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Many times camping trips involve exploring new territory and discovering enticing attractions along the way. Passenger tour trains have that magnetic appeal for many RVers, providing a novel way to see hidden countryside not normally viewed from the road. Railroad passengers learn about local history, culture and the many colorful characters from the communities visited.

Camping World wants to make sure you don’t miss the departing whistle, so we have created a series entitled RVing the Rails. You will find the most popular excursion trains to ride in each state, complete with any specialty trains they might offer.

Today we will start with the most popular trains in Colorado:

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

One of the most popular trains in the Rockies, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad winds its way from the wild west town of Durango, Colorado through rugged mountainous scenery to the historic mining community of Silverton. Built in 1882, the railroad began hauling precious metals from the Red Mountain mining district, along with passengers intent on getting in and out of the high country.

By 1954, freight was no longer moved by railroad, and the D&SNGRR was designated a scenic tourist train. Today over 200,000 riders a year enjoy a trip along the Animas River through the San Juan Mountains on the Durango & Silverton rails.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Durango & Silverton is a narrow gauge railroad, with tracks laid three feet apart, giving it the ability to handle tighter mountain curves. Its steam engine is powered by coal—in fact, the train goes through six tons of coal and 10,000 gallons of water in one 90-mile round trip!

Seating Options

Listed as one of the world’s top ten train rides, the D&SNGRR has four classes of service from which to enjoy a steam rail adventure. All seating is assigned.

• Presidential Class is limited to those over the age of 21 and offers two elegantly appointed seating areas inside this private Victorian rail car. There is also an exclusive outside viewing deck.
• First Class seating is available in five different enclosed car environments, with comfortable tables and chairs, a private attendant and complimentary beverages.
• Deluxe Class seating offers open-air cars with plush seating and narrated coaches.
• Standard Class seats are in open air gondolas and enclosed coaches.

Riding Options

The Durango & Silverton Railroad offers a wide variety of riding options for their customers.

• Passengers on the daily trip to Silverton can choose a round trip ticket, returning to Durango at the end of the day.
• Many passengers opt for a one-way train ticket to Silverton and ride Skyway Tours busses back over the high mountain passes of the Million Dollar Highway to Durango.
• Those wishing to stay a little longer in Silverton can take advantage of the Extended Silverton Adventure Express, enjoying the entire afternoon in the mountain town, before returning to Durango via chartered vans.

For even more options, purchase a seat in the locomotive with the engineer or in the caboose with the train’s brakeman. These are one-way tickets, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Specialty Trains

• Brew Trains – Taking place on special dates throughout the summer and fall, adults over the age of 21 can enjoy a light sampling of craft beers while learning about the process of creating them. A diesel engine train takes participants from Rockwood Station to Cascade Canyon, where they will disembark to enjoy lunch and more beer along with live entertainment. On the train ride back to Rockwood Station dessert and coffee will be served.
• Wine & Rails – Two dates in September offer a wine tasting train that runs from Durango to Cascade Canyon, where wineries offer two hours of tasting sessions, a Mediterranean lunch, a dance band, yard games and opportunities to photograph the Autumn scenery. The train back to Durango will have desserts and coffee available.
• Cowboy Poetry Train – Ride the rails with other cowboys and cowgirls as cowboy poetry entertainers recite their wildest yarns. The train pulls into Cascade Canyon, where a BBQ lunch awaits, along with more poetry, music, and stories.
• Polar Express – Kids of all ages will enjoy a train ride to the North Pole with all the characters from the Polar Express book. Sing along with the Christmas carols, enjoy hot chocolate and a special gift from Santa as he visits each car. These special rides run from mid-November to the first of January.

Length of Season

The train to Silverton runs from May 4 through October 27, with specialty trains running sporadically (check their schedule) from January 1 through December 9.

Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad

Originally one of five train lines that came through the nearby mining districts, today’s Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad rides on the rails of the old Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad, which hauled silver to smelters and passengers to Denver in the late 1800s. Eventually, the mines began to close as silver was demonetized, and train transportation dwindled.

A local couple renovated train cars, a Victorian-era depot, and roundhouse in the 1980s. They reopened the line for tourists to discover the beauty and history of the Upper Arkansas Valley. Today a two and one-half hour trip from Leadville now stops at an overlook of the enormous Climax Molybdenum Mine on Fremont Pass, following a path along the Highline, to present a stunning view of the valley below.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Leadville, Colorado & Southern tracks were originally narrow gauge and were changed to standard gauge because of all the traffic the rails saw during World War II. Steam engines dominated the railroad until 1962 when today’s diesel engines took over the load. The old 641 steamer sits as a testament to the line’s history in the depot parking lot.

