If you are getting ready for a Canyon Spirit trip through Colorado and Utah, a good packing list takes the guesswork out of it, and what you bring changes a lot with the season. I put together a free, printable Canyon Spirit packing list for spring, summer, and fall, so you can grab the one that matches your travel dates.
I am Donnetta Byrd, a travel advisor, and these are the lists I actually give my travelers for the Southwest, built around the real swings in high-country and desert weather. Pick your season below.
Mild, sunny afternoons with cold high-country mornings and dry desert wind. Layers, a windbreaker, sun protection, and hydration.
Download the list (PDF)Big desert heat and strong sun around Moab, cooler high-country mornings, and the odd monsoon storm. Packed hard for sun, heat, and water.
Download the list (PDF)Warm afternoons and properly cold mornings, with as much as a 40-degree swing in a day. Layers, sun protection, and a swimsuit for the hot springs.
Download the list (PDF)The Canyon Spirit runs through Colorado's high country and Utah's red rock country, where the weather is a study in extremes and the season really matters. Spring brings mild, pleasant afternoons in Moab with cold mornings up in the high country and dry, gusty wind, so you want layers, a windbreaker, and real sun protection. Summer is the season to pack seriously: afternoons in Moab can climb into the 90s and 100s with intense sun, while mornings stay cooler at elevation, and July and August can bring sudden monsoon thunderstorms. That means light breathable clothing, a wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen, electrolytes, and more water than you think you need.
Fall is comfortable and popular, with warm afternoons and cold mornings and as much as a 40-degree swing in a single day. Across every season the dry air is the constant, so hydration, lip balm, and lotion always make the list. You overnight in real hotels in Glenwood Springs and Moab, so pack a swimsuit for the Glenwood Hot Springs, and bring broken-in shoes for time near Arches and Canyonlands.
This is a domestic trip, so you need a photo ID rather than a passport. One more tip: Denver sits a mile high, so if you are sensitive to altitude, bring whatever helps you and take the first day easy.
No. The Canyon Spirit is a domestic US trip through Colorado and Utah, so a photo ID is all you need.
How hot does it get in summer?Afternoons in Moab can reach the 90s and 100s in summer, while the Colorado high country stays cooler, especially in the morning. Plan hikes for early in the day and carry water everywhere.
What should I not forget?A swimsuit for the Glenwood Hot Springs, a refillable water bottle, sun protection, and broken-in shoes for the red rock. Lip balm and lotion help with the dry air.
Is there a dress code onboard?No formalwear needed. Smart-casual works for dinners. The focus is comfort as you move between the train, hotels, and excursions.
Heading to the Canadian Rockies instead? See the Rocky Mountaineer packing lists.
← Canyon SpiritIf a Canyon Spirit trip through Colorado and Utah is on your list, I would love to help you plan it, from your starting city to the hotels and the days near Arches and Canyonlands.
Book a consultation