We had a group of 15 - ranging in age from 4 to 54, and every one of us had a fabulous time! It was fun, informative, thrilling, and safe all at the same time! Thank you, Skunk Train! We will be back! read more

The Excursion: We did the Skunk Train Rail Bikes, and it ended up being such a memorable experience. This is a 24-mile ride--about 12 miles out and 12 miles back--on electrically assisted rail bikes. There are several trip options, and we chose the longer one. The route winds through the forest, alongside and over the Noyo River, with beautiful views of redwoods, pines, and peaceful stretches of nature. You cruise at a comfortable 9-12 mph pace, which feels just right: not too fast, not too slow, and perfect for taking in the surroundings. The bikes let you provide the level of effort you want to put in as the peddle assist is simply amazing. It all depends on how much effort you want put in, so don't let the peddling intimidate you. Our tour was full, meaning all available bikes were booked, but it never felt crowded. The team spaces each bike out, so every group gets its own personal experience, and that worked really well. You do travel together in a few spots, but there is still plenty of room to enjoy the ride at your own pace. There are several stops along the way where the guides share history, point out interesting details about the trees and plant life, and give everyone time to enjoy the forest. There is also enough time to step away briefly and enjoy the quiet, whether by yourself, with your partner, or with your group. Our guides were incredibly friendly, helpful, and happy to answer questions. They shared great information and personal experiences that made the tour even more enjoyable. The lunch provided was also better than expected: a deli-style lunch with a good-sized sandwich, chips, water, soda, and a snack. They even let us keep the reusable lunch bag, which was a nice touch. It did not feel like an afterthought. You meet at what first seems like a random location, where the group checks in with one of the guides. From there, everyone hikes down a switchback trail to the railroad and rail bikes. The trail is narrow but manageable for most people going down. Just keep in mind that you will hike back up the same trail at the end of the tour, so anyone with physical limitations should plan accordingly. Once you reach the starting area, the guides give a quick overview of how to operate the rail bikes and make any needed adjustments before heading out. When the tour begins, a lead guide starts out front while each bike leaves at timed intervals to keep everyone comfortably spread out. A second guide follows from the rear. Along the way, you stop several times, including at a railroad crossing and at the final destination where everyone has lunch before heading back. The return ride feels just as special as the ride out. It is a great time to relax, settle into the ride, and enjoy the quiet sounds of the bike and forest. If the tour is full, plan for it to take up most of your day. In my opinion, a larger tour actually makes the experience even better because you get the privacy of your own ride while still having chances to chat with the guides and other visitors at each stop. Our guides were Atlas and Travis, and they were absolutely wonderful. They were friendly, helpful, and made the whole experience feel easy and welcoming. We cannot say enough good things about them. Talk with them for a few minutes and you will know exactly what I mean. Overall: There is simply no better way to enjoy this environment than by rail bike. The experience was even more enjoyable than we expected, and I genuinely think everyone should try it. I have seen other rail bike tours that travel through open hills, but the Skunk Train offers something truly unique. Riding beneath the canopy of trees, following the Noyo River, crossing old bridges, and feeling immersed in such a beautiful setting made this tour unforgettable. Atlas and Travis really put the cherry on top. They kept everyone engaged, entertained, and comfortable throughout the day, and their friendly approach made the tour feel less like a business transaction and more like spending time with good company. They worked hard, made the experience special, and absolutely deserved more than the standard tip. We highly recommend this tour and would happily encourage anyone visiting the area to give it a try. read more

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Everything was great. Reasonably priced. Very clean, new looking venue with fire pits and s'mores available for purchase. Trains are well kept and clean. Very fun evening/night activity. Also pet friendly. Very nice staff! read more