Seating Options

This excursion train offers general seating for all with no assigned seats. Passengers are free to roam the train as it sets course into the mountains, with enclosed cars, covered and open cars available. Restrooms and a snack car are also on board.

The conductor will give narration along the route, presenting the history of the train and Leadville’s mining days, and pointing out many of the sights viewed, along with a few juicy tidbits from the area’s imaginative characters.

Riding Options

All rides are roundtrip, covering 28 miles total in two and one-half hours.  The train does stop at the French Gulch Water Tower, where passengers can disembark for approximately 15 minutes to explore the mountainside or walk through the caboose.

For those looking for a special experience, purchase a seat in the locomotive with the engineer or in the caboose with the train’s brakeman.  These are one-way tickets, and children must be accompanied by an adult.  The other half of the journey will be in the general seating areas.

Specialty Trains

• Wildflower Special – Three dates in late summer are set aside for an exploration of Colorado’s stunning selection of wildflowers. Ride the train to the water tower, where passengers will disembark for a hike with guides, looking for lupine, columbine, Indian paintbrush, and wild strawberries, among other plants. Once you’ve identified these local treasures, finish your train trip in style with a tour of the Healy House Museum and a boxed lunch on the lawn.
• Devil’s Tail BBQ Train – Enjoy an evening train ride with tasty BBQ on board, viewing the Upper Arkansas Valley as the sun sets behind Colorado’s highest mountain peak. There are only three dinner trains scheduled for the season, so don’t miss your meal ticket!
• Train Ride & Zip Line Package – Combine a morning train ride through the mountainous wilderness around Leadville, then enjoy a fast-paced view of the valley in the afternoon, zipping through the trees and over gulches on a zip line tour. Packages are available throughout the summer season.

Length of Season

The Leadville, Colorado & Southern starts its season on Memorial Day weekend and finishes their tours the first weekend in October, weather permitting. Early and late season trains depart once a day, with two departures daily from mid-June to mid-August. Here is a link to their schedule.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Built in 1880 to haul ore from the silver mines of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad only had a 13-year boom, before the mining industry was stymied with the demonetization of silver in 1893.

For many years the rails were abandoned, but in 1970 the states of Colorado and New Mexico purchased the section of track used today, and the railroad began its new life as a tourist train the next year. Visitors ride through wilderness not accessible by car to see 800 foot deep Toltec Gorge, cross high trestles, delve into the darkness of two tunnels and top out on Cumbres Pass.

Railway and Locomotive Types

Starting out as a narrow gauge railroad in 1880, the Cumbres & Toltec began to switch over to standard gauge within 10 years to make interchanging cars with other railroads possible. However, the rail section that today’s train runs on never got upgraded.

So five operating steam engines run by coal ride the narrow gauge tracks each day between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado.

Seating Options

Cumbres & Toltec has three levels of seating, reflected in ticket prices, which fluctuate with Summer and Fall seasons.

• The Premium Parlor Car is reserved for those over 21 and provides attendants who serve continental breakfasts and afternoon snacks, all included in the ticket price. This enclosed car is decorated in Victorian elegance with single seats and windows that can be closed against the weather.
• The Deluxe Tourist Car welcomes all ages to an enclosed car with tables and chairs. Concessions are available.
• The Classic Coach Car has padded bench seating in an enclosed car with closable windows. Passengers can move about this car and into the open air gondola cars.
• The Gondola Car is available for all ticketed passengers as they move throughout the train. There are no seats in the open air car, but it offers great views, and docents are available to answer questions.

Riding Options

The 64-mile long trip from Antonito to Chama (or Chama to Antonito) offers several choices for travel:

• Take the train from Antonito to Osier (the halfway point), where a buffet lunch is included with all ticket prices. Then return to Antonito by train.
• Take the train from Antonito to Osier, where a buffet lunch is included with all ticket prices. Then take a motor coach back to Antonito.
• Take the train from Chama to Osier, where a buffet lunch is included with all ticket prices. Then return to Chama by train.
• Take the train from Chama to Osier, where a buffet lunch is included with all ticket prices. Then take a motor coach back to Chama.
• Take the train from Antonito to Osier, where a buffet lunch is included with all ticket prices. Then take the train on to Chama. Return to your vehicle in Antonito by motor coach.
• Take the train from Chama to Osier, where a buffet lunch is included with all ticket prices. Then take the train on to Antonito. Return to your vehicle in Chama by motor coach.

