Take a Fall Color Train Ride Through the St. Croix Valley: Minnesota’s Perfect Autumn Day Trip
There’s something about fall that makes me want to do things I wouldn’t even think about doing in July.
Drive around looking at trees?
Absolutely.
Spend an entire afternoon at an apple orchard?
Of course.
Pay money to sit on a train for 90 minutes just so I can stare out the window?
Apparently, yes.
And honestly?
This one might be worth it.
Every fall, the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway offers scenic Fall Colors Train rides through one of the prettiest areas near the Twin Cities.
You’ll climb aboard a vintage passenger train at the historic Osceola Depot in Wisconsin and travel through the St. Croix River Valley toward Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota.
Along the way, you’ll see wooded hillsides, river views and the brilliant reds, oranges and golds that make Minnesota and western Wisconsin so beautiful in autumn.
And unlike driving around looking for fall color, nobody has to keep their eyes on the road.
Here’s everything you need to know about taking the St. Croix Valley Fall Colors Train in 2026.
Where Does the Fall Colors Train Leave From?
Let’s clear this up first because this area can get confusing.
The Fall Colors Train does not depart from Taylors Falls.
It departs from the historic Osceola Depot at:
114 Depot Road
Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
Osceola is just across the Minnesota-Wisconsin border and makes an easy day trip from the Twin Cities.
The railway is operated by the Minnesota Transportation Museum, which makes the whole Minnesota/Wisconsin situation even more confusing.
But all you really need to remember is:
Drive to Osceola to board the train.
Where Does the Train Go?
The Fall Colors Train travels from Osceola toward Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota, before returning to the Osceola Depot.
The entire trip covers approximately 20 miles round trip and takes about:
90 minutes.
You do not get off the train in Marine on St. Croix.
This is a scenic round-trip experience rather than transportation between the two towns.
So get comfortable, find a good window and enjoy the ride.
What Makes This Train Ride So Beautiful?
Location.
The St. Croix River Valley is already one of my favorite places in the region during fall.
The landscape is filled with:
- Hardwood forests
- River bluffs
- Rolling hills
- St. Croix River views
- Brilliant maples
- Historic towns
- Rural scenery
Now imagine seeing all of that from a vintage train.
There are sections of the railway where you’ll see scenery you simply can’t experience the same way from a car.
Instead of watching traffic and trying to find somewhere to pull over, you can sit back and watch the landscape go by.
That alone makes this a different kind of leaf-peeping adventure.
You’ll Ride in Vintage Passenger Cars
This isn’t a modern commuter train.
The Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway operates restored vintage passenger equipment.
That gives the trip an entirely different atmosphere.
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about sitting inside an old passenger car while traveling through the countryside.
Kids get the excitement of riding a real train.
Adults get the scenery.
Train enthusiasts get the historic equipment.
And Mom gets 90 minutes where nobody is asking her to drive anywhere.
Everybody wins.
When Does the Fall Colors Train Run in 2026?
Fall train rides begin in September and continue into October.
Because fall colors change from year to year depending on weather conditions, there isn’t one magical date when the entire St. Croix Valley suddenly turns orange.
Early-season rides may have a mixture of green and changing leaves.
Late September typically brings more noticeable color.
October is generally the prime leaf-peeping period.
And by late October, some trees may already be bare.
That’s part of the gamble—and fun—of fall in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Nature refuses to consult our calendars.
When Is the Best Time to See Fall Colors?
If your main goal is peak color, I’d aim for late September through the middle portion of October.
But remember that peak color varies every year.
Temperature.
Rainfall.
Wind.
Cold snaps.
All of those things affect how quickly leaves change and how long they stay on the trees.
A big windy storm can also remove a lot of leaves very quickly.
As your trip approaches, check the current Minnesota and Wisconsin fall-color reports.
Then cross your fingers.
Book Popular October Weekends Early
Here’s one thing I would not procrastinate on.
Fall-color weekends around the St. Croix Valley get busy.
Very busy.
Especially when the forecast is beautiful and the leaves are near peak.
The railway recommends advance reservations, and peak October rides can sell out.
If you’re trying to coordinate four or five people and want a particular departure time, don’t wait until Friday night to decide you want Saturday tickets.
Book ahead.
How Much Does the Fall Colors Train Cost?
Ticket prices vary by age.
