Fall Train Rides Near Sacramento (2026 Guide)
There’s something special about a fall train ride as you chug along railroad tracks to pumpkin patches while passing by fall foliage. Luckily, in a city home to the California State Railroad Museum and rich in railroad history, families have their share of fall train rides in the Sacramento area, from West Sacramento to Folsom. There are even ones close enough for day trips.
Fall train rides can include special experiences like picking a pumpkin from an exclusive patch you can only reach by train. A few Halloween train rides are nearby, too. Fall train rides are some of the best fall activities in the Sacramento area for kids.
If your kids love trains and you want to do some early holiday planning, check out holiday train rides near Sacramento. Even though they might be a few months away, tickets begin to go on sale in the fall, and popular holiday train rides, like The Polar Express, sell out fast.
Sacramento Area Fall Train Rides
1. Pumpkin Patch Express — West Sacramento
Every Saturday & Sunday in October 2026 — Sacramento River Fox Train
For a unique fall experience, the Sacramento River Fox Train will be running the Pumpkin Patch Express every Saturday and Sunday in October. Families can climb aboard this impressive train ride along the Sacramento River in West Sacramento. Passengers will be taken to an exclusive pumpkin patch in partnership with Dave’s Pumpkin Patch, one of the best pumpkin patches in the Sacramento Area.
At the pumpkin patch, families will receive a cup of apple cider and a donut. Each ticketed guest can pick a pumpkin from the patch. Decorating stations and coloring sheets will also keep kids entertained. The Pumpkin Patch Express train ride is a 1-hour experience.
Tickets: $109 for standard tickets. Train ride is free for children ages 3 and under.
2. Pumpkin Patch Flyer — Folsom
Every Saturday & Sunday from October 3 – 19, 2026 — Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad
While the Pumpkin Patch Express aboard the River Fox Train is a fun fall experience, it can be pricey, as tickets typically cost around $100 per person. The Pumpkin Patch Flyer in Folsom is a much more affordable fall train ride in the Sacramento area.
On the Pumpkin Patch Flyer, you’ll board a historic rail car and take a short train ride to a pumpkin patch hidden in the woods. Each child gets to pick a pumpkin and take it home. There’s also a pumpkin decorating station. This is a relaxing fall outing, as you’re welcome to stay as long as you like and can board any returning rail car. Check out a preview of the Pumpkin Patch Flyer in my Instagram Reel.
Explore family-friendly nature trails and let kids toss rocks into a creek. Plus, you can ring a railroad bell and pump handcars down the tracks. The Pumpkin Patch Flyer is one of the best fall activities in Sacramento for kids.
➡️ The Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad also has one of the most affordable holiday train rides in the Sacramento area.
Tickets: Tickets are available for different departing time slots. In 2026, tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for children. Kids under 4 ride free and still receive a free pumpkin.
3. Pumpkin Patch Train — El Dorado
October 3, 10, & 17, 2026 — El Dorado Western Railroad
A lesser-known train ride for families in the Sacramento area is the El Dorado Western Railroad. During the first three Saturdays in October 2026, the El Dorado Western Railroad will run its annual Pumpkin Patch Train. This fall train ride will take you to a pumpkin patch where pumpkins are available for purchase for a separate fee.
Tickets for this train ride tend to sell out quickly. The 2026 Pumpkin Patch Train details haven’t been shared yet. I will update ticket information once it is announced!
Tickets: When 2026 information is available, the best place to view updates will be on the El Dorado Western Railway Fountain Facebook page.
4. Free Halloween Train Ride — Elk Grove
Opens Saturday, October 17, 2026 — Flying Black Cat Railroad
A FREE Halloween train ride?! Yes, you read that right. This train ride is fully created and run by a family in Elk Grove at 8765 Los Encantos Circle. They go all out each year with over-the-top decorations that will leave you shocked that this is someone’s yard. They run the train at night so you can get the full scope of all the lights. The Halloween decorations can be a little scary for younger kids, so beware of that before going on this one.
