Rocky Mountaineer to extend its iconic US train route

This iconic train journey just got a new name – and a new route to match.

Mention the words ‘Rocky Mountaineer’ to any well-versed traveller and they’ll instantly know what you’re talking about. The Canadian-born luxury rail operator has cemented itself as a stalwart of the travel industry, especially in the global luxury holiday market.

Rocky Mountaineer has been escorting guests through breathtakingly remote scenery across North America since it was founded in 1990. Now, it’s raising the bar yet again with a huge rebrand, as well as the expansion of its only US route come 2026.

What can we expect from Rocky Mountaineer next year?

Rocky Mountaineer currently offers four remarkable rail routes, all of which include tailored onboard experiences and access to some of the world’s most isolated landscapes. Three of these traverse Canada’s Banff and Jasper national parks, stopping in at places like Lake Louise, Kamloops and Whistler along the way.

Rocky Mountaineer traverses some of North America’s most scenic landscapes.

Its fourth trip – the Rockies to the Red Rocks route – is the company’s only US endeavor, running under Rocky Mountaineer since 2021. But beginning in April 2026, the train journey will officially operate under its own brand, Canyon Spirit.

The change of name reflects the values of the newly formed parent brand, Armstrong Collective, which will oversee both Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit moving forward. It is committed to showcasing the American Southwest as a destination in its own right, as well as more clearly defining its Canadian and US offerings. But that’s not all…

The brand’s US routes will now operate under Canyon Spirit.

New longer itinerary for Rockies to the Red Rocks

The Rockies to the Red Rocks route has been running as a two-day service since it originally launched over four years ago. Travelling between Moab in eastern Utah to Denver in Colorado, it currently offers just one overnight stop in Colorado’s resort city of Glenwood Springs.

But as of 2026, the Rockies to the Red Rocks service will offer a new, three-day sojourn to Salt Lake City, one of our top picks for travel in 2025. Rather than beginning or ending in Moab, it will now stop overnight there before continuing to the state’s capital. The extra day will offer guests a deeper insight into Utah’s distinctive landscape and culture, from its vast desert canyons to its distinct mountain vistas.

Stay overnight in cities like Glenwood Springs, Colorado. (Image: Adventure Photo)

“We could not be more excited to bring our Canyon Spirit train to Salt Lake City, and to expand our Rockies to the Red Rocks route further into the beautiful state of Utah,” said Tristan Armstrong, CEO of Armstrong Collective.

“Although the name of our train is changing, our world-class service and onboard experience will remain the same, and we look forward to sharing the beauty of the American Southwest with even more guests from across the United States and around the world.”

The Rockies to the Red Rocks route will expand to three days.

Rockies to the Red Rocks will remain a SilverLeaf Service, running on the company’s single-level carriages with curved windows (as opposed to GoldLeaf’s two-level cars with domed-window roof). It also includes meals and beverages brought to your seat and complimentary baggage transfers to and from your accommodation.

The new Rockies to the Red Rocks service will begin operating from 21 April 2026 as a weekly service, with one westbound departure from Denver and one eastbound departure from Salt Lake City. Prices start at start at AUD $3365* (plus tax) and are inclusive of all three days onboard as well as overnight accommodation in Glenwood Springs and Moab.

* Currency conversion accurate at the time of writing.