Canyon Spirit Experience | Dream by Luxury Escapes

From TikTok reels to luxury itineraries, train travel is having a serious moment. It’s being rediscovered for what it does best: slow us down, connect us to landscapes, and allow us to travel with purpose. This revival is on full display aboard Canyon Spirit, the new American route from the Rocky Mountaineer group based in Canada. Launching in April of 2026, it offers a three-day itinerary from Denver to Salt Lake City and back via overnights in Moab and Glenwood Springs.

Here’s why travellers are once again leaning into life on the rails.

Slow travel is the new luxury

In a world obsessed with getting things done, the real indulgence is taking your time. Canyon Spirit’s daylight-only journeys let passengers absorb every sandstone spire and river’s curve. “We’re seeing a shift in what luxury means,” says Steve Sammut, CEO of Rocky Mountaineer. “It’s less about opulence and more about experience and storytelling.” Instead of rushing through, guests watch the American West unfold like a living diorama.

Train travel is more sustainable

Rail has a significantly lower carbon footprint than flying or driving, and travellers are paying attention. According to the International Energy Agency, trains emit up to 80% less CO₂ per passenger kilometre than planes. Canyon Spirit taps into this shift, offering a scenic alternative to domestic flights, especially meaningful on a route that runs through such fragile and iconic terrain. The train’s lighter environmental impact allows guests to witness scenic splendour without contributing to its undoing.

Comfort wears the crown

Airports are stressful. Legroom is at a premium. On Canyon Spirit, comfort is designed into the journey. Recliner-style seats, panoramic windows, and chef-prepared meals make the experience feel more boutique hotel than public transport. I’m aboard a preview tour, and I can tell you from experience, there isn’t a bad seat or a restricted view on this train. There are no sleeper cabins; instead, guests disembark each night for character-filled hotel stays, and passengers never touch their own luggage. It magically appears in your room prior to your arrival, and is whisked away to the train after you check out.

Train passage is more experiential than ever

Long gone are the days when the rail was simply a way to get from point A to point B. Today’s train treks are curated experiences. Canyon Spirit includes dedicated onboard hosts who narrate the geology and history of the landscapes passing by. Highlights for me? Spotting the coyote pup who ran alongside the train for a short while, being ‘mooned’ by adventurous rafters on the Colorado River, and simply doing nothing but watching the tracks take us to the next gobsmacking view of nature’s most epic rock collection. As Rocky Mountaineer’s marketing lead, Monica Spencer puts it, “This isn’t transit. It’s theatre.”

People want something different

Travellers are constantly chasing novelty and authenticity, and riding the rails offers both. The lack of WiFi at some stretches? Refreshing. Canyon Spirit answers the growing appetite for something off-script yet cinematic. No rental car stress, no airport security, just wall-to-wall windows and slow kilometres. Here, you can be as communal or as solitary as you want to be.

The author travelled as a guest of Canyon Spirit. Image credit: Canyon Spirit, supplied.