Stargazing and nighttime train trips in America

I’ll never forget my first train trip stargazing on the Sky Railway’s ‘Stargazer’ service in my hometown, Santa Fe, New Mexico, a few years ago. As a dark sky expert and a self-proclaimed railway connoisseur, nothing gives me greater pleasure than combining my two passions – stargazing and trains – into a perfect evening activity. We boarded the train at the old depot, originally opened in 1880 for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and now renovated into the vibrant Railyard Arts District in Downtown Santa Fe. With a hearty welcome margarita in hand from the onboard bar, I stood on the open-air platform car as we slowly headed out of the city away from the city lights, the night sky slowly revealing itself above.

In an empty patch of desert, the train stopped, and we stood stunned, watching the stars twinkle above and trying to spot Venus before it sank below the western horizon for the night.

In recent years, many heritage railroads and scenic train operators across the US have begun running dedicated nighttime train services based on stargazing, full moons, astronomy, dark skies and nocturnal wildlife. You can race across the desert in New Mexico on a dark-sky train equipped with binoculars, watch fireflies aboard a 1930s diesel locomotive, or ride your own moonlit railbike in the redwood forests of California.

Whether you want to stargaze with a professional astronomer, drink something strong under the full moon, or simply enjoy the romance of a historic train ride after dark, these are some of the best stargazing and nighttime train experiences to be had.

Dark Sky Train of Cumbres and Toltec, New Mexico and Colorado

Built in 1880 to haul silver ore through the San Juan Mountains, the narrow-gauge Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad launches its new dark sky train Excursion between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado in 2025. The line operates five original, restored steam locomotives and 1880s railcars, including an open-air Gondola Car with views of the sky. The trail crosses remote mountain terrain over Cumbres Pass, where it connects with the Continental Divide Trail, and during the day, hikers sometimes board and ride into Chama for supplies and a night off the trail. After sunset, the train becomes a rolling observatory, with laser astronomy sessions led by guides from DarkSky New Mexico, and it appears to have the largest selection of astronomy instruments on any stargazing train in the US, including Dobsonian telescopes, mounted telescopes, SeaStar smart telescopes, and more.

Verde Canyon Railroad Starlight Adventures, Arizona

Verde Canyon Railroad Saturday Starlight Adventures Run from March to December aboard a quarter-mile long train powered by two rare 1953 FP7 locomotives originally built for the Alaska Railroad – only 10 are left in North America. Departing from Clarksdale near the Cottonwood International Dark Sky Community, this is a four-hour round-trip journey that follows a remote rail line built in 1912 through red-rock Verde Canyon. Along the way, you cross historic trestles, meander along the Verde River, and pass through a 734-foot tunnel accessible by car. Each passenger gets first-class seating, a charcuterie tray, Champagne or sparkling cider, and access to nearby open-air viewing cars for stargazing. Summer departures also offer the Grape Train Escape wine-tasting upgrade, which includes onboard Arizona wine tasting and a souvenir glass.

This year, the railroad recently opened the Tawaaki Inn, a new boutique hotel next to the depot that overlooks Tuzigut National Monument and Sedona. A “Room and Ride” package includes a first class train ticket, breakfast, lunch and overnight stay with drinks onboard.

Nevada Northern Railway Star Trains, nevada

Nevada Northern Railway runs at night astronomy trains Out of Ely in the east-central part of the state. It is one of the best-preserved railroad complexes of the copper-mining era of the American West, established in 1905 and now designated as a National Historic Landmark. There are two options: the summer-only “Star Train” and the year-round “Sunset, Stars and Champagne” train. The summer Star Train carries Dark Sky Rangers from nearby Great Basin National Park, who guide you through constellations and celestial bodies as the train climbs through Steptoe Valley to Star Flat, a remote, extremely dark viewing location where telescopes are installed. The “Sunset, Stars and Champagne” excursion features panoramic views of the sunset, plus champagne or sparkling cider and stargazing with the naked eye on the return ride after dark.

Santa Fe Sky Railway Stargazer, new mexico

Who co-founded the Santa Fe Sky Railway? game of Thrones Author George R.R. Martin and runs themed train tours on restored Midcentury railcars. Night time stargazer train Departs from the historic Santa Fe Depot and travels south toward the dark skies of the Galisteo Basin, returning in approximately three hours. It is one of the few places in the country that has astronomers on hand to guide you through the constellations during your visit. Plus, there’s live music and a champagne toast on board. There are older indoor carriages that are warm and comfortable, but the open-air flatcar is the best place to view the unobstructed sky.

