Cripple Creek Train Ride: Our Honest Review & Helpful Tip

When we first saw the Cripple Creek train, I wondered if it was mostly a kiddie ride. The little steam engine looked like a real-life Thomas the Tank Engine, and the trip lasts only about 45 minutes. I wasn’t sure whether two adults would find it interesting.

I ended up loving it. The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad is short, simple, and a little rough around the edges, but that is part of its charm. We watched the engineer shovel coal into the firebox, smelled the steam and smoke, and rode past old mining structures with pretty views across the hills.

I’m Cheryl, and my husband, Matt, and I rode the train during an August trip through Colorado. We paid for our own tickets, and this article is not sponsored. Here is what the ride was like, who I think will enjoy it, and the things I would want to know before going.

Cripple Creek Train Ride Quick Facts

The railroad currently lists tickets at $21 for adults, $19 for seniors over 65, $14 for children ages 3–12, and free for children two and younger. Departures are posted every 70 minutes from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Prices, dates, and departures can change, so check the official Cripple Creek railroad website before making the drive.

Our Cripple Creek Train Ride, Step by Step

1. Start at the Little Depot

The depot is right at the end of the main street, which makes the whole visit feel pretty straightforward. Parking was free and easy when we visited. We walked up, bought tickets for the next departure, and had time to look around.

Give yourself a few minutes inside the gift shop. We thought the selection was surprisingly nice, especially the stuffed-animal donkeys—a fitting souvenir for a town known for its donkeys. We also picked up popcorn and a Diet Dr Pepper for the ride, and the snacks felt reasonably priced compared with what we have seen at other Colorado train attractions.

2. Choose Your Seat in an Open-Air Car

Our train had an engine and three passenger cars, so choosing the wrong car would not put you very far from the action. We rode in an open-air car with a roof, which gave us shade without blocking the fresh air. The wooden benches faced outward toward the scenery rather than forward toward the engine, and we liked spending the ride looking directly at the things we came to see.

The side closest to the old mining structures was my favorite on the outbound ride, while the other side had wider views across the valley. The train reverses for the return, so both sides get a different perspective. I would care more about sitting near the engine and having a shaded seat than finding the perfect side.

3. Watch the Steam Engine at Work

If we rode again, we would pick the front car again. From there, we could watch coal being shoveled into the firebox and see the orange glow inside. We had not had that same close-up view on our other Colorado train rides, and it was one of our favorite parts.

Then there are the sounds and smells. We loved the steam-engine smell, the smoke, the clanking metal, and the feeling of riding behind a working locomotive. There is a trade-off: soot had collected on the posts and railings, and touching them left our hands dirty. I thought that was part of the experience, but you might feel differently if you are wearing a new white shirt.

4. Look for the Mining Remnants

The old mining structures were the biggest surprise for us. We expected scenery, but we really enjoyed spotting weathered wooden buildings, headframes, equipment, and mine dumps along the hillsides. The route also crosses a reconstructed wooden trestle near Poverty Gulch, where Bob Womack’s 1890 gold discovery helped launch the Cripple Creek mining boom.

When we bought our tickets, we received an illustrated route map. Keep that map handy during the ride. It helped us follow the narration and understand what we were seeing instead of simply thinking, “There’s another old building.”

Our conductor stopped the train three times to point things out and tell stories. He talked about the town’s mining past, Bob Womack’s gold discovery, and the fires that reshaped Cripple Creek. The narration gave the old remains context and added a lot to the ride.

5. Listen for the Whistle at Echo Valley

Echo Valley was a highlight. The engineer stopped and blew the whistle, and on the clear day we rode, the sound kept coming back through the valley. We thought the valley itself was pretty, too, with aspens, ponderosa pines, canyon walls, and views across the hills.

This ride gives you a mix of scenery and history rather than one uninterrupted mountain panorama. That variety worked well for us. The train is a little rough and loud on its two-foot narrow-gauge track, but those sounds and movements made it feel like a real steam-train experience.

6. Enjoy the Return to Cripple Creek

The train reverses and heads back to the depot, giving you changing perspectives along the way. We noticed quite a few aspens, which made us think this could be especially pretty in fall. We have not ridden it during fall colors, though, so that is a reason we would consider returning rather than something we can promise from our own visit.

The entire trip takes only about 45 minutes, which I consider a strength. It is long enough to enjoy the engine, scenery, and history, but it does not take over your whole day. We still had plenty of time to visit other Cripple Creek attractions before and after the ride.

Planning a Trip to Colorado? Copy Our 7‑Day Road Trip

Get our done‑for‑you, 7‑14 day route with exact drives, maps, and must‑see stops
so you don’t waste time in traffic or miss the best views

*Day‑by‑day plans for Colorado’s national parks and mountain towns
*Details you need: best activities, hikes, drives, and where to sleep each night to reduce backtracking
*Best Friend Guarantee: Love it or get your money back

Get the Colorado Bundle

What to Wear and Bring

Cripple Creek sits at nearly 9,500 feet, and the open cars can feel cool even when the sun is warm at the depot. Bring a jacket or sweater, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water. The covered car protected us from direct sun, but it did not block wind or changing mountain weather.

I would also wear clothes that can handle a little soot. Coal cinders and grime can collect on the railings, and touching one left our hands dirty. A wipe or hand sanitizer would have been useful, and I would not choose this day to wear a new white shirt.

Is the Train Good for Kids?

Yes. The railroad calls this a family ride, and I think that is exactly right. The engine is small and colorful enough to delight a child who loves Thomas the Tank Engine, while the mining stories, machinery, and scenery give adults something to enjoy.

The short length also works well for children who may not want to sit through a two- or three-hour excursion. There are no restrooms or concessions aboard, so take care of those needs before boarding.

Accessibility and Dogs

The railroad says it can accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility needs with help from the staff. We did not see a modern mechanical lift or ramp, so call before buying tickets and describe the assistance you need. The crew can then explain the boarding process and help you decide whether it will work for your group.

Well-behaved leashed dogs were allowed when we visited. We saw plenty of happy people enjoying the ride with their doggo. Policies can change, so confirm with the railroad before your trip.

What to Do Near the Train

The ride’s short length makes it easy to spend a couple more hours exploring the town of Cripple Creek.

My first choice would be the free Cripple Creek Heritage Center, which has three floors of excellent exhibits about the area, mining, fossils, and the Mollie Kathleen Mine. Its huge windows also have terrific views across the valley, and I would allow at least an hour.

The Cripple Creek District Museum is immediately beside the railroad, so it is convenient if you have time before or after departure. We found its collection interesting but somewhat disjointed, and we preferred the Heritage Center’s clearer story.

You may also see Cripple Creek’s famous donkeys around town. You can even feed them. Just make sure it’s the approved pellets sold locally. Apples and carrots can cause problems for their digestive system.

If you are continuing toward Victor, add Rita the Rock Planter to your day. This enormous troll sculpture was one of our favorite surprises in the area, and the upper parking area also has good views and mining displays. It gives you a very different experience from the train without requiring a long hike.

Is the Cripple Creek Train Worth It?

Yes, I think the Cripple Creek train is worth it if you want a short, affordable, family-friendly steam ride. It does not have the huge scenery or all-day adventure of the Durango & Silverton Railroad, and it is not trying to. This is a small, uncomplicated ride that lets you watch a coal-fired engine work and see pieces of Colorado’s gold-mining history.

What I remember most is the fire in the engine, the smell of the steam and ponderosa pines, the old structures on the hillsides, and the whistle echoing through the valley. I went in expecting something mainly for children and came away thinking it was delightful. For us, 45 minutes felt just right, and I would happily ride it again.