Launching in April 2026 and running through November, this brand new route promises to become an unforgettable way to experience the American Southwest. After my experience, I’m convinced, it absolutely will and you will not be disappointed.

Service Levels : Signature or Premier, worth the upgrade?……Absolutely
There are two service levels to choose from onboard, Signature and Premier.

Premier guests enjoy access to two dedicated lounge cars, comfortable, spacious, and laid-back. They’re the perfect places to settle in with a cocktail or a glass of wine (after 10am) and plenty of snacks whilst watching the scenery unfold outside the windows. These lounge cars quickly became one of my favourite touches of the experience and everyone else was in agreement.

“The Canyon Spirit isn’t just a way to get from Salt Lake City to Denver; it’s a scenic slow travel experience into one of America’s most iconic landscapes. ”

Hayley Durrant

Day 1 – Arrival in Salt Lake City: A Smooth Start

Today began with a lovely direct flight on Delta to Salt Lake City. The journey couldn’t have been more comfortable, excellent film choices, an attentive crew, and some of the best food I have experienced in Economy Class. The WiFi was a big plus, too. It’s fast, reliable, and ideal whether you’re travelling for business or just want to browse to pass the time. All you need is a free SkyMiles account to connect.

Touching down in Salt Lake City, everything moved quickly. Customs and baggage claim were a breeze, one of the perks of travelling through a smaller airport. Within 40 minutes we were outside, hopping into a cab which are waiting right at arrivals.

Our short transfer, only 10 minutes brought us to The Grand America Hotel and the name really does say it all. The hotel is stunning and every inch as luxurious as shown on the website. I got New York Plaza vibes!!! I checked into an executive suite, their leading room category, offering a spacious lounge area and a huge bathroom.

We kicked off the evening with a warm welcome reception hosted by Canyon Spirit, checked in for the train, then settled in for a relaxed dinner at the hotel restaurant which was nice. Afterwards, we wandered through the hotel to admire the beautiful Christmas decorations before calling it an early night.

Day 2 – Canyon Spirit: Salt Lake City to Moab

A Journey Into the Red Rock Heartland

This morning marked the official beginning of our three day Canyon Spirit Adventure, a spectacular rail journey from Salt Lake City to Moab.

We gathered in the hotel lobby at 7am sharp before boarding the waiting motor coaches for the short 10 minute transfer to Salt Lake City train station. Once onboard, we were greeted by the warm and welcoming team who set the tone for the 3 day journey ahead. The atmosphere was amazing and everyone was so excited.
As the train eased out of Salt Lake City, the skyline faded behind us and Utah’s natural beauty immediately took over. With every mile, the city swapped places with desert plains and huge stretches of untouched wilderness. The panoramic windows were a total game changer, you don’t miss a single moment. Today’s standout views…..The Thistle Tunnels and the winding Price River Canyon, both exclusive to this three day route.

Today’s journey takes around 6 hours and we toasted the start of our journey with non alcoholic mimosas (Utah law doesn’t permit alcohol service before 10am) this was followed by a delicious breakfast. Along the way, Mike, Gill and Leigh, our onboard hosts shared fascinating stories about the state’s history, geology, and culture, they will always let you know if a photo opportunity is coming up so you can get camera ready. A freshly prepared lunch served about an hour before arrival summed up the dining experience perfectly.

On arrival into Thompson Springs we were collected and driven to Moab which took around 40 minutes, we were accompanied by a local onboard host who shared fascinating stories about Thompson Springs. The journey felt more like 15 minutes as everyone was so engaged.

Tonight we checked into the Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton. A lovely quirky property right in the heart of Moab town, this was my favourite hotel.

All transfers where applicable and luggage handling is included with Canyon Spirit.

““Wildlife, you say? The American Southwest is absolutely packed with incredible animals. Along the way you might spot Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, and plenty of pronghorn, we saw loads of those. We also spotted 23 bald eagles, which actually broke the record! And if you’re really lucky, you might even catch sight of the elusive gray wolf or a moose.”

Hayley Durrant

Day 3 - Moab and the Beauty of Arches National Park.

Today began bright and early in Moab with a guided tour through the iconic Arches National Park. I was mesmerised by the scenery, every curve of red sandstone, every towering arch was jaw dropping. It’s one thing to admire the arches in photos, but standing there in person is a completely different experience.

After the tour, around midday we were transferred to 7 mile station, only 10 minutes away for our second day onboard Canyon Spirit.

All Aboard Canyon Spirit
Today’s route, lasting around five hours, crosses the Utah/Colorado border, winding through canyon walls along the Colorado River. Highlights included Ruby Canyon, a stunning stretch of glowing red rock at the state line just as shown on Canyon Spirits website, and Mount Garfield, perched on the book cliffs.

We settled into the same seats, and after another toast and a very warm welcome lunch was served, beautifully presented and delicious.

Later in the afternoon we were treated to a delightful afternoon tea, we love an afternoon tea in the UK, right?

Arriving in Glenwood Springs

We arrived into Glenwood Springs at around 5:30om and made a very short 1 minute walk from the tracks to our hotel for the night, The Maxwell Anderson. The property is super quirky and full of character. Downstairs there’s a great bar and restaurant ideal for a drink or something to eat if you’re staying in.

If you prefer to explore, Glenwood Springs has plenty of bars and restaurants within easy walking distance. And just a 5 minute stroll over the bridge is the famous Hot Springs which did look inviting but I didn’t go in.

Day 4 - Glenwood Springs to Denver

The final day aboard Canyon Spirit is the longest, around eight hours, but with a departure time of 10:30am, we enjoyed a relaxing morning to explore Glenwood Springs before settling in for the journey.

Despite being the lengthiest stretch by rail, it never once felt long. The route is packed with scenery that kept us glued to the windows, including Glenwood Canyon, Burns Canyon, and the iconic Moffat Tunnel, which runs for an impressive 6.2 miles. The landscapes at either end of the tunnel can be strikingly different, and on our journey they absolutely were. We entered surrounded by fresh snow near Winter Park, I loved looking at the Ski resorts and we all made a quick dash to the open air viewing platform for photos as snowflakes were falling. When we emerged, we were greeted by sunshine. A surreal experience.

Between Glenwood Springs and Denver alone, the train passes through 45 tunnels, an incredible amount for one stretch of track. Across the full three day route, there are 50 in total.

Meals today included a hearty brunch and a delicious dinner; you will not go hungry, that’s for sure. In the afternoon, host Leigh led a whisky tasting experience in the lounge. Canyon Spirit is considering adding this as a regular feature next season, along with a cheese and honey table that was a big hit with us onboard, certainly me as I love cheese. Keep your ears peeled, we’ll be sure to keep you posted on this.

On arrival into Denver Union Station around 6:30pm we had a short stroll to The Hotel Indigo, a lovely contemporary hotel which offers a fantastic breakfast at a reasonable cost.

“The onboard hosts truly make this journey special. They share the stories so well and take the time to really get to know you.”

Hayley Durrant

Day 5 – It’s Home Time

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, I made the short two minute walk over to Union Station. I’d decided I wanted to try out the local transport, and what better way than another train? While certainly not as luxurious as Canyon Spirit, the A Line was a perfect and stress free way to get to the airport, avoiding all road traffic.

The train runs direct and every 15 minutes from Union Station to Denver International Airport, takes just 35 minutes, and costs only $10pp far cheaper than an Uber, which I was told can cost anywhere between $65 and $100.
Once at the airport, I checked in for my indirect journey home via Boston, flying with Delta and Virgin. Both flights were comfortable, smooth, and without any issues.