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Ghost Trains of Colorado: Spine-Tingling Halloween Rides

Last revised: January 1, 2024

By: Adam Burns

There are currently two locations in Colorado hosting Halloween-themed train rides, the Colorado Railroad Museum and Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge.  As one of the top tourist railroads in the nation, the latter offers one of the most unique experiences you will find anywhere in the Peanuts™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express experience. 

There are only a select few locations in the United States offering this attraction.  More information about both locations may be found further below.

Other Halloween Attractions

Colorado is known for its beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities, but during the Halloween season, there are plenty of spooky attractions to enjoy as well. If you are looking for more than just a train ride to enjoy Halloween, here are some of the top attractions in Colorado that are sure to give you a fright.

The 13th Floor Haunted House

Located in Denver, this haunted house is consistently ranked as one of the best in the country. The 13th Floor takes guests on a terrifying journey through multiple floors of horror, with intense special effects and animatronics. This is not for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for a good scare, it's worth a visit.

Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens

This Denver theme park transforms into a Halloween wonderland during Fright Fest. You can ride the roller coasters in the dark, walk through haunted houses, and watch spooky shows. There's also a "Trick or Treat Trail" for kids during the daytime hours.

Harvest Farm Fall Festival

Located in Wellington, Colorado, this festival offers a variety of family-friendly activities like hayrides, a corn maze, and pumpkin picking. However, for those who want a bit more of a scare, Harvest Farm also offers a "Terror in the Corn" maze, where you have to navigate through a dark and creepy maze while being chased by scare actors.

Ghost Tours of Old Town

Take a walking tour through the historic town of Fort Collins and learn about the town's haunted past. You'll hear ghost stories and visit places that are rumored to be haunted. The tour ends in a graveyard, which is sure to give you chills.

The Stanley Hotel

This iconic hotel in Estes Park is known for inspiring Stephen King's novel "The Shining." The hotel offers ghost tours and a "Night Ghost Tour," which takes guests through the most haunted areas of the hotel. If you're feeling brave, you can even stay overnight in one of the haunted rooms.

Terror-Dactyl at Cave of the Winds

If you're looking for a unique Halloween experience, try Terror-Dactyl at Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs. This ride launches you off the side of a cliff at 100 miles per hour, while you scream in terror. It's not specifically a Halloween attraction, but it's sure to give you a thrill.

Maize in the City

Located in Thornton, Colorado, Maize in the City offers a 20-acre corn maze that changes themes each year. In addition to the maze, there are also hayrides, a petting zoo, and a pumpkin patch. At night, the maze becomes haunted, with scare actors roaming around.

Overall, Colorado offers a variety of Halloween attractions for all ages and levels of bravery. From haunted houses to ghost tours, there's something for everyone. So gather your friends and family, and prepare for a spook-tacular Halloween season in Colorado.

Colorado Railroad Museum

(Golden):  The Colorado Railroad Museum, based in Golden, houses a large collection of rolling stock and locomotives.  They also host train rides during the weekends and other special events.   One such trip is the Harvest Haunt hosted in late October offering several activities for the kids to enjoy. 

These family-friendly trains are pulled by an authentic steam locomotive and include "not-so-spooky" haunted rail cars, trick-or-treating, food and drinks, and kids dressing up in their favorite costume for Halloween. 

2023 Dates

• October 21 - October 22

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

(Durango):  One of the premier tourist trains you will found anywhere in the country.  The Durango & Silverton operates on the fabled narrow gauge lines of the former Denver & Rio Grande Western in the beautiful rugged regions of southern Colorado, still using the same steam locomotives that operated under the D&RGW.  

Each fall they host the Snoopy-themed, Peanuts™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express, where the kids can dress up in their favorite Halloween costume, ride the train to pick out their favorite pumpkin, meet the Peanuts gang, enjoy live music, story telling, tractor rides, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, and other family-oriented activities.  This unique event is only offered at a few select tourist railroads throughout the country.

It is hosted by Rail Events, Inc., which also manages the popular "Polar Express" train rides hosted at various museums and tourist railroads around the country every holiday season.

2023 Dates

Not yet announced.