSanta Fe, United Statesco-founded by George R. R. Martin
- Galisteo BasinNeighborhoodSanta Fe, United Statesdark skies south of Santa Fe
- 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 RailroadPlaceGaribaldi, United Statesadults-only Moonlight Excursion
- Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern RailroadPlaceKempton, United StatesHarvest Moon Special timed to annual harvest moon
- Catskill Mountain RailroadPlaceKingston, United Statesruns Twilight Limited train
- Napa Valley Wine TrainPlaceNapa, United StatesVista Dome Dinner rolls through wine country
- Railyard Arts DistrictNeighborhoodSanta Fe, United Statesrefurbished depot area in downtown Santa Fe
- 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
