Georgetown Loop Railroad
The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a historic narrow-gauge railroad between Georgetown and Silver Plume, Colorado, famous for the Devil’s Gate High Bridge.
Georgetown Loop Railroad in Georgetown, CO
Georgetown and Silver Plume sit only about two miles apart on I-70, but more than 600 feet of elevation separate them. In the 1880s that was too steep for a locomotive to climb in a straight line, so engineers looped the track back and forth up the side of Clear Creek Canyon, crossing over itself on the Devil’s Gate High Bridge. Today you ride the same route behind historic steam and diesel locomotives, in open-air coaches or enclosed parlor cars, while the train creaks over the trestle roughly 100 feet above the creek. Old mine dumps and headframes dot the slopes, and bighorn sheep often graze on the canyon walls near the Georgetown end.
The line opened in 1884 to haul silver ore and passengers from the mining camps above Georgetown, and the Loop became one of the most-photographed pieces of railroading in the West before it was abandoned and scrapped in the late 1930s. The Colorado Historical Society, now History Colorado, rebuilt the route, and the reconstructed Devil’s Gate High Bridge reopened in 1984. Today the railroad runs from the Devil’s Gate Depot in Georgetown and, in summer, from the depot in Silver Plume.
Photo Gallery
News & Events
See seasonal excursions and themed trains on the Georgetown Loop Railroad website for Georgetown, CO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at the Georgetown Loop Railroad?
- Train ride: Ride the historic narrow-gauge route between Georgetown and Silver Plume over the Devil’s Gate High Bridge.
- Silver mine tour: Add a guided tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine at the midway stop on select summer trains.
- Parlor car seats: Upgrade from open-air coach seating to an enclosed parlor car with snacks.
- Themed trains: Book seasonal rides such as fall color trains, holiday trains and family event weekends.
- Wildlife watching: Look for bighorn sheep on the cliffs around Georgetown.
What is nearby the Georgetown Loop Railroad?
- Georgetown: A preserved Victorian silver town with shops, restaurants and the Hotel de Paris Museum.
- Guanella Pass Scenic Byway: A high mountain road south of town known for fall aspens and fourteener trailheads.
- Georgetown Lake: A reservoir at the edge of town for fishing, picnics and wildlife viewing.
- Silver Plume: A tiny mining town with historic buildings at the west end of the line.
- Idaho Springs: A mining town on I-70 with hot springs and gold mine tours.
When was the Georgetown Loop Railroad established?
The line was completed in 1884 to serve the silver mines between Georgetown and Silver Plume. It was abandoned and dismantled in the late 1930s. The Colorado Historical Society rebuilt the route, and the reconstructed Devil’s Gate High Bridge was completed in 1984, bringing the full loop back into service.
When is the Georgetown Loop Railroad open?
The 2026 season opened on March 20, with regular trains through fall and holiday trains in winter. The Silver Plume depot is only open from late May through mid-October; the Devil’s Gate Depot in Georgetown serves the rest of the year. Fares vary by date, season and class of service, so check the date you want on the booking page. Book ahead for weekends, holidays and fall color season, and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
Are there any tips for visiting the Georgetown Loop Railroad?
Sit on the creek side for the best bridge views, and bring a jacket. The open-air coaches get cold at 9,000 feet, even in summer. Late September usually brings peak gold aspens to the canyon. Pair the ride with lunch in Georgetown’s historic downtown, a few minutes from the depot. For a full-day steam adventure in southwest Colorado, see the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad’s Devil’s Gate Depot is located at 646 Loop Drive, Georgetown, CO 80444. Call (888) 456-6777 or visit georgetownlooprr.com for tickets.