The Verde Canyon Railroad is a historic rail line running between the towns of Clarkdale and Perkinsville near Sedona, Arizona. It offers first class and coach seating along with lunch and an open viewing car with guided talks so everyone can enjoy the scenery, ancient ruins and wildlife. We think this is a great attraction to add to your itinerary if it’s your first visit to Sedona and you don’t plan to hike.
In this guide we show you exactly what to expect if you book a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad, based on our own experiences.
We spent eight days exploring Sedona and the surrounding area in December 2021. And during our trip, we booked passenger car tickets on the Verde Canyon Railroad. We chose the four hour train ride over the Christmas themed ride and the tickets sold out extremely quickly.
We didn’t really know what to expect but it turned out to be way better than we imagined. And we’re going to show you what we experienced during our 4 hour train ride, including our photos and tips for your trip. Read more about us.
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What Is The Verde Canyon Railroad?
The Verde Canyon Railroad is a heritage railway running between the towns of Clarkdale and Perkinsville about 25 miles southwest of Sedona, Arizona. It originally operated as a 38 mile branch line for the Santa Fe Railway from 1912 to 1988.
At the time, this was an essential track linking a copper smelter in Clarkdale to the copper mines at Jerome. In 1988, David L. Durbano bought the branch line and reopened it a few years later as the Verde Canyon Railroad in 1990.
A standard 4 hour train ride takes passengers on a 20-mile (32 km) trip between Clarkdale at milepost 38 and the ghost town of Perkinsville at milepost 18. Once in Perkinsville, the engine disconnects and attaches to the other side of the train which then makes the return trip back to Clarkdale.
This treasured verde canyon train ride features the beautiful American Southwest wilderness because the railroad is sandwiched between both the Coconino National Forest and Prescott National Forest.
Many people ride the historic Verde Canyon Railroad as part of an unforgettable Sedona itinerary. Join numerous passengers as you sit back and take in the stunning scenery of the Verde Canyon.
Historic FP7 Locomotive Engines
We like the Verde Valley Railroad because you will see vintage diesel locomotives in action. These classic cars are two of the only ten locomotives still currently in operation throughout North America.
Originally built for the Alaska Railroad in 1953 by General Motors in Illinois, the engines were officially debuted in 1997 along the Verde Canyon Railroad.
The cars have since been renovated with modern safety features. In 2019, these prized locomotives received a full makeover including an updated paint motif and advanced mechanics.
Travel Tip: The historic FP7 locomotive engines are numbered 1510 and 1512 so be sure to keep an eye out during your trip.
How To Get To The Verde Canyon Railroad
- Address: 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
- Parking: Google Maps
The Verde Canyon Railroad originates in the town of Clarkdale. This is a short 30 minute drive from the town of Sedona or a two hour drive north of Phoenix. Clarkdale is an interesting town because this old mining settlement was originally founded as a smelter town by William A. Clark in 1912.
In its prime, Clarkdale was one of the most modern mining towns in the world. It was an early example of a planned community with electric, sewage and telegraph capabilities.
Tickets
There are two types of ticket available on the Verde Canyon Railroad:
- Caboose
- Premium passenger car (coach)
The Caboose is an expensive option because this exclusive car is designed for one private party up to six people. It features luxurious oversized chairs, large windows and a private outdoor viewing platform.
A personal valet will also prepare appetizers and complimentary champagne, but unfortunately the caboose is not ADA accessible due to its historic nature.
We rode on one of the passenger cars which feature living-room style seating and panoramic windows. The cars are climate-controlled with a restroom and each passenger is assigned a seat for boarding.
A full service cash bar, snacks and premium liquors are available throughout the entire journey. You will also have access to an open-air viewing car equipped with shaded canopies.
Tickets for the Verde Canyon train can be booked directly with the official website here or tickets can be purchased as part of a tour.
If you’re renting a car or have you own vehicle, booking directly with the Verde Canyon Railroad will be your best option unless you want to join one of the popular tours below:
- Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure – The most popular option
- Starlight Ride – An evening ride under the stars
- Grape Train Escape – Sample wines and speciality cheeses during your trip
- Sightseeing Train Ride – A luxurious train ride with Get Your Guide
Travel Tip: If tickets are sold out on the official website, you may be able to find a spot with one of the tour groups listed above.
