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Nevada Fall Foliage Train Rides

Published: September 6, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Nevada isn’t the first place most travelers think of for fall foliage, but that’s exactly why its autumn rail journeys feel like a secret. Rather than the riot of reds common back east, the Silver State’s color show is a quieter, golden spectacle: cottonwoods and willows along cool river canyons turn lemon-yellow, rabbitbrush blooms glow against silver sage, and high-country aspens shimmer like coins in the wind.

While there are no dedicated fall foliage excursions in the state there are a handful of classic train rides that offer a glimpse of Nevada's vibrant colors.

Locations

Virginia & Truckee

The Virginia & Truckee is Nevada’s marquee heritage railroad, and autumn is its finest season. Two different V&T experiences operate today. From Virginia City, short excursions run to Gold Hill on a historic alignment with tight curves, timber trestles, and rugged mine country scenery.

Separately, longer seasonal trains depart from the Carson City (Eastgate) depot and dive into the Carson River Canyon on the way to Virginia City. For fall foliage, the Carson River Canyon is the headliner.

Its cottonwoods and willows ignite in shades of yellow through October, and the low-angle light makes the rock walls pop. The contrast between foliage, river, rust-toned volcanic rock, and vintage rolling stock makes for memorable photos.

Expect the Virginia City–Gold Hill ride to last under an hour, making it an easy add-on to a day in Virginia City. The Carson City–Virginia City run is a half-day outing with a layover on the Comstock, giving you time for a boardwalk stroll and a bowl of chili before the return.

In both cases, fall weekends are popular thanks to themed events in Virginia City and the railroad’s own seasonal offerings. Trains can be steam- or diesel-hauled depending on the schedule; steam adds a layer of sensory nostalgia to the canyon’s crisp air.

Timing: Peak color in the Carson River Canyon typically runs late September through the third week of October, with lower elevation cottonwoods holding some color into late October if nights are mild. Sit on the river side for the canyon segment if seating is assigned; if not, arrive early to choose your spot. Open-air cars are wonderful for photography, but bring layers—mornings can be cold, and canyon shade lingers.

Nevada Northern Railway

In far eastern Nevada, the Nevada Northern Railway in Ely is a living museum operating on original 1905 rails. Its excursions leave from the brick depot in East Ely and head into Steptoe Valley, past historic yards and smelter sites toward mine country and high desert foothills.

While the line itself doesn’t climb into the aspen belts of the Schell Creek Range, it crosses riparian corridors where Fremont cottonwoods blaze yellow, skirts sagebrush seas accented by golden rabbitbrush, and frames the broad valley against snow-dusted peaks by late October.

The Nevada Northern’s fall calendar often includes a mix of daytime excursions, special photography trains, and popular seasonal events. October brings the Haunted Ghost Train of Old Ely on select evenings—more spooky fun than foliage, but the chill in the air and historic steam engine atmospherics make it a uniquely Nevadan autumn experience.

The railroad also runs night “star” themed departures on some dates when skies are clear; Great Basin Country’s dark-sky reputation makes these runs particularly striking as summer shifts into fall.

Expect most regular excursions to last 60–90 minutes. Trains use open-air and enclosed coaches; steam power operates on selected dates. Ely sits at about 6,400 feet, so color tends to come earlier here than in western Nevada—often early to mid-October for peak cottonwoods, with aspens in nearby canyons turning even earlier. A smart weekend pairs a day ride in Ely with a scenic drive to a high-elevation grove (warding off the “no-train-to-the-aspens” reality while still soaking in the gold).

Nevada Southern Railway

Down south, the Nevada State Railroad Museum’s Nevada Southern Railway in Boulder City offers a family-friendly, roughly 45-minute excursion through the desert toward Railroad Pass.

This route is more about Mojave textures and warm autumn light than big-leaf fireworks, but don’t discount it: cooler temperatures make open-air cars comfortable again, desert willows and cottonwoods near washes pick up soft yellow, and the surrounding mountains glow bronze at day’s end. Seasonal weekend events and themed rides pop up on the schedule in October and November, making it a good pick for travelers based in Las Vegas who want an easy, low-commitment rail outing with a hint of fall.

Amtrak

California Zephyr

If you prefer long-haul steel wheels, the California Zephyr provides Nevada’s most expansive fall color window. Eastbound from Reno, the train follows the Truckee River into canyon country before swinging east across the Black Rock–Humboldt corridor and tracking the Humboldt River for hours. Cottonwoods and willows thread both riverbanks with ribbons of yellow in October, punctuated by red-stemmed shrubs and amber grasses. The Sightseer Lounge car’s panoramic windows make leaf-peeping effortless.

For a Nevada-only fall sampler, consider Reno to Winnemucca (about three hours) if you want a shorter dose of the Humboldt’s color, or Reno to Elko (closer to six hours) to push deeper into basin-and-range scenery with glimpses of the Ruby Mountains on clear days.

Note that schedules can place some of the Truckee River canyon west of Reno outside Nevada bounds; if you want that specific stretch, westbound travel and timing matter. Amtrak times shift by season and operations, so check current timetables and plan padding for delays—a common part of long-distance rail.

What to expect from Nevada’s fall palette
A Nevada foliage day is about nuance. Expect golds: cottonwoods, willows, and aspens dominate, while rabbitbrush provides a mustard hue in the open country.

You’ll see deep greens from pinyon-juniper woodlands on slopes, silvery-blue sage in the foreground, and occasional red tones from sumac or creekside shrubs, but crimson maples are rare on these routes. The drama comes from contrast—gold leaves against lava rock, turquoise rivers beneath ochre cliffs, and big skies that shift from cobalt to sunset fire.

Planning Tips

When to go: Higher elevations (Ely, aspen country) tend to turn in late September to early October. River corridors around Carson City and Virginia City usually peak mid- to late October. Southern Nevada color is subtler and later; aim for late October into early November for the softest light and comfortable temps.

Book ahead, especially weekends: Heritage lines often sell out fall Saturdays. If you want steam, choose dates labeled accordingly on the railroad’s official calendar.

Pick your seat with light in mind: For canyon rides, the sun sits lower in autumn. Morning departures give softer light in east-facing canyons; afternoons can backlight leaves. If the car is open seating, arrive early and be ready to switch sides after a curve or turnback.

Dress in layers: Desert mornings start cold and afternoons warm up quickly. Gloves, a beanie, and a wind layer make open-air riding pleasant.

Why Fall By Rail In Nevada

Beyond foliage, these rides stitch together the state’s identity: Comstock-era ambition, copper boom grit, and the persistence of small communities in big spaces.

Steam whistles echo differently in crisp air, canyon walls frame the season’s light, and the gold you’ll take home lives mostly in memory cards and moments.

If you time it right, you’ll step off the platform dusted with a little coal smoke, a jacket pocket full of piney scent, and a new picture of Nevada in your mind—quieter, warmer, and richer than you expected.