Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad delays opening amid extreme drought, fire danger

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has put its Memorial Day weekend departure on hold, a sharp reminder that drought and wildfire risk are already rewriting Southwest bucket-list trips before summer even gets moving. The 64-mile steam line between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico, said its 2026 season will not start until June 9, after originally planning to open May 23.

The railroad announced the delay on May 19, citing severe drought conditions and elevated wildfire danger across southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. A Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission review is scheduled for June 2 to decide whether conditions have improved enough to safely begin operations. The railroad said the move was made out of an abundance of caution and that the safety of passengers, employees, communities, and the landscape remains its highest priority.

That caution lands hard for travelers who build whole summer itineraries around the line. The railroad describes itself as a National Historic Landmark and as the longest, highest, and most authentic steam railroad in North America, which makes the opening delay more than a schedule change. It is another example of how climate-driven disruption is starting to shape the most iconic Southwest experiences before anyone has even packed a bag.

Guests with affected reservations are being contacted directly about rebooking options or refunds. KRQE News 13 reported the railroad hoped to be open by June 9, and KOAT noted that passengers had already been contacted as the railroad waited for the June 2 conditions review. That puts planning pressure squarely on travelers who locked in Memorial Day weekend around the Antonito-to-Chama run and now need a backup for the start of summer.

The timing is especially fraught because New Mexico officials have also warned of persistent dry conditions and high fire danger heading into Memorial Day weekend. For a route that runs through the Rockies and high desert, including the dramatic Toltec Gorge, the delay is a window into what 2026 travel is starting to look like across the Southwest: less certainty, more flexibility, and a lot more attention to what the land is telling operators before the first train ever rolls.