There’s nothing better than a getaway to see the foliage, except when you get to see all those colors with your dog.
One of the most fun ways to get a hit of Technicolor is a fall foliage train excursion: relaxing, eye-popping and often historic. The Northeast and New England are obviously king of color, but we’ve included a few out west to round out this survey of beautiful train rides with Rex aboard.
And keep in mind that the color varies depending where in the United States you are. Also, these excursions fill up fast, so if the colors are tapped out or the trains are sold out, look ahead. Many trains do holiday and other trips to enjoy with your dog.
Delaware & Ulster Railroad, Arkville, N.Y.: Runs a scenic two-hour ride through the Catskill Mountains and past the Delaware River. Dogs are allowed on the excursion train for free and receive a souvenir punch ticket.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, Jim Thorpe, Pa: Features a 16-mile, 45-minute to 1-hour roundtrip through Lehigh Gorge State Park. Well-behaved dogs ride free in 1920s enclosed or open-air coaches and receive their own special dog ticket. BTW, the Jim Thorpe Trolley Company allows dogs to ride its vintage cars, too. And Wild Elder has pupcuterie (charcuterie for pups) at its outside seating.
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, several stations between Pittston and Reading, Pa.: Scenic rides on a variety of trains. Well-behaved pets are allowed on excursions of 80 minutes or less.
Conway Scenic Railroad, North Conway Village, N.H.: Offers trips through White Mountain National Forest with panoramic mountain views on vintage trains. Small dogs under 20 lbs are welcome in coach on designated pet-friendly excursions on the Valley Train. Fido even gets a doggy ticket. Dogs must be on a leash and kept at your feet at all times; they cannot sit on seats or in laps
Rail Explorers, Milford, NY: Not the traditional train adventure — you (and an electric motor) power your own transportation. Rail Explorers started the commercial railbike tourism industry in 2015. The pedal- and electric-powered bikes run along railroad tracks through spectacular scenery. Offers pet-friendly rail bike tours along the Susquehanna River. Dogs of all sizes are welcome on tandem or quad carts at no extra cost, with complimentary dog biscuits and staff providing a mat for the dog to sit on. Rail Explorers also runs an eastern tour near Buffalo Creek in West Virginia, as well as scenic locations in Iowa, Kentucky, Rhode Island and California.
Leadville Railroad: Leadville, Colo.: A two-hour chug through the Rocky Mountains at almost 11,000 feet past aspen groves turning brilliant gold. Dogs are allowed in coach seating, limit two dogs per reservation, up to 15 total per train,
Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad: Garibaldi, Ore.: A historic steam train runs along Tillamook Bay and the Nehalem River during the Fall Splendor Excursion. Pets are welcome in open-top and covered cars, with owners encouraged to sit in the open-air section for extra room.
Some tips:
- Call ahead: Policies on weight limits, open-air vs. indoor car seating, and peak-season reservations change frequently.
- Bring essentials: Pack waste bags, a comfortable mat or blanket for the seat, and water for your pet.
