Exploring the Yosemite area? Hop aboard this scenic train ride, USA Today says
Looking for the best way to explore the area around Yosemite National Park? Try hopping aboard a steam locomotive.
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is among the railways offering the top 10 scenic train rides in the United States in 2024, according to USA Today readers.
The Yosemite railroad was No. 9 on the publication’s list, released May 22.
It was one of two Northern California railroads ranked by USA Today readers. California Western Railroad, known as the Skunk Train, in Fort Bragg landed at No. 5.
“Sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination,” USA Today said. “Such is the case for passengers who step aboard these 10 trains ... offering beautiful scenery and memorable rides.”
What is Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad?
Run by the Stauffer family since the 1960s, Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad specializes in steam locomotive rides through the Sierra National Forest on old logging tracks.
In addition to daily one-hour train excursions, the railroad offers special trips and events including the Moonlight Special, featuring a barbecue dinner, a train ride and a campfire sing-a-long hosted by the Sugar Pine Singers.
“A host of specialty themed trains — like a jazz train, a Moonlight Melodrama train, and a Halloween train — make trips on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad a memorable experience,” USA Today said.
Trains depart from Fish Camp along Highway 41 in Mariposa County from April through November.
Sierra National Forest isn’t technically part of Yosemite National Park but lies adjacent to the southern part of the park.
What are the top 10 scenic train rides in the US?
These are the 10 best scenic train rides to take in the nation, according to USA Today:
- Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Durango, Colorado
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Antonito, Colorado
- East Broad Top Railroad in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, North Carolina
- Skunk Train in Fort Bragg
- Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Blue Ridge, Georgia
- Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Cumberland, Maryland
- Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs, Colorado
- Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
- Georgetown Loop Railroad in Georgetown, Colorado
How did USA Today come up with rankings?
To come up with USA Today’s Best 10 Readers’ Choice Awards for 2024, a panel of experts selected nominees across a number of categories.
The publication’s readers then voted for their favorites.
USA Today ranked the best campgrounds for recreational vehicles, luxury RV resorts, national park lodges, vintage trailer hotels, roadside motels and glamping spots in the nation.
Gas stations, rental car companies and roadside attractions also got top 10 lists.
This story was originally published May 28, 2024 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Exploring the Yosemite area? Hop aboard this scenic train ride, USA Today says."
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly implied that Sierra National Forest is part of Yosemite National Park. The forest lies adjacent to the southern part of the park. The story has been clarified.
