Rail Explorers: Boone, IA Division

This was an amazing and unique experience! The views were awesome, and pedaling was so easy. We never felt like there was anyone else out there but us. The turn around spot has plenty of chairs for resting while the carts get reset, and I wish I'd brought a snack to enjoy while we hung out. Everyone was super nice and we had the best time. I can't wait to come back again!!

This place is amazing. The crew members were super friendly and helpful. The views along the ride were truly priceless. This was overall a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend this to not only rail enthusiasts but anyone looking for a nice adventure. This company is definitely doing this right. We will be planning to go to the other ones across the country.

Staff were wonderful and the ride was perfect. They have umbrellas when there's no cloud in the sky. The pedaling was super easy and a good portion of the 2hrs was getting set up so you wont feel tired during this. You can bring your cold drinks/small cooler. Highly recommend!!!

Great family fun experience. The rail line is known for it's beautiful scenery and there isn't a more personal and better way to experience it than riding on these pedal powered cars, which by the way are also equipped with an electrical motor to assist with pedaling. Our family of four retend a quad car and we had no problems with propellig the 1000 lb. car down the tracks. The electrical pedal assist is really nice and made pedaling pretty much effortless. We easily obtained speeds of about 10-12 mph while pedaling down the tracks.

The staff was super friendly and was more than earer to engage in conversations if you wish to ask them questions about their experience here.

You have to book your tour in advance. Consider booking several weeks in advance as we found many of the dates we wanted were already booked solid. You need to arrvive about 15 minutes before your scheduled tour to check-in. During your short wait they had some free refreshments such as hot chocolate (temps that day were only about low 50's) and a bucket of candy. The launching point is also equipped with a mobile restroom trail (still better than an porta-potty). They had small campfires buring upon our arrival to warm yourselves next to while you waited for the tour to begin (again it was kinda cold the day our tour). Upon check-in, you are given a rubber wristband, which also allows you adminssion to the next door rail mesueum.

Overall, this was a fantastic experience for the value. I highly recommend trying this venue sometime.

Great experience! Fall colors were great. Staff was courteous and friendly. Timeframe was perfect. Highly recommend for couples, a double-date, or with teen kids.

What an experience! A few tips to take away from this review: book far in advance and dress accordingly.

I booked a Tandem back in June for the Sunset time on October 8th. Hoping to have this experience during the beautiful fall weather with some fall foliage. And we got just that!

Sunday it was 70 Degrees, 68 when we took off on our adventure, and roughly 58 degrees upon our return around 7:30 pm. My boyfriend and I wore layers but wish we had more layers. While it may be warm when you take off, the breeze and temps can drop quickly.

Dress in layers, bring extra layers in a bag - there is plenty of room in the rail car to bring extra things along. Highly recommend gloves or a hat to keep warm on the ride if the temp is 70 or below at any point on your trip.

We got about a 15 minute time half way to get off the cars and sit and enjoy the sunset, grab a drink or eat a snack. There is plenty of room in the railcars for a small cooler - some people brought beer, sandwiches or a soda. We just brought a water bottle and that was perfectly fine for us.

Price was reasonable, staff was very friendly, and views are unmatched.

Tip: we HIGHLY recommend planning dinner at Whatcha Smokin BBQ in Luther. We had originally planned to go after the Rail Explorers adventure, but sadly it closed at 8 so we didn't make it in time.

This was Great! the staff is so friendly and knowledgeable! I suggest taking the morning ride as it is getting warmer. it was so much fun, loved our little stop at Rose's Landing to have a drink and snack while the crew flipped our explores around. Would love to come back and check out the other rides they have available

My wife and I had a great time, absolutely loved the Rail Explorer. Once that little electrical motor kicks in your wizzing along through old rail yards, beautiful farm fields, lush wooded hill sides and then your crossing over this huge old train trestle and it feels like your flying. After the 2 hour trip I was ready to go again. We're thinking about doing it again in the Fall to see the colors. I can imagine they are glorious. If you like trains or or know someone who does, I highly recommend this.