Specialty Trains

• Geology Train – Travel with an award-winning geologist to study the particular rock make-up of the region, stopping along the way to interpret geologic points of interest.
• Wildflower Botany Train – Join the New Mexico District Forester to study the variety of plants in seven different life zones, identifying wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Sunset Trains – Several trains during the summer season offer entertainment as the locomotive follows dusk across the state line.
• 4^th of July Dinner Train – Join passengers in a patriot attire contest, enjoy dinner entertainment as the train pulls away from the depot, then take in the spectacular fireworks display with front row seats on the Cumbres & Toltec.

Length of Season

The Cumbres & Toltec begins its season on Memorial Day weekend, ending on October 20, weather permitting. From Labor Day through the end of the season is their peak traveling period, with passengers vying to see the stunning Fall colors. Check out their schedule here.

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Join the thousands of RVers that have a love affair with trains and ride the rails on your next camping trip. We’ll have more RVing the Rails articles coming in the future so check in again soon to read and learn more!

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Class C motorhomes are an excellent way of seeing the country with your spouse or the whole family. While Class C RVs can come with very long overall lengths, you’ll often find that a more compact unit is easier to handle on the road and fits better into many of the campgrounds you find across the country.

For those reasons, a Class C under 25 feet long is a great option for many people. Some folks will need a bigger RV, but if you don’t and you’re looking for something on the shorter side that still offers a lot in terms of space, features, and amenities, here are a few excellent options.

2019 Thor Freedom Elite 22FE

The Freedom Elite 22FE features a layout with a single slide on the driver’s side of the RV. That slide is for the queen bed. There’s also a rear bath, a full camp-side kitchen, a large dinette, and a cab-over bunk at the front of the unit with a LED TV on a swivel mount. This layout is great for a couple or for a small family.

The unit measures 24 feet in length, so it’s a compact unit. Between the queen bed, bunk, and dinette, it sleeps up to five people. The motorhome features a Ford E-350 chassis with a gas engine that makes 305 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

Check our inventory

2019 Winnebago Outlook 22C

Another option with essentially the same layout is the Winnebago Outlook 22C. This model has a single slide, too, with a queen bed. The bathroom is in the rear of the camper and there’s a camp side kitchen across from a dinette. There’s also an over-cab bed with a TV. The bedroom area is just a little bigger in this model.

The overall length of this unit is a little longer than 24 feet. The unit can sleep up to six people between the over-cab bed, queen bed in the rear of the unit, and the dinette, which turns into a bed. Like the Freedom Elite this unit uses a Ford E-350 with a gas engine that produces 305 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

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2019 Forest River Forester MBS 2401R

If you’re not in love with the layouts of the units shown above, then maybe the Forest River Forester MBS 2401R will be more pleasing to you. The model features two slides. One is for the rear queen bed and the other is for the dinette. There’s also a bathroom on the driver’s side of the unit and a camp side kitchen. Above the cab is a bunk and there’s a TV in that area, too.

The Forester MBS 2401R is just under the 25-foot mark. When parked and the slides deployed, the rear slide will increase the overall length of the RV. Keep that in mind. The unit sleeps up to five people between the beds and dinette. The unit is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis with a diesel engine that produces 188 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque.

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2019 Forest River Sunseeker 2290SF

The Sunseeker 2290F is another unique layout featuring a single driver’s side slide out. On that slide out is a wardrobe and U-shaped dinette. On the opposite wall is the full kitchen. The queen bed is in the rear on the passenger side of the RV. Next to it is the bathroom. At the front is an over-cab bunk and a TV.

This unit measures 24 and a half feet in overall length. The queen bed, over-cab bunk, and the U-dinette can all be used to sleep up to six people. The Sunseeker uses the Ford E-450 chassis. Powering the RV is a gasoline engine that makes 305 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

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2019 Thor Daybreak 22GOF

 

If you’re looking for a model with no slide outs, you should check out the Daybreak 22GOF made by Thor. The unit features a similar layout to the Sunseeker show above, but it lacks the slide for the dinette and offers a standard dinette instead of a U-shaped one like the Sunseeker’s.

The Daybreak 22GOF measures 24 feet even in overall length. The unit can sleep up to five people between the beds and the dinette. The unit is built on the Ford E-450 chassis. Powering the motorhome is a gasoline engine that makes 305 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

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Do you have any suggestions for Class C motorhomes under 25 feet? Leave a comment below!

