This was such a fun experience for the kids! (Even with the PNW rain) I can see this being more enjoyable when the weather is nicer but we still had a good time - thanks to the covered caboose! Tickets were sold online and that process was easy. The gravel parking lot is across the street but was filled with lots of big puddles due to the rain making parking a little challenging. The gift shop where you check in is small but has lots of fun train-related books and toys. The gentlemen at the counter were very nice and friendly and the staff running the train operations were all very welcoming and helpful. Now this is probably my fault for not reading everything but I did not realize the train carts were open air. As you can imagine the rain makes it a very wet experience. However! We were able to find seats in the covered caboose so that was such a nice option to have especially with a newborn on board with us. The ride itself was smooth and scenic. The kids loved the constant choo choo noises and the 20-minute stop at the Yacolt Creek Falls. The steps were a little steep especially wet and sleek with the rain but it was very pretty. Overall I would definitely recommend this as a fun experience for the family but I think we would have enjoyed it more in the summertime. read more

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Friendly, helpful staff. Pleasant staff. Cost reasonable. Made it ADA accessible to board train, including wheelchairs. Snacks/drinks available, but it's OK to bring your own food. Pleasant views of farmland and forest. Fun theater with some trips having a staged train robbery. read more

What a great experience for the whole family! Those working/volunteering on the train were so friendly and kind. We can't wait to take the train again. read more

So much fun. Brought back so many memories as a kid. I remember when the train ride used to leave from battle ground. Hopefully this all volunteer train ride keeps getting riders for funding. Fun to see Santa, Ms. Claus and a random Grinch, plus hot coco and cider at the train station. read more

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad - Grinch, Santa and Ms. Claus - Transportation Near Me - Yacolt, Washington

2 hour ride aboard a diesel powered train. Was able to walk to the Yacolt River falls for a quick photo or two. read more

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad - the train at the Yacolt station - Transportation Near Me - Yacolt, Washington

Yesterday I took my family to ride the train for the Headless Horseman ride, and it was so fun! My kiddo loved looking out the window and observing the beautiful scenery around the train. We loved that it didn't go too fast, so we didn't miss anything! And then! The Headless Horseman rode past the train!!! The horse and rider did so well! At the 30 minute layover the horse and Horseman were there to take pictures with! So cool. There was complementary hot cider, hot cocoa, coffee and snacks as well. The train had such an old charm, just our type of train. Thank you to all the volunteers working to keep this alive, we truly appreciate you. Experiences like this are so special for kids in this age of technology. Things like these are irreplaceable. Thank you thank you thank you. read more

We had tons of fun. The train was decorated which was great and the views were absolutely gorgeous!!!

If you have young children (10 and under) this is a great thing to do. Please note: when you get off the train to grab a tree, leave a jacket or something behind. Your seat will be confiscated by folks who didn't buy a ticket in advance and had to ride outside. It was a hard cold lesson we learned. Trees: worse one we've ever bought. Needles just continued to fall off and was less fragrant. I opted for a certain tree that was most expensive. People helping said "all the trees are the same". Well, if that was the case, I shouldn't have paid more. read more

Absolutely amazing for volunteer only run train. We were well informed during the train ride and enjoyed the scenery. My children liked every moment. It is worth every dollar. I am glad the people of Yacolt spend their time and effort to make sure this can be something families can do and enjoy!!! Thank you. They are always looking for donators. Tunnels, train crossroads, bridges and more... read more

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Went for the Fathers Day Train ride. Had a lot of fun riding in the caboose, gorgeous scenery. Quite nostalgic going into the woods, stopped to explore the Falls. Well worth the coast and time. read more

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Came here for the Christmas train, not knowing what to expect, and it was such a great time. The price is a bit high (roughly $20/person) but I felt that the experience was worth it. The staff were friendly, the train ride itself was very neat (the kids loved it) as we got to ride in the inside car and also go out on the open-air car that was so neat to see the engine with smoke coming out. The stop to see Santa was perfectly-timed in order for us to have a bathroom break and break up the trip for the kids to see Santa. Also got hot chocolate & cookies. Then it was back on the train, through the tunnel, and back to the station. We'll definitely do this again. read more

