Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, Colorado
Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSummer and winter train rides; confirm dates with the railroad
The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad is a tourist railroad that has run scenic trips out of Leadville since 1988, on a line first built in 1884, climbing about 1,000 feet into the San Isabel National Forest.
- Tourist railroad since 1988
- Line first built in 1884
- About 2.5-hour round trip
- Climbs about 1,000 feet
- Open and closed cars
Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad at a glance
- Hours
- Seasonal schedule; check leadvillerailroad.com before you go
- Admission
- Fares are posted on the railroad's website
- Train rides
- About 2.5-hour narrated round trip; summer and winter rides
- Plan for
- About 2.5 hours for the ride
- Best for
- Scenic train fans, leaf peepers and families with school-age kids
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
Follow Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Leadville.
Rally Takes the Train
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See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
A mining town's railroad, back on the rails since 1988
Leadville was one of Colorado's great mining boomtowns, and the railroad helped make it so. The line used by today's trains was established in 1884 by the Denver, South Park and Pacific, a Union Pacific subsidiary, as a narrow gauge route. Long after the mining rush faded, the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad began running tourist trains here in 1988, and it has offered rides in both summer and winter.
The trip climbs about 1,000 feet above a town that already sits at 10,200 feet, into the San Isabel National Forest. Narrators share stories of Leadville's colorful past along the way. Schedules, fares and packages change from year to year, so check leadvillerailroad.com before you plan your day.
High peaks from an open car
The ride heads out of Leadville into backcountry forest with views of Fremont Pass, Mt. Elbert, Mt. Massive and the Arkansas River Valley. Riders can move between open and closed cars, which is handy for photos and for warming up. Expect aspens turning gold, red and orange in fall, snow-capped peaks in spring and wildflowers in summer.
Don’t miss
- The open carsThe best spot for photos of Mt. Elbert, Mt. Massive and the valley, with closed cars nearby when the wind picks up.
- Fall colorRiders often single out the autumn aspens as the highlight of the trip.
- Leadville's museumsThe town has eight museums, which local guides say is more per person than any other Colorado city.
Mountain views and room to move
At about two and a half hours, the round trip is manageable for most school-age kids, and being able to switch between open and closed cars helps restless riders. Bring layers, sunscreen and water: at this altitude the sun is strong, the air is cold, and trains run in most weather. The railroad does not post age guidance online, so call ahead with questions about very young children.
Plan your visit: tips for Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad
- Trains run regardless of weather unless conditions are unsafe, and there are no refunds for bad weather if the train runs.
- Dress in layers: Leadville sits at 10,200 feet and the ride climbs higher.
- Fall color season is a favorite with riders, so book ahead.
- Ask about combination packages, such as zipline or rafting with a train ride.
A small railroad in a mountain town
The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad Company has run the line as a tourist railroad since 1988. Riding the train, telling friends and leaving a review are the simplest ways to help keep it running.
More mountain rail stops from Leadville
The Breckenridge High Line Railroad Park is about 21 miles away over the pass. The Georgetown Loop Railroad is about 44 miles, and the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden is about 69 miles. See them all on our Colorado train museums page.
- Breckenridge High Line Railroad ParkBreckenridge, CO · about 21 mi
- Georgetown Loop RailroadGeorgetown / Silver Plume, CO · about 44 mi
- Moffat Road Railroad MuseumGranby, CO · about 61 mi
- Colorado Railroad MuseumGolden, CO · about 69 mi
- Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge RailroadCripple Creek, CO · about 69 mi
- Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog RailwayManitou Springs, CO · about 78 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Mountain air gets thin up at Leadville, and I imagine even grown-ups climbing aboard a little slower here. Rally has his own trouble with train steps in our book: his short corgi legs need a boost, and Dad lifts him right up. My mom thought that small kindness belonged in the story, and my kids always point at it. More about her is on our our story page.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
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- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Colorado
- Halloween train rides in Colorado
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad official website(opens in a new tab)
- Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad on Tripadvisor(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad: 20 questions riders ask
Where is the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad?
The railroad runs out of Leadville, Colorado, a historic mining town in the mountains about 100 miles from Denver. Leadville sits at 10,200 feet. The railroad does not list its depot address in the general travel listings, so check leadvillerailroad.com for the boarding location and directions.
How do I get to Leadville from Colorado Springs?
Leadville is a mountain drive from Colorado Springs; use a map app for the current route and road conditions, especially in winter, when passes can close or require chains. Plan to arrive early so you have time to park and find the depot before departure, and confirm the boarding location on the railroad's website.