Our Train Ride
In this next section, we’ll show you exactly what we experienced on our Verde Valley train ride.
1. Train Depot
Before boarding the Verde Valley Railroad, you will begin at the train depot. It’s a southwestern-style depot featuring the Boxcar Gift Store, John Bell Museum and Copper Spike Cafe.
If you purchased tickets online, you will need to pick them up at the Boxcar Gift Store. There was no line when we arrived and the attendants were incredibly friendly.
We arrived about 60 minutes early so we could check out the John Bell Museum. It’s a renovated boxcar filled with interesting memorabilia including history about the train, the Verde Canyon and neighboring communities.
At the depot, you will also find storyboards showcasing additional information about the train’s loading platform. Don’t miss the boards detailing the railroad’s vintage FP7 locomotives if this interests you.
The Copper Spike Cafe features a menu of regional favorites sourced from locally grown ingredients. Food can be enjoyed on the outdoor patio or carried aboard the train. See the Copper Spike Cafe menu here.
2. Boarding The Train
When it’s time to board, the whistle will sound. Your seat number will be written on your train ticket which corresponds to both the appropriate passenger car and seat on that specific car.
Each passenger can bring one bag, purse or backpack. We had to open our backpack to show the contents when we boarded.
No alcohol or outside food is allowed. However, you can purchase food in the cafe prior to boarding. Appetizers will be served on the train and you can purchase additional snacks as well.
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3. Panoramic Seats
Once aboard the train, we immediately found our seats and got settled. We sat on one of the luxury couches and the group that was supposed to be across from us did not show up.
At our seats, there was an appetizer box with menus already placed on the table. As the train started to move, we were handed a complimentary champagne toast.
Throughout the train journey, you can listen to an informational narration paired with a selection of classical railroad tunes coming from the speakers in the passenger car.
A full cash bar and restrooms were available. Honestly, we found the food and drinks aboard to be quite expensive so we stuck to the appetizers which held us for the entire trip.
4. Open Air Viewing Car
Once the train begins its journey, you’ll be free to walk between the passenger car and the open-air-viewing car that is directly attached. You can not explore between passenger cars.
Personally, we loved the open-air viewing car and we spent most of our time on the train here. Each car has a shaded canopy and an outdoor attendant who pointed out important sites as we passed by.
The historic route follows the meandering Verde River, crosses bridges, past towering red rock buttes and through a 734-ft man made tunnel.
We learned about the canyon’s history and saw many different types of wildlife. It might be a little cheesy but the outdoor attendant pointed out rock formations in the canyon and we all tried to guess what they looked like.
Along the train ride you will also see ancient cliff dwellings built by the native Sinagua people, historic mining sites and other treasures only to be found in Arizona’s desert.
If you’re interested in ruins, there’s a handful of famous ruins near Sedona and some are close to the railroad.
Travel Tip: Depending on the time of year, you may want to consider the weather if you plan to stay in the open air car. We definitely needed a thick warm coat for our December visit.
5. Canyon Views
As the train runs down the tracks, you’ll be surrounded by towering crimson cliffs and red rock pinnacles. Keep an eye out for bald eagles and blue herons soaring into the sky.
Since 1992, the Verde Canyon Railroad has partnered with Arizona game and fish to help with bald eagle restoration and preserve eagle habitats in the Verde Valley area.
Overall, it was a fun experience as we hurled through the Verde Canyon enjoying the surrounding views and learned about how this railroad was critical to the history of this area.
6. Perkinsville
After 2.0 hours, the train came to complete stop at the abandoned Perkinsville train station. The engine will disconnect and then utilize a siding to reconnect at the opposite end of the train for the return trip.
The town of Perkinsville is named for farmer A. M. Perkins who established a cattle ranch in the early 1900s. Then in 1912, a short line was opened in Perkinsville including a depot, water tower and station masters house.
Perkinsville was important due to the nearby limestone quarry which was essential because this lime was used as a flux for the Clarkdale copper smelter.
