No. 1916 is back in service at the R&GN.

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Riverside and Great Northern Railway

4.7

·724 reviews·Wisconsin Dells, United States

Ride a charming miniature steam train through scenic Wisconsin woods, explore historic locomotives, and enjoy family-friendly amenities.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

October weekends

Special pumpkin trains!

CrowdMedium

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Riverside and Great Northern Railway

Best Time

October weekends

Special pumpkin trains!

CrowdMedium

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Ride a charming miniature steam train through scenic Wisconsin woods, explore historic locomotives, and enjoy family-friendly amenities.

4.7

(724 reviews)

"A fantastic place to take the family! Enjoy a scenic ride through the wilderness on a miniature steam locomotive."

TIP

🎯 Book Tickets Online

Consider buying tickets online to save time and ensure your spot. 🎟️

🚂 Railfan Paradise

Perfect for train enthusiasts! See working steam engines and learn about their mechanics. 🚂

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 724 reviews

Type

Tourist Attraction

Address

N115 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965, USA

Website

dellstrain.com

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Scenic Miniature Train Ride

Throughout the grounds

Enjoy a delightful 30-minute ride on a steam or diesel locomotive through two miles of wooded wilderness.

Locomotive Displays

Train village

Explore a collection of meticulously maintained steam and diesel locomotives, including a 1916 model.

Picnic Pavilion & Play Area

Main grounds

Relax and refuel at the picnic pavilion with concessions, or let the kids burn energy in the play area.

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Planning Your Visit

Book Tickets in Advance

While walk-ins are possible, booking tickets online for the Riverside and Great Northern Railway can streamline your visit and ensure you get your preferred ride time. This is especially helpful during peak seasons to avoid disappointment.

Embrace the Miniature Experience

This attraction features a charming miniature steam train ride through scenic woods. It's a unique experience perfect for families and train enthusiasts, offering a delightful journey with interesting geology and nature.

Best Times

When

October weekends

Why

Special pumpkin trains!

Crowd

Medium

When

Summer mornings

Why

Beat the heat and crowds

Crowd

Medium

When

Weekday afternoons

Why

Quieter, more relaxed ride

Crowd

Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Riverside and Great Northern in the Wisconsin Dells

@witrainnerd

26 likes • 437 views

🎯 Book Tickets Online

Consider buying tickets online to save time and ensure your spot. 🎟️

🚂 Railfan Paradise

Perfect for train enthusiasts! See working steam engines and learn about their mechanics. 🚂

Riverside & Great Northern Railway Wisconsin Dells.

@nathanjaquet

2 likes • 226 views

All aboard for the family-friendly experience at Riverside & Great Northern Railway. Featuring a picnic pavilion with concessions, a play area, and a beautiful two-mile train ride through the woods! 🚂 #lovethedells #wisconsindells #trainride #trains #familyfun

waterparkcapital

36 likes • 1.2K views

🌳 Scenic Nature Views

The train ride offers beautiful views of woods, ravines, and nature. :evergreen_tree:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Fun Guaranteed

Great for all ages, with play areas and concessions available. :familywomanwoman_boy:

This is our favorite spot in @waterparkcapital Wisconsin Dells! The Riverside and Great Northern Railway is the perfect attraction for all ages. Travel along the wooded tracks and over ravines on a steam train! #wisconsin #wisconsindells #riversideandgreatnorthernrailway #dells #waterparkcapitoloftheworld #steamtrain #steamengine #narrowgaugerailway #midwesttravel #familytravel #travelwisconsin ...

bestdayvacations

8 likes • 118 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book Tickets Online

Consider buying tickets online to save time and ensure your spot. 🎟️

🚂 Railfan Paradise

Perfect for train enthusiasts! See working steam engines and learn about their mechanics. 🚂

🌳 Scenic Nature Views

The train ride offers beautiful views of woods, ravines, and nature. :evergreen_tree:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Fun Guaranteed

Great for all ages, with play areas and concessions available. :familywomanwoman_boy:

📸 Photo Opportunities

Plenty of spots for memorable photos, especially around the trains. :camerawithflash:

What Travellers Say

4.7

(724 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Riverside and Great Northern Railway as a fantastic family-friendly attraction. The scenic miniature train ride, well-maintained grounds, and friendly staff are major highlights. While the ride itself is relatively short, the overall experience, especially for train enthusiasts and families with young children, is highly recommended and considered well worth the ticket price.

"This is a fantastic place to take the family! We took our toddlers and they enjoyed playing on all that was offered. The grounds are very well maintained and the staff are all super friendly. A miniature steam locomotive will take you down the track and back offering a scenic view through the wilderness. I would definitely visit again if we came back!!"

Steven McGinley

"My son (13) and I were in the Dells for a family trip last week. He is a HUGE railfan and was all in on this railway. Loved seeing a working steam engine and appreciated the explanation of how it operates. Lovely trip through the woods, and the crew even allowed him to help with filling the water tank. :) Grounds are taken care of, nice facilities with a concession stand and gift shop. Not to miss, especially if you're traveling with kids or train fans. Highly recommended!"

Kim Daniels

"If you like scenic miniature train rides this one is a must. Large parking lot, gift shop, and picnic pavilion on-site. Features a 4-4-2 steam and diesel electric locomotives. The cars are small, are covered, and each unit can accommodate 4 average sized people. Train ride runs several miles with interesting geology and nature along the route."

Luke

What People Like

Scenic miniature train ride

Well-maintained grounds

Friendly and knowledgeable staff

What People Dislike

Ride duration could be longer

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Riverside and Great Northern Railway is located in Wisconsin Dells. It has a large parking lot available for visitors. Many visitors find it conveniently located, with some even walking from nearby campgrounds.

Yes, there is a large parking lot available for visitors at the Riverside and Great Northern Railway.

Depending on your location, it might be possible to walk. One visitor mentioned walking over from their campground.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

While specific prices aren't listed here, reviews suggest the ticket price is considered well worth the experience. It's recommended to check their official website or book online for the most current pricing.

It is recommended to buy tickets online, as it can make the process flow smoother and ensure you get your desired ride time, especially during busy periods.

Operating hours can vary seasonally. They are known to offer special 'pumpkin trains' in October. It's best to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date hours.

Information on discounts is not readily available in the provided content. It's advisable to check their official website or inquire directly for any potential offers.

Yes, walk-ins are offered, but purchasing tickets online is recommended for a smoother experience.

🎫 🚂 Onsite Experience

The train ride is a scenic, approximately 30-minute journey on a miniature steam or diesel locomotive through two miles of wooded wilderness, featuring interesting geology and nature. +1

They feature miniature steam locomotives, including a 1916 model, and diesel electric locomotives. Restoration projects are also underway for other engines.

Yes, there's a play area for children, and after the train ride, there are little board games to play.

The grounds are well-maintained with a picnic pavilion that offers concessions, a gift shop, and clean restrooms. +1

Absolutely! There are many picture opportunities, especially around the trains and the scenic landscape.

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there is a concession stand located at the picnic pavilion where you can purchase food and drinks.

The presence of a picnic pavilion suggests that bringing your own food is likely welcome, allowing you to enjoy a meal on-site.

📸 📸 Photography

The locomotives themselves, the train village, and the scenic natural landscapes along the two-mile route offer excellent photo opportunities.

While specific rules aren't detailed, the general atmosphere encourages exploration and photography. Visitors have shared many photos of the trains. +1

The double-header steam engine formations are particularly striking for photos. Also, the unique antique cars that sometimes visit offer interesting photographic subjects.