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The state of Pennsylvania has some of the most beautiful areas in the whole country. This state is home to cities like Philadephia and Pittsburgh, and it also has some amazing natural geography, including a large section of the Appalachian Mountains.

You could spend years exploring all that Pennsylvania has to offer. However, I’m sure you don’t have years to explore. In that case, you should consider hitting some of the state parks. Pennsylvania’s state parks offer world-class scenic views, excellent hiking trails and plenty of activities. Here are five parks I recommend.

1. Ricketts Glen State Park

You’ll have trouble finding more picturesque waterfalls than the ones found in Ricketts Glen State Park. Comprised of over 13,000 acres, this state park is home to the Falls Trail System. The trail system goes right along various waterfalls all of which are free-flowing and wild.

In addition to the amazing waterfalls in the park, you can also spend time swimming in or boating on Lake Jean. There’s also fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. Additionally, in the winter months, you can snowmobile, cross country ski, or go snowshoeing. Camping is available, but the campsites are not hookup sites and offer minimal amenities.

2. Ohiopyle State Park

Located on the southern side of the state, the Ohiopyle State Park offers over 20,000 acres of land to explore, and it’s only about an hour and a half drive from Pittsburgh. This means you should probably hit both on your trip to the area. At the heart of the state park is the Youghiogheny River Gorge. It helps give this park not only a beautiful feature but a source of some of the best white water boating in the entire area.

Additional activities in the park include hiking, picnicking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. When the weather turns cold, you can cross country ski, snowmobile, sled, and snowshoe. The park is an outdoor lovers dream, and you can find something wonderful to do there no matter the time of year. Camping is allowed at the park, and some campsites offer electric hookups, though many are primitive sites.

3. Presque Isle State Park

Looking for that beach life, but want to visit Pennsylvania? That’s where the Presque Isle State Park comes into play. With idyllic beaches this state park is something you probably won’t expect from Pennsylvania. The sandy peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie offers over 3,000 acres of land to explore.

You can hike, swim, boat, fish, picnic, hunt, and bike around the state park to see various areas. In the winter many visitors try their hand at cross-country skiing or ice skating. If you’re coming from the west, you should hit up Cleveland, Ohio, on your way to the state park. The city is only about an hour and a half away and offers plenty to do and see. You can easily camp at Lampe Campground or Sara’s Campground, both of which are nearby.

4. Little Buffalo State Park

Home to the Little Buffalo Creek and Holman Lake, Little Buffalo State Park is a great place for families to come and enjoy themselves. There are over 900 acres to explore. The park has a pool, hiking trails, covered bridges, and visitor centers that can help you get the most out of your experience.

There are also all kinds of activities to do at the park, including hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, picnicking, hunting and more. As with many of the other parks on this list, Little Buffalo State Park is also active during the winter months offering a great location for snowshoeing, ice skating, and cross country skiing. You can camp right in the park and some of them are full-hookup sites while others only offer electric hookup.

5. Colton Point State Park

Want to see some amazing views of the Appalachian Mountains? If so, Colton Point State Park is for you. This 368-acre state park might be small in comparison with some of the other parks on this list, but it’s a park that packs a big punch. The park is home to the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. It offers breathtaking views and some of the best hiking trails in the region.

Colton Point State Park offers plenty of activities for you and your family to take part in, including hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching, fishing, and hunting. In the winter months, you can find snowmobiling is fairly common. The campsites are pretty basic and are offered on a first come first serve basis.

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Do you have any state parks that you think should be added? Leave a comment below.

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Austin White is a photographer, videographer, climber, surfer, snowboarder, avid hiker, and dirt road explorer.

He has also been living off and on the road since he was 9 years old when his family ditched the corporate lifestyle and ladders for a life of travel. With his parents, two younger sisters, two dogs, and a cat, he hit the road in a 37ft Winnebago RV for what they thought would be a year. They ended up traveling for close to 10 years and couldn’t get enough of the freedom.

They became the BareNakedFamily and their story continues to be shared.  Since then, they’ve each done their own adventures and travels. He is now based in Bend, OR while still traveling around the Pacific Northwest, chasing the things and places that give him inspiration. He lives by the philosophy “the smaller the house, the bigger the backyard” and spends as much time as possible in the great outdoors.

In this interview, Sam chats with Austin about his childhood on the road, how it has influenced his life and photography career, and his advice for other traveling families.

Connect with Austin on his website and on Instagram!

Check out his mom’s book about the BareNakedFamily here!