I can't believe there are only two reviews and that there is a score of less than 5 stars!!! My daughter and I are in town visiting our family. We took a ride on the Halloween train this morning. We purchased our tickets conveniently online, two days in advance. The price was $15 per ticket, which was more than reasonable given the experience. The staff was incredibly friendly. The train was prompt and had more than enough space to accommodate everyone without cramming in. The inside of the train was decorated with spider, skeletons, and bats for Halloween. At one point we were passed by the Headless horsemen! We also entered a tunnel with Halloween lights and decorations. The scenery during the ride was beautiful- the trees, waterfalls, bridges and rivers were breathtaking. On our way back to the station, we made a stop for treats. The kids were able to dig through hay for candy, see the headless horseman up close, warm by the wood furnace, enjoy cookies and cider or hot chocolate. We had so much fun! It couldn't have been a better adventure for my little one! I can't wait for our next ride! read more

Is the trip worth it - yes and I give kudos to this all volunteer railroaders to keep it running Here are the negatives: the tracks are not well maintained (remember these are volunteers) so the ride is extremely rough and the seats are wood so bring a pillow. If the wind is blowing the wrong direction you will be bathed in diesel engine smoke - the old wood fired engines smell much better read more

Definitely recommend going if you enjoy trains. I know those people exist and they'll enjoy the knowledgeable guides. To me, I was expecting a little more, but overall the experience was pleasant and there weren't many complaints. They ride you one direction and then back with a 30 minute excursion at a sight seeing spot. You can explore, a 5 minute or so hike that includes scenery of a forest and waterfall. My only complaint is that the fumes from the train kind of left me ill for several days after. I can't really blame anyone for that though as that is the nature of the train and direction of wind flow, but it's something to know. In any case children would enjoy this. The drive to Yacolt is a little long too, but again not really a complaint, just an observation. read more

Just took the Christmas Tree Train ride with 3 kiddos. We originally planned to sit outside on the uncovered car but opted for the covered outdoor car since it looked like it was going to rain. Not as scenic I'm sure, but turned out to be a great choice since it rained the whole time we were on the trip. The scenery was great, seeing santa was fun, coffee was so gross (ended up going back for got chocolate which was good), and it was a cool experience. Recommendation would be to layer and dress warm with gloves and beanies just in case. Depending on the way the train is going it can be a bit windy and cold. That way you can still sit outside and enjoy it without being cold. read more

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad - Waving to Santa as we passed, stopped back on the way back for cookies and hot chocolate. - Transportation Near Me - Yacolt, Washington

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Weather was drizzly on the way to the layover location. We sat on the outside train. We planned on switching it up on the way back, but people rudely saved their seats so we didn't have a chance to sit anywhere else and get warm. It was super rainy on the way back - we just told the kids to put their hoods up and suck it up. We made the best of it. I don't want to be a stinker, but we had a baby with us and that's kind of rude. But this was not their fault - it was the other people we were on the ride with. Took 3 kiddos and an infant on this and they seemed to enjoy themselves - us adults loved it as well. This was my kid's first time on a train and we had a blast.The scenery was beautiful!!! Seeing Santa was cute - each child got a small toy. The hot cocoa and cookies were great! We will definitely do this again. read more

Went on the steam train to see santa, fabulous trip! The volunteers were amazing and knowledgable and santa was so fabulous with the kids...will definitely go again!!! read more

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad - Transportation Near Me - Yacolt, Washington

I had a lot of fun riding this excursion train last weekend. I rode on the front "flat" car and the coach car. The flat car gives a great immersive view of the gorgeous scenery but the seats are wood benches so less comfy that the middle "Coach" car which is a hundred years old and has bus like padded seats. Go one add to your bucket list. Lots a of nice volunteers that help keep this living history alive. read more