Current 2026 pricing starts in the $40 range for adults, with reduced pricing for seniors, military members, children and toddlers.
Family bundles may also be available.
Because pricing and availability can change, I’d check the railway’s current booking calendar before making plans.
Infants who qualify under the railway’s current policy can ride on an adult’s lap.
Arrive Early
Don’t roll into the parking lot three minutes before departure.
The railway asks passengers to arrive approximately:
30 minutes before departure.
Tickets are handled through will call at the Osceola Depot.
You’ll give your name at the ticket window and receive your boarding passes.
Then you’ll board your assigned train.
And here’s a cute detail:
Your boarding pass gets punched after you’re seated.
Keep it.
It’s a fun little souvenir from your fall adventure.
There’s Free Parking at the Depot
Parking is available next to and below the historic Osceola Depot.
There’s no need to arrange separate transportation to the train.
That makes this a pretty simple day trip.
Drive to Osceola.
Park.
Get your boarding passes.
Ride the train.
Explore afterward.
Done.
Bring Your Camera
This is one of those outings where you’ll regret leaving your phone in your bag.
There are beautiful views throughout the trip.
Fall foliage.
Historic train cars.
River scenery.
Wooded hillsides.
Vintage railway details.
And plenty of opportunities for family pictures.
If you’re using an open-window car or photographing between cars where permitted, you’ll have even more opportunities to capture the scenery.
Just remember you’re on an operating train.
Follow crew instructions and don’t lean or reach into unsafe areas for a photograph.
No Instagram picture is worth becoming part of the railway’s safety briefing.
There Are Snacks and Drinks Onboard
You don’t necessarily need to pack snacks for the ride.
The train has refreshments available for purchase, including:
- Bottled water
- Soft drinks
- Snacks
Beer and wine are also available.
Which means adults can potentially sip a drink while watching the fall colors roll by.
That sounds like an extremely civilized way to spend an October afternoon.
You Can Bring Some Food With You
The railway currently allows small coolers.
If you want to bring a few snacks for the kids or something specific for dietary needs, you have that option.
Just remember this is a 90-minute ride.
You probably don’t need to pack like you’re crossing the Oregon Trail.
A drink and a few snacks should get everyone through.
What Should You Wear?
Layers.
Always layers.
It’s fall in the Upper Midwest.
The temperature at 11 a.m. can have absolutely no relationship with the temperature at 3 p.m.
Some passenger cars are heated.
Others may have windows that open so guests can enjoy fresh air and better views.
I’d wear:
- Comfortable shoes
- Jeans or comfortable pants
- T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt
- Sweatshirt or sweater
- Light jacket
- Warmer coat later in the season
If you’re taking an open-window ride on a chilly October day, a blanket wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
Is the Fall Colors Train Good for Kids?
Absolutely.
This is an all-ages experience.
Kids who love trains are obviously going to be thrilled.
But even kids who aren’t obsessed with trains can enjoy the novelty of climbing aboard a vintage passenger car.
And 90 minutes is a pretty manageable length.
It’s long enough to feel like an adventure without turning into:
“Are we there yet?”
for four consecutive hours.
For younger kids, bring a small activity or snack in case the scenery doesn’t hold their attention for the entire trip.
Teenagers Might Actually Like This Too
Hear me out.
This isn’t just a little-kid train ride.
The scenery is beautiful.
There are plenty of opportunities for photos.
The vintage train itself is cool.
And you can combine the ride with several other fall activities in the St. Croix Valley.
Give your teen a camera.
Let them get pictures.
Grab coffee afterward.
Explore one of the nearby towns.
Turn it into an actual day trip rather than presenting it as:
“We’re going to ride a choo-choo today!”
Presentation matters.
This Would Make a Great Fall Date
No kids required.
A fall train ride through the St. Croix Valley could make an adorable October date.
Grab coffee before the ride.
Take the train.
Enjoy the scenery.
Have a drink onboard.
Then go out for dinner afterward.
It’s relaxed enough that you can actually talk to each other.
And you don’t have to spend the entire date pretending you aren’t terrified while someone chases you through a haunted cornfield.
We have Scream Town for that.
Is the Train Accessible?
The railway does offer accessibility accommodations, but this is historic equipment built long before current ADA standards.
A lift is available for specific train doors.
However, doorways and passageways between vintage cars can be narrow and uneven.
