Verde Canyon Railroad

All aboard! Dust off your boots and settle in for a spell as you ride behind one of the vintage locomotives of the Verde Canyon Railroad. Sit comfortably in first class style on this four-hour journey aboard historic passenger coaches and open air wagon cars designed for optimum scenic viewing. Relax as the train travels through time among some of the most scenic wilderness in the southwest and amble back among the wild west days of the red rock country of northern Arizona. Departing daily from its depot in historic downtown Clarkdale, the Verde Canyon Railroad is more than a train ride — it is your ticket to a road less traveled and time long, long ago. Less than an hour’s drive southwest of Sedona, this is one nature excursion you won’t want to miss!

Verde Canyon is often referred to as Arizona’s “other” canyon, but don’t let its little sister status fool you into thinking the scenery is anything less than spectacular. Passengers will find themselves in the midst of towering red rock spires that rise above babbling creeks filled with cool, clean water that looks untouched by modern times. Ruins of an Indian village remind passengers of the earliest settlers in the area and old fashioned trestle bridges maintain the historic feel of the rails. Watch soaring American Bald Eagles crest above seasonal wildflowers growing among the crimson cliffs. Nature watchers will also want to keep their eyes peeled for Arizona elk and deer among the inner canyons and architecture buffs will be delighted as the train reaches it halfway point under the Perkinsville covered bridge. With so much to see, you will find the four hour ride is over before you know it, leading you to look forward to your next trip.

When the Whistle Blows

The train departs daily at 1:00 p.m. and returns approximately by 5:00 p.m. Special event trains are added throughout the year, and visitors might find themselves riding on board with Santa Claus during the holidays, taking a Fall Color tour in autumn, aboard the Firecracker Express during the 4th of July or part of the Grape Train Escapes on Friday evenings during the summer.

Whenever you travel, be sure to visit the Boxcar Gift Shop for your Verde Canyon Railroad memorabilia or stop by the Copper Spike Caf' for a bite to eat before hopping aboard. After your ride you might even stop by the Blazin M Ranch for a taste of old west chuck wagon cuisine and foot stompin’ cowboy entertainment. Just 5 minutes from the depot, the dinner bell rings at 6:30 p.m.

Directions to the Verde Canyon Railroad

Located just 40 minutes southwest of Sedona, take Highway 89A to Cornville Road/Mingus Avenue. Turn right on Mingus Avenue, travel 1.8 miles to North Main Street, turn right and continue through Old Town Cottonwood. Just past the turnoff for Tuzigoot National Monument watch for the sign on the corner that says “Verde Canyon Railroad”. Bear right on Broadway, cross the one-lane bridge and park in the lot across the street from the Depot. Happy Trails!