From the AppleLodge you have three choices of scenic trains to ride. The closest one is the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad that leaves from Alamosa, just thirty minutes from our door. The train takes you over La Veta pass into a majestic valley in the shadow of Colorado's Spanish Peaks. The ride is a great day trip with a stop-over to eat lunch and do a little shopping in the quaint and beautiful town of La Veta. It returns in time to eat dinner at one of many restuarants in either Alamosa or Monte Vista on your way back to the AppleLodge.The third train ride available in Southern Colorado is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. It starts in Durango which is two hours away from the AppleLodge. This train is one of the most popular and most scenic in the state. It stops in the old mining town of Silverton with enough time to eat lunch and shop then returns to Durango. It makes for a long day so we recomend spending the night in Durango afterward.
If your looking for a real train adventure you can plan to use the AppleLodge as your hub for three trains, the Great Sand Dunes, and Pagosa Hot Springs in 5 days. First night at the AppleLodge with the Rio Grande Scenic Train the next day. Second night at the AppleLodge catching the Cumbres Toltec the second day. Third night at a B&B in Chama, NM and return to Antonito by bus the third day leaving time for a trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park on your way home. Fourth night at the AppleLodge and ride the Durango Silverton train the fourth day. Fifth night in Durango and spend the day shopping, rafting, kayaking, and sight seeing in the Durango area (or spend that same time at the Hot Springs in Pagosa). Sixth night at the AppleLodge before you head home.
There are many different ways to put together a train vacation in beautiful Southern Colorado. Give us a call at the AppleLodge Bed & Breakfast and Group Lodge (1-888-56APPLE) and we will gladly help you make those plans.