A new rail journey through Utah’s high desert region is offering travelers an immersive experience into the rugged landscapes and cultural heritage surrounding Moab and Arches National Park. The Canyon Spirit excursion, reminiscent in style to Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer, attracts mostly older adults but also appeals to younger couples and families seeking a digital detox, as Wi-Fi and cellular coverage are minimal along the route.
The rail trip traverses portions of the Dinosaur Highway, following historic telegraph lines dating back to the 1870s. Passengers pass by ghost towns and small rural communities, including Sego Canyon and Thompson Springs, the latter with a reported population of just 34. The journey highlights the region’s rich geological and paleontological significance, with stops near Utahraptor State Park and the Klondike Bluffs—areas known for important dinosaur fossil discoveries. Despite the arid, seemingly barren terrain dominated by dust devils and flat desert expanses, the route reveals a landscape shaped by ancient fault lines and a history that connects the region to former Pacific seabeds.
Arrangements on the Canyon Spirit are designed for convenience, with pre-organized transfers, hotel check-in ahead of arrival, and luggage delivered directly to accommodations, allowing passengers to focus on exploration without logistical concerns. In Moab, travelers stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, offering straightforward accommodations amid the town’s Western-inspired yet culturally vibrant atmosphere. Moab’s main street is dotted with boutiques featuring locally made crafts, vintage goods, and regional art. Notable is Back of Beyond Books, a shop devoted to literature and history of the American West, where rare editions of Edward Abbey’s works and historical maps of the Grand Canyon are displayed.
Moab also offers a variety of dining options reflecting its eclectic character. Visitors noted the appeal of local food stalls as well as established eateries, such as the Desert Bistro, where dishes like bourbon-glazed bison tenderloin are on the menu.
The itinerary includes a visit to Arches National Park, located about a ten-minute drive from Moab. The park’s 76,700 acres feature approximately 2,000 rock formations with evocative names like Tower of Babel, Fiery Furnace, and Landscape Arch. Key points of interest include the North Window arch in the Windows section and the iconic Delicate Arch, which has long inspired visitors and was famously described by writer and former park ranger Edward Abbey. Portions of the park served as filming locations for major films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Thelma and Louise.
Departing in the afternoon, the train continues on a historic route formerly used for uranium transport, heading toward the Utah-Colorado border and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The journey offers riders panoramic views of the La Sal Mountains and the surrounding Colorado wine country, concluding a multi-sensory exploration of the American West’s distinctive natural and cultural landscape.