Booked the Railbikes on the Noyo package for the last Sunday in July. The pre-arrival instructions in the email were clear, which includes a helpful safety video. The only thing I wish they had at the meetup area/parking lot was a physical example of the storage basket on the bikes so that people could get a visual on what they could fit on there and have an opportunity to stash some items back in their car if it wouldn't fit. Customer service is top notch because they are responsive via phone and ensured that we got our lunch order in. Our guides Travis and Atlas were amazing and the confidence in their work really showed. I didn't realize their commentary during the experience was scripted (down to the jokes!) until I caught a repeat joke made, but I actually appreciate Skunk Train's efforts on consistent customer experience. The Railbikes on the Noyo experience is definitely a splurge, but I think it's worth the spend considering it's essentially a full day excursion and includes a sack lunch (you get to keep the lunchbox and the most adorable pin). We were in a rush heading back up the hill since it ran a tad late, so we unfortunately didn't realize we had left our lunchbags (with the pins still inside!) on our bike seats until we were long gone. My boyfriend reached out to Skunk Train regarding replacements and thankfully they were so understanding. Unfortunately he forgot to ask about the pins too so I am absolutely still devastated about that. Overall, I had a fantastic experience. Skunk Train also offers other excursions including shorter and more affordable options, but I'm glad I chose the Railbikes on the Noyo because it's perfect for couples and the amount of time spent on the rail was just enough and satisfying. read more

We were in Fort Bragg and decided to check this place out. It's a little slice of heaven. That's the best way I can describe it. We got on the first train there and sat one of the fire pits. There was live music, beer and food being served. We got to chat with people visiting from all over. We had a fun and relaxing time. 10 out of 10 would do this again! read more

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This is an activity you can do in Mendocino / Fort Bragg. You pay $64 per adult to ride a train for an hour. Going to the destination, it's better to stand in the open-air train car to see the trees and Pudding Creek. Stand closer to the speaker to hear the history. Once at the destination, everyone gets off for 45 minutes to use the bathroom, eat concessions or packed snacks, play giant jenga or cornhole, or hike past the bridge. On the way back, you should sit inside the train car and snack on buttery popcorn and local cider (alcoholic). The other option is the two-person bike. This is a one time and done for me. Maybe if you're a train lover, you would want to come back and do it again. read more

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This was so much fun and more beautiful than I could have imagined. You are pedaling through the Redwood Forest with some very old growth trees. It was a nice workout and relaxing at the same time. The guides are knowledgeable, helpful and made the whole experience easy and safe. Highly recommend for the whole family! read more

Skunk Train - Skunk train bikes - Tours Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

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What an amazing day, we went for a ride on the train through the redwoods. Just Magical! We booked the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg up Pudding Creek to Glen Blair Junction. My little one was thrilled to be in the train. Got to learn lots of history about the railroad that was there, and learn about redwood trees, had an amazing experience. The timing of our ride was at 11am morning and there was no rush at all, it took 20min to reach the pudding creek Glen Blair Junction and their was 45min halt on that beautiful spot in between the redwood trees where you can go for small trails, eat chat and take a-lot of pictures etc, there after it takes another 20min to return. The train had clean restrooms and a small snack bar. The staffs were very friendly. This is a train ride of a lifetime! . read more

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It was a fun ride, we went there with kids , we did the rail bikes. It was Very scenic. We did some stops and had guide give us informative talk. We had a pretty easy ride, the cars have pedal e-bike assist. At the end of the track there was a nice stop with bathrooms and a beautiful pavilion for a lunch break. We did end up doing a quick loop hike over there before heading back. I just wish the trip would be longer. If you are in the area - do it. read more

Skunk Train - Tours Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

Came to Mendocino for the weekend and we caught the 730 skunk train into the Blair Bar in the woods. Such a fun and awesome experience. We chose to stand on the outside deck of the train. It was a bit windy, I recommend bringing a jacket. The train ride to the Blair Bar was 20 minutes. Once we arrived the views were spectacular! It wasn't time for sunset just yet but once the sun started going down the lights became more vibrant. We immediately walked over to the bar to grab a drink. We ordered 2 old fashioneds and they were nicely poured with a good amount of whiskey. There was live music, and tons of seating around warmers and large fire pits. They offered s'mores kits and light snacks. The pits do get a bit crowded. We couldn't get a seat until the 9pm train left. Which opened up some spots around the fire pits. The whole experience was great. It made me feel like I was in a scene of Virgin River! Definitely recommend if you're ever visiting the Mendocino or Fort Bragg area of Northern California. read more