During this time in history, Perkinsville supported about 10 families with a small school, general store, section house and even a post office. But unfortunately, not for too long.
In the 1950s, the quarry and kiln were no longer needed thanks to the closure of the copper smelter. The invention of the diesel locomotive also eliminated the need for the Perkinsville water stop.
Perkinsville quickly become a ghost town. However, Perskinville had a small revival in the 1960s when it was used as a filming location for some of the scenes in How The West Was Won.
After the train turns around in Perkinsville, the train makes it way back to Clarkdale along the same route. This is great for photography purposes because you will be able to capture anything you may have missed.
Pros And Cons
Here are our pros and cons to riding the Verde Canyon Railroad near Sedona AZ:
Pros:
✅ Staff aboard the train were awesome
✅ Open air cars gave us have great views
✅ Historic sites along the old train route
✅ Unique experience near Sedona
Cons:
❌ Pretty expensive
❌ Journey seemed to drag on towards the end
❌ Food and drinks aboard the train were expensive
❌ Limited to passenger and open air car for entire trip
Special Events
It’s no surprise riding a train through the Verde Valley is one of the most popular things to do on a visit to Sedona and the railroad prides itself on special themed events throughout the year.
Prices for the special event train rides are more expensive compared to the normal Verde Canyon Railroad ride, but additional activities are always included in the special event packages.
Here are some of the special events throughout the year:
- February – Chocolate Lovers Special
- April – Easter Express
- May – Uncorked at Verde Canyon Railroad
- October – Fright Night on The Phantom Train
- December – The Magical Christmas Journey
- December – Ring In The New Year
We visited Sedona in December and despite not booking a special Christmas ride, the train was still decked out in classy decorations when we rode the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Additional featured events not pertaining to a holiday:
- Summer Starlight and Moonlight Rides
- Saturday Morning Train Rides
- Ales on Rails (beer festival)
- Grape Train Escape (wine-tasting)
- Locomotive Ride Along
See all special events on the Verde Canyon Railroad here.
Tips For Visiting
After taking this train ride ourselves, here are a few tips to consider prior to your visit:
- Tickets tend to sell out so book early if possible
- Sit in the open-air-viewing cars for the best views
- Arrive 30-60 minutes early to check in at the train depot
- The right side of train has the best views
- Don’t forget your camera for the beautiful scenery
Take advantage of the information offered by the outdoor attendants in the open-air-viewing cars. They have a wealth of knowledge and are very friendly.
The Morgan Conclusion
We spent a very busy week hiking and driving off road trails in Sedona. So we booked tickets on the Verde Canyon Railroad on our last day as a relaxing last activity.
Riding the train was a completely different experience to hiking in Sedona. This laid back vibe is what made the Verde Canyon Railroad attractive for us. We learned so much about the Verde Canyon from our attendant and enjoyed meeting fellow travelers.
Is the Verde Valley train ride worth it?
Yes, we think the Verde Canyon Railroad is worth it and it’s the perfect activity for the entire family. According to TripAdvisor, this is the second best thing to do in Clarkdale.
However, tickets for the train are expensive and if you only have a few days in Sedona, we wouldn’t recommend it. The four hour ride seemed to drag a little bit by the end, but if you’re looking for a low key activity great for the kids, a ride on the Verde Valley Canyon Railroad is definitely worth your time.
We hope our guide to the Verde Canyon Railroad helps with planning your visit!
Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Happy Travels,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen spent 6 years traveling the world, visiting over 40 countries across 4 continents and more than 30 US states. They created Where Are Those Morgans in 2018 to help others plan the best possible vacations by writing authentic travel and hiking guides based on their real experiences.
Since the arrival of baby Maya in late 2024, Mark and Kristen’s extensive travels have slowed down but they still take plenty of trips. Where Are Those Morgans now helps millions of travelers each year to visit new places and hike new trails through information-packed blog posts and expert travel guidebooks. Read more about Mark and Kristen.
Thank you for article. Going to look into for the fall when my grandkids are out of school.
Hi Bebe, your grandkids will love a ride on the Verde Valley train. Have a great trip! 🙂