Some highlights from this episode:

• 1:30 – Life in Bend, Oregon
• 3:30 – Becoming the Barenaked Family
• 9:00 – Advice for roadschooling families
• 12:00 – Biggest takeaways from this lifestyle
• 14:00 – Stories from the road
• 17:30 – Adult life as a roadschooled kid
• 22:00 – Building a photography career with a travel lifestyle

Austin’s advice for traveling families:

Every kid is different. Listen to your kids and let them have a say in life on the road and their education. If they need to be stationary for a while, try slowing down. If they want to go on adventures, travel more. Help them explore the possibilities in life and find their own way.

** Subscribe to Stories from the Road on iTunes, Spotify, or Google Play **

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Whether you RV fulltime or only a couple weekends a year, it is YOUR tiny home on wheels. Just like a house, it’s nice to add your personal touch.

While each year our favorite brands of RVs are coming out with nicer interiors, it still might be hard to find one that exactly fits your style. Luckily, in a small area, a little will go a long way in terms of decor. Here are five ways to personalize your RV.

1. Curtains

RVs are known for coming with less than appealing cornices or valances over the majority of windows. They generally come in busy patterns that might not fit your personal style. By removing the factory installed cornices and replacing with curtains and rods, you can make a huge difference in the look and feel of the interior of your RV.

These window fixtures are easy to remove, and once taken out, you are able to replace with any rod that suits your vision. Most curtain rods are adjustable in size, making it easy to fit your preferred rod over only RV window. As for the curtains, they come in a variety of length which should make it easy to find the right one to fit any sized window.

Consider placing the curtain rod several inches above the window and using floor-length curtains to make walls feel taller. Can’t find the right pattern in the right length? Simply hem the bottom of the curtain to make it the ideal length. Want more privacy than curtains can provide? Hang your curtains and add custom window shades for additional light control and privacy.

2. Wall Decor

The walls come pretty much bare when you purchase a new RV. While it may seem tricky to hang a ton of decor from the walls of your traveling home, there are plenty of ways to secure pieces to the walls to give it a personal touch. To avoid putting holes in your RV walls, use Command hooks to hang decor.

Command makes a variety of hooks ideal for hanging different types of decorations. Use large hanging strips for bigger frames or small wire hooks with hanging items. While Command hooks are extremely reliable and are sure to keep your personalized pieces hanging on travel days, consider using plastic frames or only hanging decor that won’t shatter if the unexpected happens.

Ready to switch up the look and feel of a wall you’ve personalized? The best thing about Command hooks is they come off the wall easily and without doing any damage!

3. Rugs

Just like in a house not on wheels, floor coverings can make a huge difference to the look and feel of a room. To personalize your RV, add a rug to any or all areas!

A welcome mat is both functional and a nice way to be greeted when you open the front door. If you have a motorhome or fifth wheel with a long hallway, a runner can make a nice transition from the living space to the sleeping area.

Consider adding a large rug to your RV living room not only to make the space feel more like yours, but to provide extra padding when walking or for kiddos playing on the floor.

4. Bedding

Choosing a comforter that fits your style is a simple way to personalize your RV. You are able to use the same bedding you’d use in a traditional home. Your bed should be your sanctuary while on the road so chose bedding that makes you feel comfortable and ready for a good nights sleep.

Adding throw pillow to the bed (and couch for that matter) is a great way to further personalize your sleeping area. Traveling with little ones? Let the kids pick out the bedding for their bunk so they feel more comfortable and ready to sleep as snug as a bug!

5. Light Fixtures

Regardless if you buy a new or used RV, there is a chance you may not be thrilled with the light fixtures. Sidewall lights may look outdated and overhead lights may just be domes and provide nothing aesthetically to the room. Replacing light fixtures is an easy way to make your RV feel more like home.

Start with lighting in the areas you spend most of your time in. Chances are you spend a lot of time at the table and a new light fixture over the dinette will make a noticeable difference. Or a new pin-up light next to the couch will give your RV the personalized touch you are looking for. Switching out just one or all of the light fixtures in your RV is a great way to give it a personal feel!

The best thing about having an RV is the ability to take your home with you wherever you may roam. Even if you only spend a few nights a year in the RV, it’s still so nice to have the comforts of home with you. Since your RV is a home no matter if it’s 365 or 1 day a year, you might as well make it feel like your own.

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Do you have any suggestions? Leave a comment below!

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When most people think of Colorado, they think about the Rocky Mountains and popular ski towns. The Great Sand Dunes National …



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