Verde Canyon Railroad Train Tours in Sedona Arizona

Passengers enjoy this four-hour scenic train ride in first-class style aboard renovated passenger coaches and open-air viewing cars pulled by vintage locomotives. A ride on the historic Verde Canyon Railroad route from Clarkdale to the ghost ranch of Perkinsville and back into the OTHER grand canyon in Arizona is an unforgettable experience.

The Verde Canyon is often called 'Arizona's other Grand Canyon' with spectacular canyon scenery on a train trip that offers visual feasts including seasonal spring flowers, fall foliage and hundreds of migratory birds, such as the majestic bald eagle.

Schedule Notes

-January: Wednesday & Saturday
-February: Daily except Tuesday; not available during Chocolate Festival February 10-14
-March: Daily except Tuesday
-April: Daily except Tuesday
-May: Daily except Tuesday
-June: Daily except Tuesday; not available on June 26 (Grape Escape Trains)
-July: Wednesday through Sunday; not available on July 24 (Grape Escape Trains)
-August: Daily except Tuesday; not available on August 21 (Grape Escape Trains)
-September: Daily except Tuesday; not available on September 18 (Grape Escape Train)
-October: Daily except Tuesday; two trains at 9:00 am and 2:30 pm on Saturdays
-November: Daily except Tuesday; no train on Thanksgiving Day
-December: Sunday, Wednesday & Saturday through December 22; daily from December 26-30

General Information:

Home to the American national symbol, the majestic bald eagle, Verde Canyon is accessible only by rail. The historic route is nestled between two national forests and adjacent to a designated wilderness area. This unique geological wonderland features rugged, high desert rock faces and spectacular panoramic views. This distinctive confluence of desert and wetland is populated by a variety of wildlife, which strives among the indigenous trees, shrubs, cactuses and wildflowers.

Passengers on this popular excursion train are enthralled as the eagle-decorated vintage engines roll past towering, crimson cliffs; near ancient Indian ruins; over old-fashioned trestles and through a 680-foot manmade tunnel on a four-hour round trip to deserted Perkinsville Ranch and back.

Expert narration and guides leave passengers with a sense of history, archaeology, geology, wildlife and the Indian lore of the Verde Canyon. Original music also is an integral part of the excursion that takes passengers through the longest-running nature show in Arizona.

Verde Canyon Railroad, nestled in the heart of the expansive Verde Valley is ideally located above the heat of the desert and below the cold of Arizona high country.

Changing leaves add new color to many parts of Arizona each fall but nowehere do the branches blaze quite as brilliantly as they do along the Verde River. Photo opportunities are endless, or one may breathe in the crisp autumn air to appreciate the beauty of nature's dazzling display.

The Verde Canyon Railroad (formerly the Verde Valley Railroad, operated by the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railroad), was financed by Senator William A. Clark for a hefty $1.3 million. A miracle of engineering, the 38-mile line was built in just one year, from 1911 to 1912. It took 250 men using 200 mules, picks and shovels and lots of Dupont black powder explosives to lay these rails. Today, the same railroad would cost in excess of $38 million.

The smelter, which initiated the construction of the town of Clarkdale, named after Senator Clark, was located just below the Jerome mines. Used until 1952, the smelter had its final 400-foot high stack blown in 1962, signaling the end of an era and an industry on which a community had been built and prospered. Vintage FP7 engines; two of only 12 such models remaining in North America, power all of Verde Canyon Railroad trains. Wildlife artist Doug Allen painted the bald eagle artwork on the engines. All passenger cars are climate-controlled with restrooms. All cars have panoramic windows and provide access to open-air viewing cars. Music and narration are provided throughout the excursion. The train and depot both meet ADA requirements.

Special Trains

Santa Trains
Weekend trains in December are our Santa Trains, where Santa and Mrs. Claus are on board to visit with each child during the trip. Santa Trains are available for everyone, but children especially enjoy them. (every train in December)

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta train
~ Strolling Mariachis on the patio
~ Margaritas and Mexican beer
~ Authentic mouth-watering Mexican food
~ Train departure at 9:00am and 12:30pm
~ May 5th

Throw Mama and Papa on the Train
Complimentary gift for every Mom and Dad on their special day The whole family will delight in this wall-to-wall wonderland. (Mother's Day - Sunday, May 13 & Father's Day - Sunday, June 17)

Starlight Tours
Ride the trains under the star lit night! The canyon will come alive with nocturnal life. (May 12, June 23rd - September 15th)

Firecracker Express
Celebrate America with a picnic and good old-fashioned, patriotic music. (July 4th)

Year round highlights
~ Spectacular geology, including a monocline fold
~ Magnificent vistas on inner canyons
~ Sinagua Indian ruins dating back to 600 A.D.
~ Remnants of a bygone era of mining on which a community was built
~ A lively and unpredictable riparian habitat, a life line to a variety of wildlife and waterfowl
~ Unique railroad structures including S.O.B. canyon trestle and Perkinsville covered bridge
~ Passage through a 680-foot, manmade tunnel

Schedule is subject to change without notice and departure times are dependent upon weather.

48 HOURS MINIMUM ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED. No hotel pickups are available for this tour. This rate includes round-trip train fare and sales tax. Train Depot is located in Clarkdale, Arizona, which is approximately 25 miles from Sedona and approximately 100 miles from Phoenix. Children under 2 are free when they ride on the lap of an adult. Reserve online or call us toll-free at 888-811-9250.