Verde Canyon Railroad

• Hours: One or two trains per day, depending on the season
• Reservations: Required. Buy tickets in advance online
• Cost: Fee charged
• Location: Between Phoenix and Sedona, directions below
• How Long: Allow four and a half hours (including 30 minutes to check in)
• Best Time to Visit: Any time, but best when it's warm enough to be outside

The Verde Canyon Railroad takes visitors on a four-hour, 20-mile round trip from the Clarkdale railroad station through Sycamore and Verde Canyon. The standard-gauge FP7 engines, originally built for use in Alaska, still carry their snowplows, even if they aren't needed here.

Verde Canyon Railroad Review

Along the Verde Canyon Railroad route, you'll see Sinagua and Hohokam Indian ruins, the Verde River and distant mountains. Resident bald eagles hatch their chicks on a cliff near the tracks in the spring, and are joined by migrating bald and golden eagles from December through March. In a wet spring, wildflowers bloom beside the tracks, and in fall, the trees turn color.

The train travels at a slow, relaxing pace, good for photographers and gentle enough that it shouldn't induce nausea in most people. However, if you're prone to motion sickness, it won't hurt to take your favorite remedy along just in case.

The Verde Canyon Railroad staff, while efficient at getting you seated and serving drinks, are not particularly warm or friendly. The trip is narrated with a recording that is interspersed with commercials for the Verde Canyon Railroad. Nevertheless, the scenery saves the day.

This trip is popular with senior citizens and families. However, teenagers tend to get bored unless they're photographers or nature-lovers.

If you plan to travel on the Verde Canyon Railroad, bring your binoculars so you can get a better look at the eagles. Bottled water is rather expensive on the train, so you may want to bring your own.

The Verde Canyon Railroad offers two classes of travel:

• Coach Class: Traditional seats, two on each side of an aisle. Snack bar.
• First Class: Groups of four are seated on comfy couches. Singles and couples sit at chairs and tables. A small breakfast buffet is provided, and each traveler gets one soft drink or small cup of champagne.

Both Verde Canyon Railroad classes have access to the open observation cars. To make it easy for you, buy tickets in advance online at Viator.com.

Getting to Verde Canyon Railroad

Verde Canyon Railroad
300 North Broadway
Clarkdale, AZ
(800) 320-0718
Verde Canyon Railroad Website

Allow 40 minutes to get to the Verde Canyon Railroad from Sedona. Go west through Cottonwood on Highway 89A and continue straight on Main Street through Old Town Cottonwood and past Tuzigoot. At Clarkdale, you will see a sign that says "Verde Canyon Railroad." Follow it to the depot.

It takes at least two hours to get to the Verde Canyon Railroad from Phoenix. Take I-17 north to exit 287. Take Highway 260 west about 14 miles to Main Street in Cottonwood and turn left. Drive through Old Town Cottonwood, past Tuzigoot. At Clarkdale, you will see a sign that says "Verde Canyon Railroad." Follow it to the depot.

If You Liked Verde Canyon Railroad, You May Also Like:

• Durango-Silverton Railroad, Colorado
• Grand Canyon Railway, Williams, Arizona
• White Pass Railroad, Skagway Alaska