I am so glad I stumbled across this! Something very fun and unique to do in Iowa! The weather was perfect and beautiful when we went (end of August.) There is a motor but you're in control of the pedaling and the speed. It's a nice workout but not strenuous at all! So many beautiful views especially when you go over the 2 big bridges! They have 2 and 4 seat motorcars, and a basket for your belongings. Big enough for a cooler and your bags or snacks! Speaking of snacks, I would definitely recommend bringing some. They only have $3 little bags of chips in the lobby. You can also bring alcoholic beverages for your ride which I was not aware of! They have bathrooms (not Porta potty's) and I would recommend going beforehand, because you have a little half hour break where they have to turn the motorcars around to go back, but there is no restroom in that area. It was so beautiful on the ride back because we got to see the sunset! Dress accordingly for weather because it can get a bit chilly! Thanks again Rail Adventures and I will be back! Available in 3 other states as well I believe.

Thomas the Train was a fun experience for our family! Everything was well organized and the train ride exiting, albeit slow according to my grandson. 😁
Fun play area while we waited for our time slot to board the train.

This was a well worth 2 hour drive. My wife, daughters and I had a blast. Didn't know what to expect but very impressed with the entire experience. Staff were very professional and personable. I highly recommend this place.

Awesome experience! Cars pedal easily. We maxed our speed out at 15mph.

We booked this back in August but weren’t able to get an open date until October but wow was it worth the wait. An amazing way to see fall foliage and fantastic views. The team did a fantastic job explaining the equipment and it was in excellent condition. It was easy to use and the e motor did a great job making the pedaling easy. The scenery was phenomenal. We will definitely be back!

TBH, I have not yet had the Rail Explorer experience, but my conversation with the management sold me. When the season warms up we'll be sure to bring the grands out for some adventure.

2023 UPDATE: WE DID THIS and had a lovely time! The cart is EASY to pedal and safe enough to keep my fear of heights at bay over the high bridge. Very well organized, and the crew was competent and cordial. NOTE: The loud clackety-clack of the wheels on track might be a problem for some.

Wish we could rate 10 🌟 s
This is a must for everyone's bucket list. Can't recommend enough. Team was very kind and friendly. Helpful and focused.

It is 12 miles...6 out 6 back with some beautiful sights. I am 62 years old and 62 lbs overweight. I can't walk up 4 flights of stairs without being highly winded but was not winded at all when finished 12 miles. You do pedal but pedals operate electric motor. Very efficient and creates a leisurely ride.

A large area to keep personal items. This is one place you might dig out your selfie stick to add to success in getting photos.

Also...if your service is as exceptional as mine...please consider tipping.

My 7 year old daughter and I went on a Monday. Showed up about 20 minuets early and we were on a cart and moving right on schedule. Staff is super friendly and helpful. The carts have a motor that is constantly propelling the cart, you only pedal to recharge the battery, very low resistance. Gorgeous scenery the entire way. Only complaint I would have is that it ended too soon because we were having so much fun! We will definitely be coming back and recommending it to everyone.

This was an absolute BLAST—my 15yo said “13/10, one of the best experiences of my life.” Details: The ride each way takes about 40 minutes and is through lots of shaded and sunny sports (so wear sunscreen). The effort is about like rising an e-bike, I think. It’s not nothing, but it’s not like a true bike. The stopover place isn’t great (a weedy field with some chairs in it), and it’s buggy, but you’re not there long. You want securely fitting hats and something to help you keep hold of your camera!

Loved the experience! Fun and beautiful, highly suggest. The staff was great and informative. We are going back in the fall, to see all the colors changes in the trees etc....

Enjoyed this very much! Very well organized. All the young people running it do a great job and are very conscientious and fun to talk to. Unique experience that we highly recommend!

My husband and I had a lot of fun riding this today. We wished that the weather had been nicer as it was cloudy and sprinkling during part of the ride, but the views were still great.

The staff was wonderful. Their attention to detail was awesome. They gave us free rain ponchos as it was sprinkling. They also included umbrellas on every rail car in case the rain got heavy. They even dried off all the seats for us so we wouldn’t have to sit on a wet seat. They explained how everything was going to go and told us all the do’s and don’ts in order to have a safe and pleasant ride. Everyone was on the ball and everything went smoothly. The electric assist made it really easy to pedal so it wasn’t hard at all.

I will say the seat and back rest are pretty hard and my butt and back were hurting a little after the ride. If you can’t sit in the same position for a while, you may be uncomfortable. But over all, everything was great. We’d like to try it again on a nicer day. I highly recommend this for something fun and different to do.