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We did the rail bikes (pudding creek ride) and highly recommend the company and experience. The rail bikes were fun and it was enjoyable to experience the redwoods that way! The mid point at Glen Blair was super fun and we enjoyed a light hike during the stop over break! I would enjoy going on the longer ride as well so can't wait to do that one next time! The guides were great and super chill which was nice! read more

Skunk Train - Tours Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

The experience was quite nice. The staff are excellent. But $145 for two people to take a 15-minute train ride is pushing it a bit. I kind of wish this was subsidized or benefited from a philanthropist donation. read more

I've made the trip up to Fort Bragg several times over the last 10 years and had always seen the ads and signs for the Skunk Train. With the full length of the tracks not currently open to Willits, it didn't seem worth it to partake in the shorter train rides. However, once I learned about the rail bikes, I was in! There are two options for the rail bikes. The shorter, two hour excursion is to Glen Briar from their downtown Fort Bragg Depot (the Pudding Creek route) is about 7 miles round trip. If you want a full day adventure, there's the Noyo route which is 25 miles and departs from Sherwood road and is noted as a more stenous excursion. Given I was short on time, I opted for the Pudding Creek route. However, I would definitely do the rail bikes again and try the Noyo route. For the Pudding Creek route, we arrived about 15 minutes before our 10 am departure time. There's a small lot for guests and a short walk over to where the bikes are. Instructions are easy to follow and the staff is amazingly helpful and thorough. With the motor assist, pedaling along the rails was rather mellow. At the end of the line, we stopped at a scenic pavilion in the redwoods and had the option of a short guided hike or to just chill and enjoy the picnic area. I had time to do both and it was a really enjoyable way to spend the morning. There's a basket on the front of each bike to store your backpacks and drink holders for your water bottles. Back at the depot, there's a cute gift shop and behind it, a model train exhibit that was pretty cool. I love a good kitschy attraction and this was a fun, touristy thing to do while visiting the area. I enjoyed it so much, that I do wish the route was longer (hence my hope to go back and do the longer Noyo trip.) Sure, it's pricey, but if you can swing the cost, come in with the right expectations and you'll have a fun day, while also learning a bit more about the area from your guides. read more

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For over 20 years I wanted to ride the rails. My son and I finally did this yesterday and we loved it. The newly designed and patented rail bikes just started being used 2 weeks ago. They are smooth, quiet and comfortable with full back support. Previous bikes had a tractor type seat with no back support. The new seats are firm so you might want to bring some padding. I talked with them about this and they were very receptive to me. Since they are electric with pedal assist, we decided to use the electric motor the entire distance. That way we focused on the experience 100% and it was delightful. A perfect, personalized lunch was provided, which added to the experience. Safety is top priority with them so with several road crossings, some with crossing arms/signals and some without, excellent care was taken to make the crossings safely. Our guide was Atlas and he was training 2 new employees. Everything went perfectly! All three of them were so kind and constantly wanted to attend to everyone's needs. I recommend you take the rail bike tour, sit back and enjoy the ride. Just imagine the amount of work that went into making the rail line over 100+ years ago. With the bikes, you sit just above the rails and can marvel at what it took to build this and any rail line. You will have a new appreciation for all railroads. You wind your way through the hills and I believe I read there is a section of the line that winds over 8 miles to actually travel a straight line of 1 mile. It is an engineering marvel. Enjoy!!!!! Please be sure to tip your guides read more

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I booked two Pudding Creek Express tickets as part of my celebration of my 1-Year Wedding Anniversary with my wife. We caught the 11am trip in Fort Bragg on a Wednesday and it was a pretty good turn out of people attending. Checki-in was easy and all spirits were high. We left on time and headed into the Redwoods. It was only a seven mile journey I think, but it was great taking in the scenery of the beauty the Redwoods present. We sat down at first when the journey began, but then headed to an open trailer where you can enjoy the sights outside. We arrived at the Glen Blair Junction and got to spend time there for 45 minutes..They had games like corn hole, Jenga, and Connect Four you could play, a bar you can buy drinks or snacks, or you can walk some of the trails and explore. We just took it all in. Everyone we interacted with were great and the Skunk Train staff made the trip very educational and fun at the same time. Learning the history of the Skunk Train was fascinating. But being able to walk into the Redwoods and witness how amazing nature works in that region with my wife is a memory I won't forget. After our 45 minutes, we headed back to the Fort Bragg station and got some souvenirs before heading to lunch. The both of us really enjoyed this experience and hope to do it again. Maybe in Willits next time read more

