Verde Canyon Railroad

Verde Canyon Railroad: Arizona’s Most Scenic Train Ride

Located in the red rock country near Sedona, Verde Canyon Railroad’s rare ribbon of historic rails runs through a dramatic high desert landscape following the Verde River and its precious riparian ecosystem. Since 1912 this heritage railroad, sandwiched between two protected national forests, has existed in harmony with the wilderness through which it passes and the canyon’s native inhabitants. An icon of Arizona tourism, this scenic excursion railroad began carrying passengers in 1990, sharing this treasured landscape with nearly three million visitors, all without leaving a trace in its wild Arizona canyon home.

The Verde Canyon Railroad’s four-hour rail trip takes passengers on a 20-mile journey through a scenic red rock wonderland and deep into the heart of Arizona. Every passenger enjoys luxurious living room-style accommodations, complimentary charcuterie and a champagne toast upon boarding. All also have access to an adjacent open-air viewing car throughout the ride. Full bar service is available throughout the journey. All attendants, well-versed in the canyon’s history, geology and wildlife, share highlights and answer questions throughout the journey, accompanied by a wide array of railroad tunes of every genre.

Along the route, incredible geology and scenery is revealed around every curve, as well as historical highlights such as Native-American cliff dwellings, vintage trestles and a 734-foot tunnel that plunges passengers into total darkness even on the sunniest Arizona afternoon.

Seasonal special events add to the train experience year-round: Eagle Watch, the Magical Christmas Journey and Chocolate Lovers’ Festival in the winter, the Easter Bunny Express and Uncorked Wine Festival in the springtime along with Morning Trains, Saturday Starlight Tours and Grape Train Escape wine-tasting in the summer, and Fall Color Tours and Ales on Rails beer festival.