At Rocky Mountaineer, we’ve always believed that the journey should be just as extraordinary as the destination. For over three decades, we’ve welcomed guests onboard our glass-dome coaches to explore the majestic Canadian Rockies and, later, the awe-inspiring American Southwest. Next year, our sister company Canyon Spirit, Armstrong Collective's new elevated rail journey through the American Southwest, will be taking over our iconic Rockies to the Red Rocks route. This new experience will look to build on our long heritage in exciting ways, and we cannot wait to see what they will accomplish.
Guests can capture amazing photos from the outdoor viewing platform.
Ahead of their inaugural season in 2026, Canyon Spirit hosted a special preview journey from July 21 to 28. Over the course of this journey, guests enjoyed everything that makes our American Southwest experiences unforgettable: elevated service, rich storytelling, incredible views of canyons, desertscapes, and more.
But they also got to enjoy everything that makes Canyon Spirit new, from an updated menu to, most excitingly, the all-new third leg of the route connecting Moab to Salt Lake City.
Read on for a sneak peek at what our guests experienced – and what future Canyon Spirit guests can expect.
Denver's Union Station. Photo credit: Scott Dessel Martin.
A Journey Through the Heart of the Southwest
On the morning of July 21, the Canyon Spirit train departed from Union Station in Denver, Colorado, and followed a similar path to Rocky Mountaineer's existing journeys, passing several favourite highlights. First they wound through the Southern Rockies, taking the iconic Big 10 Curve before before crossing the Continental Divide through the Moffat Tunnel. As they journeyed west, they followed the path of the mighty Colorado River, passing the awe-inspiring canyons and vast desert landscapes, before arriving at the charming town of Glenwood Springs for an overnight stay.
Navigating through De Beque Canyon.
The following morning, they boarded the train for another day of majestic scenery as they headed out towards Utah’s Mighty 5 country. As they headed southwest they ventured into a landscape that featured stunning transformations throughout the day, with mountain vistas and cliffs giving way to the rugged landscapes of De Beque Canyon, renowned for its stair-step cliffs of sedimentary rock layers. From there, they encountered Mount Garfield and the Book Cliffs before laying eyes on the striking red rock formations that signaled their approach towards Moab, gateway to the Mighty 5 National Parks, where they enjoyed another overnight stay before embarking on the new third leg of the Rockies to the Red Rocks route.
A view of Castle Gate from Canyon Spirit.
New Horizons
After a restful night amidst the sleeping red rock giants, guests enjoyed a leisurely morning of exploration, with some choosing to soak in the desert sunrise and others discovering the town's hidden gems. Then, it was time to board the train again and experience the route between Moab and Salt Lake City by rail, a true milestone moment.
Leaving the red rock marvels of Moab behind, the train ventured into a stunning landscape that shifted from wonder to wonder as the day went on. After passing the last of the scenic Book Cliffs, they wound through Castle Gate and ascended through Price Canyon before crossing the historic Soldier Summit via the Gilluly Loops.
Spanish Fork peak north of Thistle.
The final leg of their journey took them through Red Canyon, giving them breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountains. Finally, after a day filled with marvels and an ever-shifting landscape, Canyon Spirit arrived at Salt Lake City via picturesque Spanish Fork.
But that wasn't the end of Canyon Spirit's preview journey.
After another night at Salt Lake City, a new group of guests boarded the train to head back to Denver as Canyon Spirit retraced its adventure through the stunning and majestic American Southwest, giving even more people a chance to get a sneak peek of what awaits guests in 2026.
Guests enjoyed new dining options.
An Experience to Remember
The rail journey between Moab and Salt Lake City was not the only new experience that awaited guests.
Rocky Mountaineer has long been known for offering world-class service from hosts that see to your every need, rich storytelling that enriches the journey, and regionally-inspired cuisine that brings the flavours of the land to life on each and every plate. Canyon Spirit will continue this legacy of excellence and endeavour to put their own unique twist.
For this preview journey guests travelled on Canyon Spirit's Premier upgrade service level, their version of our SilverLeaf Plus, which includes exclusive lounge car access, signature cocktails and drinks, an extra outdoor viewing platform, and elevated dining options.
Executive Chef Kaelhub Cudmore and his team have been hard at work putting together a tantalizing feast for future Canyon Spirit, and guests on the preview journey were among the first to sample the revamped menu.
The Journey Continues in 2026
As Canyon Spirit prepares to welcome its first official guests in 2026, this preview journey offered a glimpse of the wonders to come, an adventure where timeless landscapes meet thoughtful service, and every mile tells a story. We’re proud to see our sister company carry forward the Rocky Mountaineer legacy in the American Southwest, and we can’t wait for travellers from around the world to experience it for themselves. Stay tuned as Canyon Spirit begins its inaugural season next year and get ready to discover the Southwest in a whole new way.
Follow Canyon Spirit on Instagram at @thecanyonspirit and on Facebook to see more photos and videos from the preview journey and to stay updated as they get ready for 2026.
There's still time to explore the American Southwest with Rocky Mountaineer.
Want to travel in 2025?
Rocky Mountaineer is still offering Rockies to the Red Rocks journeys through the American Southwest this year. Click here to see our available packages.