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Thus was a pretty fun day. The steam locomotive was not operating but the diesel powered locomotive was enjoyable. We purchased the VIP ticket which includes a lunch. The roast beef on ciabatta bun was tasty and more than filling. The lunch is packed in a cool reusable insulated bag. In my opinion, the VIP upgrade was great value. Although considerably more costly, we may very well upgrade to the Presidential pass the next time out. The train ride is short, but after leaving town you go through a marshes, into timber, moving on to the pine region and finally to the red woods. There is a 45 minute layover in the red wood area. Although we chose to relax and eat our lunch, hiking and other options are available. My rub was that we departed 10 minutes late (11:10 instead of 11:00) and returned early, making the 90 minute time shorter. There is an open air car that is pretty cool, especially for picture taking. But be forewarned that smoke from the diesel engines will likely cover you. But that can also be a fun plus. read more

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We did the hike to Pudding creek with lunch and train ride back. Our tour guide Scott was fantastic. Scott was extremely knowledgeable and explained all sorts of things we didn't know. For example redwoods don't die when cut down. Jordan a Skunk Train Conductor Scott's wife also came on our hike along with their cutie pie daughter Meadow. After learning and seeing so much on the hike I felt bad for the people who just rode the train or rail bikes. We rode in the open air car behind the engine and that was fun. The steam from the engine blasts tree branches sending leaves and drops of steam all over lol. The only disappointment for me was the lack of giant redwoods. Overall this was a fun experience. read more

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I have been wanting to visit Fort Bragg specifically for this experience and it was well worth it! My husband and I booked the train ride for the Glen Blair bar in the evening on a Saturday. The ride does advertise that it's an hour round trip, but it's more like a 15-20 minute ride each way. If you are doing the Glen Blair Bar experience, I recommend attending the 6:30 ride so you can see the beautiful woods in the daylight and enjoy the sunset. You will also get first dibs for seats and the bar since you will be the first group there. The bar line does get longer as the other groups start arriving. Also dress appropriately for the cooler evening weather. It does get chilly. I recommend sitting by the fire pits. We had a lovely experience and actually stayed the whole time until we had to leave at 10:30. We got to meet new people, sit around a roaring outdoor fire and enjoy drinks in the middle of the beautiful redwoods! What more can you ask for? I definitely recommend this experience. read more

Skunk Train - The bar area. - Tours Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

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Must do this at least once! -- but a fair warning that the way back up the mountain into the city is UP-- get those legs ready! It ends at a little hangout where you can stay and chill, go on a mini hike by yourself or with the guide. The smell and feel of being amongst the redwoods is something I deeply miss. I do have to knock off a star because our railbike malfunctioned and was not on cruise/assist like the rest of the team. Grateful for my sister who pulled through and pedaled all the way back (only one person actually pedals) read more

My wife and I booked the 25 mile Noyo River rail cart excursion and it was an amazing and fun experience. Our guides, Travis and Atlas, provided an educational and interactive experience. At the same time, they gave us our space to explore and just take in the beauty of the redwood forest. I do recommend dressing in layers as the morning half of the ride was cold and the return trip was warmer than expected. Bring gloves if you plan to be the driver because your hands will be exposed to the cold morning air due to controlling the speed of the electric assist controls. Make sure to use the bathroom before you leave. The only stop with a bathroom was at Camp Noyo, which is 12.5 miles from the start. It took my group of 3 rail bikes about 2 hours to get there. Don't be scared of the 25 miles because the electric assist made it an easy ride. I think we were able to pedal, with the assist on, for 90% of the trip. We used the full electric option for about 3-5 minutes total because we wanted to relax our legs. Overall, I recommend the experience, especially if you like being outdoors and surrounded by nature. read more