While the Halloween train ride is free for anyone to ride, it’s technically part of the Kiwanis Club of Laguna-Elk Grove’s Annual Halloween Home Tour, one of the top fall activities in Sacramento for families. For $10, you receive a map of decked-out homes in Elk Grove. Participants can then vote on their favorites. It’s probably no surprise that this home usually wins.
This beloved free Halloween train ride is one of the best fall activities in Elk Grove. The home is primarily known for its Halloween decor, but they also do a free holiday lights train ride. Check out my Instagram Reel of their amazing free holiday train ride in Elk Grove.
Tickets: FREE! No tickets required. Simply show up at the home during the train’s operating dates and times. The Flying Black Cat Railroad Facebook page is the best place for train updates.
5. El Dorado Orchards — Camino
Friday to Sunday starting September 18, 2026 — Apple Hill
Fall in Sacramento means a visit to Apple Hill. And if you’re looking for a fall train ride in Apple Hill, El Dorado Orchards has the only real train ride that runs on tracks with a conductor. It circles the perimeter of the farm, around ponds, and is one of the best Apple Hill farms to visit with kids.
➡️ Want more Apple Hill tips? Check out my ultimate guide to visiting Apple Hill with kids.
Tickets: Purchase tickets on-site at El Dorado Orchards. Tickets are $5 per person.
Fall Train Rides Worth the Drive
6. Pumpkin Patch Festival — Suisun City
October 11-12, 18-19, & 25-26, 2026 — Western Railway Museum
Less than an hour from Sacramento, families can check out the Pumpkin Patch Festival by taking a pumpkin train to the Gum Grove Farm pumpkin patch in Solano County. At the pumpkin patch, expect pumpkin chucking, a zipline, a hay fort, a petting zoo, tractor rides, and more fall fun. At only a 45-minute drive from Sacramento, this is a fun option for families looking for something a little different. Some activities do require an additional fee.
Tickets: Train tickets are $28 for adults and $20 for seniors and children ages 2+. Purchase tickets online.
7. Haunted Train — Fremont
October 16-18 & 23-25, 2026 — Ardenwood Historic Farm
Most fall train rides on this list run during the day, but the Haunted Train in the East Bay occurs at night. It might have the word “Haunted” in it, but it’s a family-friendly spooky train that won’t scare little ones. Eucalyptus woods will be decorated at Ardenwood Historic Farm, where you’ll encounter friendly characters and spooky scenes on this Halloween-themed train.
Tickets: $19.50 for ages 3+; Kids 2 and under ride free. Tickets available online.
8. Halloween Limited — Fish Camp
October 24-26, 2026 — Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
If you’re planning to visit Yosemite National Park in the fall, the Halloween Limited train ride on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad may align with your trip. The whole Halloween train experience lasts 3.5 hours and is longer than most fall train rides. However, it includes various activities such as trick-or-treating, gold panning, dinner at Yosemite Mountain Picnic Area, spooky storytelling in a forest, and, of course, a train ride.
Dinner includes a bratwurst with chips, coleslaw, and dessert. Kids will receive a hot dog instead of a bratwurst.
Tickets: $64 for adults and $43 for children ages 3+. Tickets available online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there pumpkin or Halloween train rides near Sacramento?
Yes! There are a handful of fall train rides in the Sacramento area. A few family-friendly Halloween train rides are nearby if you want to make it a longer day trip.
What’s the best fall train ride for younger kids near Sacramento?
The Pumpkin Patch Flyer in Folsom is ideal for younger kids since it’s one of the shorter fall train rides. Plus, kids get to pick out a pumpkin and decorate it. There are also nature trails for kids to get their wiggles out, and they’ll love throwing rocks in the nearby creek.
How much do Sacramento’s fall train rides cost?
Ticket costs vary per train. Some are in the $20 range, while others are pricier, in the $100 range.
Are any fall train rides in Sacramento free?
Yes! A home in Elk Grove operates a free Halloween train ride in its yard every year.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance for fall train rides?
Yes. Fall train rides are popular activities, and tickets sell quickly.