How much are Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad tickets?
The railroad posts current fares on its website, leadvillerailroad.com, and prices can change by season. Check there before your trip for adult and child prices, and for any combination packages that pair the train ride with other activities around Leadville.
Are there Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad ticket discounts?
The railroad does not advertise standing discount codes. It has offered combination packages, such as a zipline and train ride, a raft and rail package, and a barbecue special, which can add value if you were planning those activities anyway. Check leadvillerailroad.com for current deals before you buy.
How long is the Leadville train ride?
The round trip takes about two and a half hours. In that time the train climbs about 1,000 feet out of Leadville into the San Isabel National Forest and back, with narration about the town's history along the way. Add time before departure to park and board.
What will I see on the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad?
The route offers views of Fremont Pass, Mt. Elbert, Mt. Massive and the Arkansas River Valley as it climbs through the San Isabel National Forest. Fall brings gold, red and orange aspens, spring brings snow-capped peaks, and summer brings wildflowers.
Is there a map of the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad route?
The railroad does not post a detailed route map in the general travel listings. The ride heads out of Leadville into the San Isabel National Forest, climbing about 1,000 feet toward views of Fremont Pass. Check leadvillerailroad.com or ask the crew when you board for a closer look at the route.
Does the Leadville train run in bad weather?
Yes. The railroad says trips run regardless of the weather unless conditions become unsafe for operations. Refunds are not given for inclement weather if the train still runs, and the company is not liable for delays or cancellations. Dress for cold and wind even in summer.
What is the weather like for the Leadville train ride?
Leadville sits at 10,200 feet and gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year, but mountain weather changes fast and the train climbs higher still. Bring layers, a warm jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen, and use the closed cars when it gets chilly.
Does the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad run a holiday express?
The railroad offers rides in both summer and winter. It does not post holiday train details in the general travel listings, so check leadvillerailroad.com for any Christmas or holiday express dates, times and ticket prices for the current season.
Does the Leadville train run in winter?
Yes. The railroad has offered both summer and winter train rides. Winter schedules are usually shorter than summer ones, and the line climbs to well above 10,000 feet, so check leadvillerailroad.com for current winter dates and dress for snow and cold.
When did the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad start?
The tourist railroad has operated in Leadville since 1988. The line itself is much older: it was established in 1884 by the Denver, South Park and Pacific, a Union Pacific subsidiary, as a narrow gauge route serving the mining district.
Is the Leadville, Colorado & Southern the same as the old Colorado & Southern Railway?
The tourist railroad takes its name from Colorado railroad history, but it is a separate company that has operated in Leadville since 1988. It runs on a line first built in 1884 by the Denver, South Park and Pacific. Searches for the Colorado & Southern Railway may also bring up historic material about the older railroad.
What do reviews say about the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad?
Riders on Tripadvisor often praise the fall colors and mountain scenery and say the 2.5-hour round trip felt relaxed and enjoyable. For a wider range of recent opinions and photos, check Tripadvisor and Google reviews before you book.
Can I see photos of the Leadville train?
Yes. Visitor photos of the train, the open cars and the mountain views are posted on Tripadvisor and Google, and the railroad's website shows its trips. Riders can take their own pictures from the open cars, which give the clearest views of Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive.
Is the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad good for kids?
It can be a good fit for school-age kids who can sit for about two and a half hours. Being able to switch between open and closed cars helps. The railroad does not post age guidance online, so call ahead if you have toddlers, and pack snacks, layers and sun protection.
Is the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad wheelchair accessible?
The railroad does not describe its accessibility features in the general travel listings. Contact the railroad through leadvillerailroad.com before you book to ask about boarding, seating and restrooms, since historic rail cars can have steps and narrow doors.
Can groups book the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad?
The railroad does not post group booking details in the general travel listings. Contact it through leadvillerailroad.com to ask about group rates, private cars and packages for reunions, school trips or tour groups, and book early for fall color weekends.
What else is there to do in Leadville?
Leadville has eight museums, which local guides say is more per person than any other Colorado city, plus a historic walking tour and the story of Molly Brown. Nearby are Turquoise Lake, Twin Lakes, Ski Cooper and miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and snowmobiling.
What other train attractions are near Leadville?
The Breckenridge High Line Railroad Park is about 21 miles away, the Georgetown Loop Railroad about 44 miles and the Moffat Road Railroad Museum in Granby about 61 miles. The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden and the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad are each about 69 miles away.
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