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That was a fun way to spend a Saturday night!! There were 20-30 of us in town with our car club for the weekend. Our group leader had giant pizzas delivered to the train depot and we enjoyed dinner and drinks in the redwoods! Nice people at the station, on the train and out at the redwoods destination area. read more

The Skunk Train is a must visit in Northern California and especially in Mendocino County! It's worth the trip alone just to enjoy this experience!  The train ride is a 7 mile scenic drive that departs from the depot in downtown Fort Bragg and takes you along Pudding Creek to Glen Blair Junction. You're surrounded by beautiful redwoods throughout the ride. Glen Blair Junction has a bar, couple large fire pits, adirondack chairs, games and live music on the weekends in the evening. They also have a nice 1 mile hike along the hill. The view from the top is absolutely beautiful during sunset! This experience is a perfect spot for a date night or night out with friends or family. Pro Tip: Be sure to bring layers as it can get a bit chilly on the ride and during the evenings too. You can also bring your own food to enjoy! read more

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We took our dogs on the skunk train and it was amazing We would definitely do it again read more

We had such a great time at the Mendocino Skunk Train! It's perfect for a date or for bringing the kids. The whole area has a really relaxed, fun atmosphere. We especially loved the concession cart and the bar/refreshment area with the outdoor games--it made it easy to hang out and enjoy the space before the ride. We walked around the property and brought a pre-packed sandwich lunch, which worked out perfectly. Overall it was a really enjoyable experience and a great way to spend a day in Mendocino. read more

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Overall a positive experience and nice tourist activity to do but it is pretty pricey for what you get. If you are wanting a train experience, I think it's a nice one to experience. Also nice if you have a doggy you like to take along with you. VIP Tickets: My husband and I paid for VIP tickets. VIP was worth it to us for early boarding and no waiting in line for a drink or snack. However, check your tickets!! Upon arrival, we were not given the correct VIP tickets. Luckily I realized something was up and went to go clarify before boarding time but if I had not, we would've been stuck in the general line despite the price of VIP. The ride was 20 minutes out to the Glen Blair Bar area where you're left for about 40 minutes and then return. I probably would not return just due to the price, but I think it's worth it for a one time experience. read more

Nice activity for a date trip or with kids too. The timing is short if you don't plan to stay and wait for another train to take you back though. Nice are for hanging out eat and enjoy nature. Some nice hikes around there too. read more

Skunk Train - Ticket - Tours Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

Riding the Skunk Train railbikes out to Glen Blair junction is quite an enjoyable experience, if a tad pricey. The pedals are power assisted so it's not laborious, and there's plenty of shade on the way. It's about 30 minutes to the junction, with enough time for a short hike before heading back. It was beautiful weather out when we went, and our guide is very local and knowledgeable. read more

Rode the train with my dog during my baby moon phase . Super cute and dog friendly adventures .

Great time on the rail bikes! Great guides! Fun stop for drinks and games and good food Very enjoyable time. Thank you! read more

Great experience! We did the shorter ride but we definitely want to do the longer ride since the carts have a motor that helps a lot and you don't have to do all of the work. Even with the rain, we enjoyed everything. We got the lunch meal since it was our first time but you don't really need it. We thought it was required. If you do the shorter ride, you can definitely pass on the meals since they stop somewhere where they have snacks or you can bring your own food. The lunch meals were okay but we did keep the bags. We definitely want to come back during the summer and do the longer ride. Our guides were great. I would recommend taking the end cart since you won't have anyone behind and you can go at your own speed. read more

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The Skunk Train was not worth the price. The experience is advertised as being about an hour long, but the actual train ride was only around 15 minutes each way. The majority of the time was spent off the train, with the option to hike a trail for about 45 minutes. The scenery was also disappointing. There were very few scenic views, and nothing that justified the high ticket cost. If you're expecting a long train ride with beautiful landscapes, you may be disappointed. Overall, it felt overpriced and misleading. read more