Guests using wheelchairs or scooters may not be able to move freely between all of the train cars once onboard.
There is an accessible restroom in the concession car, and accessible restrooms are also available at the Osceola Depot.
If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, scooter or has difficulty boarding, contact the railway before your trip so they can explain the current setup and help you plan.
Can You Get Off in Marine on St. Croix?
No.
This is something I’d want readers to know before planning their day.
The train travels toward Marine on St. Croix, but passengers don’t disembark there to shop or explore.
The village itself is about half a mile away and down a steep hill from where the train reaches the area.
So don’t make lunch reservations in Marine assuming you’re hopping off the train.
You’ll return to Osceola before continuing your day.
Explore Downtown Osceola After the Ride
Don’t immediately get into the car and head home.
Spend a little time exploring Osceola.
Grab coffee.
Find lunch.
Browse the shops.
Take some fall pictures.
And enjoy being in a small St. Croix Valley town during one of the prettiest times of the year.
This is especially easy if you take a morning or early-afternoon train.
Then Head Toward Taylors Falls
This is where I think we can turn a 90-minute train ride into an amazing Minnesota fall day.
After the train, drive toward Taylors Falls.
The Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls area is spectacular during fall.
You’re close enough that it makes sense to combine the experiences rather than treating them as completely separate trips.
And there is plenty to do.
Visit Interstate State Park
If you only add one thing to your fall train day, make it Interstate State Park.
The park sits along the St. Croix River at Taylors Falls and is known for its dramatic basalt cliffs, river gorge and glacial potholes.
During fall?
It’s gorgeous.
Walk some of the shorter trails.
Explore the pothole area.
Look over the St. Croix River.
Take pictures.
And enjoy the fall colors from an entirely different perspective.
First you saw them from a train.
Now you’re standing above the river surrounded by them.
Take a Scenic Boat Ride
Depending on the date and seasonal schedule, you could also check whether Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours are operating.
The paddlewheel boats travel through the dramatic St. Croix River gorge.
That means you can potentially see the valley three different ways in one day:
By train.
By trail.
By boat.
Now that’s a fall day trip.
Make a Fall Day-Trip Itinerary
If I were planning this outing, I’d do something like this:
Morning
Drive to Osceola.
Grab coffee.
Arrive at the depot 30 minutes before departure.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon
Ride the Fall Colors Train.
Enjoy the scenery.
Take way too many pictures.
Lunch
Grab lunch in Osceola or head toward Taylors Falls.
Afternoon
Explore Interstate State Park.
Walk the glacial potholes.
Take in the river views.
Late Afternoon
Explore Taylors Falls or St. Croix Falls.
Grab a treat or coffee.
If schedules line up, consider a scenic boat cruise.
Evening
Head home through the St. Croix Valley as the sun starts going down.
That sounds like a pretty fantastic Minnesota fall day to me.
Don’t Forget the Apple Orchards
If your family is determined to squeeze every possible fall activity into one day, there are also orchards and farm experiences throughout the St. Croix Valley.
You could potentially add:
Apple picking.
Cider.
Donuts.
Pumpkins.
Farm markets.
At some point you may need to acknowledge that there are only so many hours in a Saturday.
But I respect the ambition.
Is the St. Croix Valley Fall Colors Train Worth It?
I think so—especially if you’re looking for something different from the usual pumpkin patch and apple orchard.
The train gives you a perspective on the St. Croix Valley that you can’t get from driving.
You’re riding aboard historic equipment.
Nobody has to navigate.
Everyone gets to look out the window.
And the 90-minute duration makes it easy to combine with other fall activities.
That’s what really makes this one work for me.
It’s an attraction.
But it can also become the centerpiece of an entire fall day trip.
Add the Fall Colors Train to Your Minnesota Fall Bucket List
Minnesota and Wisconsin share one of the prettiest fall destinations in the Midwest.
The St. Croix River Valley is filled with wooded bluffs, historic towns, scenic parks and spectacular fall color.
And one of the most unusual ways to see it is from the window of a vintage passenger train.
So this fall, drive across the river to Osceola.
Climb aboard the Fall Colors Train.
Find a good window.
Put your phone down for at least a few minutes.
And watch the St. Croix Valley turn red, orange and gold outside your window.
Then head to Taylors Falls and keep exploring.
Because fall doesn’t last very long around here.
We might as well make the most of it.
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