Dog-Friendly Train Rides: Which Scenic Railroads Allow Dogs (2026)
- Home
- Dogs on Trains
- Dog-friendly train rides
Dogs on trains · Scenic railroads
Dog-friendly train rides: which scenic railroads say yes
Most tourist trains are service-animals-only, but a few redwood and mountain railroads welcome dogs on board. Here's what each one's own policy says.
Checked .
The short answer
The Skunk Train, Roaring Camp and Conway Scenic Railroad welcome dogs. Most other scenic railroads we checked allow service animals only.
Scenic trains that welcome dogs
Skunk Train
Fort Bragg and Willits, CA Dogs welcome
Yes. Dogs are welcome on most Skunk Train rides for a dog fare ($10.95 on the Pudding Creek Express). Bring a leash, food, water and a dish.
Some experiences exclude dogs, such as the 21+ car on Days of Steam. The Pudding Creek Railbikes rent a dog trailer for up to 150 pounds for $30.
Skunk Train's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Roaring Camp Railroads
Felton, CA Dogs welcome
Yes on the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Dogs ride on the floor of the car.
Roaring Camp warns about noise sensitivity (steam whistles). Dogs are not allowed on the Holiday Lights Train.
Roaring Camp Railroads's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Conway Scenic Railroad
North Conway, NH Small dogs
Yes, one small, well-behaved dog per party, in Coach seating only, on a leash at your feet.
Dogs can't sit on the seats.
Conway Scenic Railroad's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Scenic trains that don't allow pets
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
Campo, CA No pets
Not on the trains. The grounds, outdoor exhibits and Exhibit Hall welcome leashed dogs, but no dogs ride the museum trains.
On-duty service animals are allowed.
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Niles Canyon Railway
Sunol, CA No pets
No. Only trained service animals ride.
Niles Canyon Railway's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Napa Valley Wine Train
Napa, CA No pets
Service animals only.
Service animals stay within about 3 feet of a walkway.
Napa Valley Wine Train's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Grand Canyon Railway
Williams, AZ No pets
No, but the railway runs a climate-controlled Pet Resort in Williams where your dog can stay while you ride.
Up to two dogs per kennel. Allow extra time to check in the morning of your train.
Grand Canyon Railway's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Durango, CO No pets
No. No live animals except service animals with their owner or trainer.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Canon City, CO No pets
No. As a licensed restaurant, the railroad allows only service animals.
Service dogs must be trained and harnessed and can't sit on laps or seats.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Mt. Hood Railroad
Hood River, OR No pets
No pets. Anyone caught with a pet faces a $100 fine and can't re-board after the Pine Grove stop.
Mt. Hood Railroad's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH No pets
No. Only trained service dogs board.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Strasburg Rail Road
Strasburg, PA No pets
No pets on trains or in customer areas of the station and platform. Service animals only.
Strasburg Rail Road's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Bryson City, NC No pets
No pets on board. Call (800) 872-4681 ahead about a service animal.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Blue Ridge, GA No pets
No pets other than service animals. Emotional support animals aren't allowed on the property.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway's own policy(opens in a new tab)
Want a big-dog ride that isn't a tourist train? Metro-North allows leashed dogs on its Hudson Valley lines, and the full dogs on trains guide covers every system.
A page from Rally's ride
Roaring Camp's steam whistle is a lot like the happy cheers Rally hears at the end of his tunnel: loud, sudden, and a little scary the first time. If your dog is coming on a steam train, read the tunnel page together first and bring a towel to drape over the carrier or a quiet spot on the floor. The tunnel page is in our free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dog-friendly train rides
Which scenic train rides allow dogs?
From the railroads we checked, the Skunk Train (Fort Bragg and Willits, CA), Roaring Camp's Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Beach Train (Felton, CA), and the Conway Scenic Railroad (North Conway, NH, one small dog per party) welcome dogs. Most other tourist railroads allow service animals only.
Can dogs ride the Skunk Train?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on most Skunk Train experiences for a dog fare ($10.95 on the Pudding Creek Express). Bring a leash, food, water and a dish. A few special trips, like the 21+ car on Days of Steam, don't allow dogs.
Can I bring my dog on the Grand Canyon Railway?
No, pets can't ride the train. The railway runs a climate-controlled Pet Resort in Williams, Arizona, where your dog can stay while you ride, with up to two dogs per kennel.
Why do so many tourist trains ban dogs?
Many serve food under a restaurant license, run in tight vintage cars, or use steam whistles that frighten animals. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad, for example, cites its licensed restaurant and state law.
Policies change by season and by event. Confirm with the railroad before you buy tickets. Rally Takes the Train isn't affiliated with any railroad listed.
- Checked at the sourceEvery rule on this page comes from the railroad's own website, not a pet blog.
- Re-checked oftenPet rules change. We note the date we last checked each one at the top of the page.
- A real corgiRally is the family's actual dog, which is why we care whether he'd fit under the seat.
Bring Rally on every ride
A five-minute, hand-painted picture book about a corgi's first train trip. $13.99 on Amazon.