Skunk Train - First view while on train - Tours Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

Such a cool concept! Riding a train into the redwoods to grab a drink at a bar in the woods is a really unique experience. The train ride is about an hour round trip, and I loved that our dog could come along. The live music was also a nice touch. That said, there were several disappointments. The mocktails were pretty bad with very limited options, and the food menu was tiny. This place would be amazing with smoked or grilled BBQ. The biggest issue was the return train. The second-to-last train never showed up, leaving a crowd of frustrated guests waiting around with no communication. Also, don't take the last train back because the music stops early, everything winds down, and you're just waiting until you don't get back to the parking lot until around 11 p.m. One suggestion: this would make an incredible 21+ venue. It's meant to be a relaxing bar in the woods, but kids running and screaming throughout the evening really took away from the atmosphere. Great idea with lots of potential, but there are definitely some things that need improvement. read more

A little disappointing. Guess we should've done more research but the pamphlet we received said the train went 7 miles round-trip for 1 hour with a 15 minute stop at Blair Junction. Turns out it's a 15 minute ride to Blair Junction with a 45 minute stop where you can do a .9 mile hike and then a 15 minute ride back to Fort Bragg. They need to update their literature. I would rather ride the train for longer and less hiking. But their information was incorrect. Also be advised it's not posted when you buy your ticket but it's $66 ish to ride the train. read more

It was amazing. I went with my family members for my mom's birthday. It was an all girls trip. We first started off with walking down a trail which the girl did talk a lot but I got to learn new facts about trees. And then when we finally got onto the bikes. They explained the rules perfectly. And the ride was amazing. We got to stop at multiple spots in the forest. And when we got to the end we got to chill and eat. There was kayaking. And the water was really clear and pretty. It was worth the 5 hours. Over all I had so much fun. Planning to go again next year! read more

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Such a fun day goi g on the rail bikes! My whole family has so much fun and we ranged in age between 10-70 and with the pedal assist it's an easy way to explore the beautiful forest! read more

The new way to explore the redwoods is by railbikes an e-bike on the railroad tracks. Forget the classic train and having to catch photos on the move hoping you are on the correct side of the train. No smelly exhaust fumes. This is you, nature, some exercise and the serene silence of the forest. There are different journeys, times, and even a night tour. This and what is left of Glass Beach are what make Fort Bragg a viable stop on the Northern California Coast. read more

So much fun. Electric pedal bikes so everyone can enjoy it!! Perfect for kids and they have an extra bonus they give you water and caramel corn! Plus a free guided hike these guys are so so awesome! read more

This place was such an adventure! Way better than what we thought it would be. We saw the train in passing on other Northern California trips. I looked up info and we made the 10 hr drive. Well worth it. What an experience. My 8.5 yr old son had a blast as well as our Dalmatian who met another Dalmatian coincidentally on our excursion. We bought popcorn and a popcorn memento bucket en route in our rail car which came with a refill and was yummy. They also sell wine, soda and other items. From the gift shop at the train stop to the actual 90 minute train ride thru the Redwoods it was quite magical start to finish. read more

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This trip was beautiful yet disappointing at the same time. We spent so much money for this tour to ride on the tracks for maybe 35 minutes total and then sit for over an hour at the train stop to wait for the train to arrive and then off board and then onboard folks again. It was complete money grab to purchase alcohol or food while we waited too. I didnt even bother with the gift shop as I had already spent enough at this place. Educationally-speaking, there were two stops where they talked about the redwoods and then how the train got its name that lasted for about five minutes each, and that was it. The tour guide in-training lacked confidence and charisma, which seemed like he wasn't passionate about his job. The main tour guide had a very dynamic personality, so the contrast was undeniable. read more

Skunk Train - Redwoods with Rail Bikes - Tours Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

We got digital vouchers on Groupon and went on a Monday. The train ride was cool. Upon arriving at the midpoint, we only got to walk around for 40mins. Too short. Better go on a weekend, and early so you have more time to walk around. Definitely arrive 30-40 mins early to check in and get your paper tickets. Overall we want to go back and on a weekend. read more

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