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All I can say is WOW!!! This was an amazing experience and a memory that is priceless. To be able to have had the opportunity to ride on a historic railway that alone is great. But then to ride through the amazing scenery that is breathtaking is more than I could have asked for. This is a must see for families and one of the best attractions I have been to. read more

Went with our family in June 2016 on the opening day. Big mistake. We got there 15 minutes early I think and we had to wait FOREVER because they didn't have the train ready. They had to rearrange the cars so they drove back and forth in front of the station several times, which was disappointing for the little ones and they blew the whistle right in front of us. So startling! The office hadn't been open yet either and they were having trouble with their payment system and couldn't take credit cards but luckily we had purchased online so we were ok. I realize that this is a volunteer-run train so I don't expect everything to be perfect but wanted to warn others so they could avoid the opening ride. As for the ride: Because it was sunny and our family burns easily, we chose an indoor car, which had seen better days. It smelled mildewy and the seats were pretty old vinyl but still looked more comfortable than the wood slats in the outside cars. The scenery was nice on the ride. At the waterfall area stop, we were only given 10 minutes because they were running behind schedule. I would have given them four stars if we'd been able to explore for 30 minutes as advertised. All that being said, If I knew a kid that LOVED trains, I would go back just not on the opening ride so that they've had time to work out the kinks. Oh, they also had roses for the moms since it was Mother's Day. That was a nice touch :) read more

I rode this train when I was two year old, and at 29 I returned to ride with my three year old and my dad. Both of them were absolutely overjoyed and in awe of the beautiful forest views as we were pulled along by the great big steam engine. The stop mid ride to check out the waterfall was just the icing on the train cake! It's a little expensive but makes for a great family experience. read more

I like train rides and this one is in our backyard so to speak. Summer is the best time to ride the train. Years ago they had a Christmas Train that went to Chelatchie Tree Farm. You could get off take a wagon ride to cut a tree and return to the train. Our kids really enjoyed the trip. The train many years ago went from Battle Ground to Yacolt and back. Now they operate from Yacolt to Moulton Falls and back. The Cabooses are fun to ride in. A fun trip through the beautiful forest. read more

This train ride starts in my town, Yacolt. Just moved here and can't believe it is so beautiful! If you want to just relax and enjoy such beautiful scenery or take your lil tots for something fun then please try this out!! If you like green trees, waterfalls and all natural things and just peace, it felt like I was meditating!!then get your booties on this train!! This is ran by all volunteers and I want to keep this train going because I will be going on the Xmas tree one in a few months! read more

Great idea and a major tourist attraction for yacolt but its really short if the fixed the tracks to battle ground they would make a killing

So disappointed! We had planned to travel to do the headless horseman tour the weekend of Halloween but had to cancel our trip. I called about getting a refund and after several attempts finally reached someone! I was told they would mail me a refund check, a month later I still had not got a refund. Called several more times and finally heard from someone who said the treasurer was on vacation but they would get my check to me. Its now been two months since I was told I would get a refund and have never received it! Once again not getting calls back! Apparently Im just out that $54! read more

The views are not at all scenic, outside seats are wet (and cold), the bathroom aboard the train is absolutely an abomination, the train cars reek of mildew, and they are in desperate need of a good facelift. It was only 45 degrees today when we left the train station, and even though the covered train car had a heater, it was not turned on and doors were left wide open. The train made several stops that had nothing to do with railroad crossings, and absolutely no explanation was given to help riders understand what appears to be a total waste of time. I realize that this is a volunteer run attraction, but that is not a valid explanation for why this experience has to be so underwhelming and disorganized. The railroad has the potential to be so much more than it is, and at $20 a ticket, with free labor and packed train rides, I don't quite understand why it isn't. We would not recommend this to anyone. read more

I went to this when I was really little. And I might as well say that this is probably one of the best railroads around the WA area period!

This line is run & maintained solely by volunteers. Its reasonably priced, beautiful, and, well, just about perfect. Fun for all ages!