Skunk Train Moonlight Railbikes, California

California’s Skunk Train runs several nighttime redwood experiences out of Fort Bragg and Willits, but the most unusual is its moonlight railbike Up to Glen Blair Bar Junction. Instead of a traditional train, it’s a passenger-powered, electric-assist railbike that you can ride while pedaling down tracks that wind through the redwood forests along Pudding Creek. The ride starts at 6 p.m., and you arrive at the off-grid Glen Blair Bar in time for the stars to come out, light a fire, and grab a drink and make some s’mores with the kit included with the ride. The return ride takes place on a moonlit night. The Skunk Train also runs more traditional night train rides to the Glen Blair Bar using 1920s Southern Pacific coach cars and an open-air flatcar built in 1947 for the US Marine Corps.

Allentown and Auburn Railroad Firefly Express, pennsylvania

Allentown and Auburn Railroad Jugnu Express Runs on select July evenings through the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside aboard vintage railcars pulled by historic diesel locomotives from the former Reading Railroad. Departing Kutztown at 8 p.m., the train travels approximately eight miles through Mennonite farmland and quiet countryside, coinciding with peak firefly season, when thousands of lightning bugs twinkle across the fields at dusk. Halfway through the 90-minute to two-hour journey, the train stops at the railroad’s Picnic Grove for ice cream and sunset views before returning through the dark countryside after nightfall.

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad Moonlight Tour

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad Adults Only moonlight tour The tour is a three-hour journey aboard the 101-year-old McCloud River Railroad #25 steam locomotive across Tillamook Bay and the Pacific Coast. Departing Garibaldi around sunset, the train heads north to Wheeler before returning under the evening sky, with open-air cars for coastal views and moon viewing. On board, you can sample local beer from Pelican Brewing, wine from Nehalem Bay Winery, and charcuterie boxes or croissant sandwiches prepared by Twins Ranch Café. Each rider also receives a free dessert midway through the ride.

Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern Railroad Harvest Moon Special, pennsylvania

Wanamaker, Kempton and Southern Railroad once a year harvest moon special Turns a short heritage rail trip through rural Pennsylvania into a moon-watching event at the time of the annual harvest moon. The train includes an open observation car that allows you to stand and enjoy the sunset and night sky during the journey. On the return trip, the crew stops next to an open field at the Lehigh/Berks county line with eastern views to wait for the moon to rise. After a 45-minute ride, you return to Kempton Station for refreshments and live ragtime, stride piano, and early jazz performed by the Overboard Stride Society in the outdoor patio area.

Catskill Mountain Railroad Twilight Limited, new york

On summer evenings in the Hudson River Valley, the Catskill Mountain Railroad runs for 90 minutes Twilight Limited Train through farmland, forests and creek valleys north of Kingston while local musicians play onboard. The route follows part of a historic rail corridor that once connected Catskills resorts and industries to the Hudson Valley, crossing Esopus Creek on the restored C9 Bridge before climbing into the wilderness of Hurley Mountain as the sky darkens. You can stay indoors in closed heritage coaches or head to the roofed open-air flatcars, which are the best places to see the stars come out on the return journey to Kingston.

evening drinks and food carts

Some nighttime rail experiences focus less on stargazing and more on the atmosphere of travel after dark. Saratoga Corinth and Hudson Railway, in the Adirondack foothills of New York Moonlight Moonshine Express Evening departures through the upper Hudson River Valley aboard vintage rail cars pulled by 1950s Alcoa locomotives feature tastings of New York whiskey, bourbon and cocktails served in open-air cars for views of the river after dark. Across the country, Napa Valley Wine Train Vista Dome Dinner Roam through California Wine Country in restored 1915 Pullman railcars, including a glass-domed upper-level dining car where you’re served a multi-course dinner with Napa wine pairings as the sun sets and the stars appear over the vineyards outside.

sunset trains

Some railroads set their departure times not for the stars but for the golden hour, turning sunset into the main event. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Evening Ridge Runner Departing Chattanooga with restored passenger cars of the 1940s-60s, passing through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel and ending with a live turntable demonstration at the East Chattanooga Depot as the sun sets. You’ll also get a history of the area and the railroad during the 6-mile round-trip tour. In West Virginia, the Potomac Eagle sunset trough Train service follows the South Branch Potomac River through the Trough – a narrow valley accessible primarily by river or rail that is known for its bald eagle population, and you can see one on board. Meals are served on board, and there are open-air Gondola cars for sky-gazing and wildlife viewing during the long golden hours beneath the Sycamore Bridge and glittering canyon walls.

Megan Eves is a travel writer and dark skies advocate based in London. She is the editor of DarkSky International’s quarterly magazine and her writing appears in National Geographic, away, many times, Wirebbc, and lonely planetWhere she also remained staff editor for many years. his new book, Night Trip: In Search of the Fading Darkness, Recalls her travels around the world to experience darkness and the night sky.