The Verde Canyon Railroad is a four-hour scenic train ride through a remote section of Arizona’s Verde Valley that is not accessible by car. In this Verde Canyon Railroad review, I’m sharing what the ride was actually like, how much time you need, what food is included, and what I would do differently.
It is a good option for travelers visiting Sedona who want to see more of the surrounding landscape without adding another hike to their itinerary. The combination of comfortable indoor seating and an open-air viewing car also makes it an easy activity for families, couples, and groups.
I first heard about the Verde Canyon Railroad from a friend who highly recommended it. Since I was already visiting Sedona, it sounded like a fun way to experience a different side of Arizona without having to hike.
The combination of beautiful scenery, historic railcars, and an open-air viewing car made it an easy addition to my itinerary. It also gave us a slower, more relaxing activity between some of our busier days exploring Sedona.
If you are still deciding how to organize your trip, my 3-Day Sedona Itinerary for First-Time Visitors shows how to combine the railroad with Sedona’s hikes, viewpoints, and restaurants.
The Verde Canyon Railroad departs from Clarkdale, Arizona, in the Verde Valley. It is close enough to include as a day trip from Sedona, especially if you are also planning to explore Cottonwood or other nearby attractions.
The train travels from Clarkdale to Perkinsville before returning along the same tracks. You do not get off the train at Perkinsville or anywhere else during the journey.
You will need a car to reach Clarkdale from Sedona. If you are flying into Arizona and still need transportation, I usually compare rental car prices through Discover Cars.
Ticket prices vary based on the season, seating option, and any special events, but standard Verde Canyon Railroad tickets generally start around $139 per person.
The railroad also offers themed rides throughout the year, which may cost more than the regular Verde Canyon excursion.
This is not an inexpensive activity, especially for a family or larger group. However, the ticket includes approximately four hours on the train, indoor seating, access to an open-air viewing car, a welcome toast, and a charcuterie snack box.
I chose the standard indoor seating, which also included unlimited access to the adjacent open-air viewing car.
I actually think this is the best option because you get comfortable, climate-controlled seating while still being able to step outside whenever you want for photos and panoramic views.
You are not stuck in your assigned seat for the entire four-hour trip. We moved between the indoor railcar and the open-air car throughout the ride, which made the experience much more enjoyable.
Every passenger has access to an open-air viewing car, and I highly recommend using it.
The open sides provide much better views than you get through the windows inside the train. It is also the best place for photos because you can see the canyon walls, Verde River, bridges, and surrounding desert without glass in front of you.
The viewing car gives you nearly 360-degree views, so you can move from side to side depending on where the best scenery is located.
Since the train travels out and back on the same tracks instead of completing a loop, my advice is to split your time. Spend plenty of time outside enjoying the scenery on the ride out, then head back outside during the return trip to catch anything you may have missed.
In between, relax inside, enjoy your snacks, and spend time with your travel companions.
A phone and wallet crossbody strap would also be useful here if you plan to move between the cars frequently and take a lot of photos. The canyon views are incredible, but not incredible enough to justify sacrificing your phone to them.
The Verde Canyon Railroad travels approximately 40 miles round trip from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back. The full excursion takes around four hours.
Because the train returns along the same tracks, you do see the same general route twice. However, the scenery looks different depending on your direction and which side of the viewing car you are standing on.
I will admit that four hours felt a little long without any stops. That said, if you are traveling with friends or family, it is easy to relax, enjoy the scenery, chat, and snack throughout the ride.
The length may feel more noticeable if you prefer fast-paced activities or expect to get off and explore somewhere along the route.
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The scenery is the highlight of the Verde Canyon train ride.
The train passes through areas of the Verde Canyon that are not accessible by car, giving you views that most visitors to Sedona and the Verde Valley never see.
Along the route, you will see:
The landscape changes throughout the journey. Some sections have the red rock formations you expect to see around Sedona, while others follow greener areas along the river.
The views are beautiful from inside the train, but they are even better from the open-air viewing car.
If photography is a priority during your trip, my Best Photo Spots in Sedona: 9 Scenic Locations I Loved covers more easy places to capture Arizona’s red rocks.
Yes. The train passes through a 734-foot historic tunnel during the excursion.
The tunnel itself does not take long to travel through, but it is a memorable part of the route and adds something different to the experience.
You will also cross historic trestle bridges and travel beside the Verde River as the train winds through the canyon.
Yes and no.
Our ticket included a complimentary welcome toast and a charcuterie snack box with meats, cheeses, fruit, crackers, and a brownie. The box honestly ended up being much more filling than I expected.
Before boarding, we also picked up salads from the Copper Spike Café. They were good, but looking back, I probably would not buy lunch again.
The included snack box was surprisingly generous, and it was plenty for us while enjoying the ride. If you are hungry after the trip, I would rather save room for dinner than eat a full meal beforehand.
If I booked the Verde Canyon Railroad again, I would simply enjoy the complimentary charcuterie box and skip purchasing a separate lunch.
For more dinner ideas once you return to Sedona, my Best Restaurants in Sedona: Where to Eat for Every Budget covers casual restaurants, scenic meals, and special-occasion options.
The Copper Spike Café is located at the train depot, making it convenient if you want lunch before departure.
Our salads were good, so I do not have anything negative to say about the food itself. I just did not think we needed them once we saw how much food was included in the complimentary snack box.
Travelers with larger appetites may still want lunch, but I would check what is included with your ticket before ordering a full meal.
Not at all.
Everyone had plenty of space, and the train never felt crowded. We were able to move freely between our seats and the open-air viewing car throughout the trip.
Having enough room to spread out made a noticeable difference during a four-hour excursion. We never felt like we had to compete for space in the viewing car or rush back to our seats.
The railroad recommends arriving 1½ hours before departure, but that felt like much more time than we needed. If you are simply checking in and boarding the train, I would arrive approximately 30–45 minutes early.
The gift shop is fairly small, so unless you want to browse slowly or eat lunch before boarding, you probably do not need the full recommended arrival time.
If you plan to have lunch at the Copper Spike Café before the train departs, arriving about one hour early should be plenty. I would still allow extra time for traffic, parking, and check-in rather than arriving at the last minute.
You do not need a large amount of gear for the Verde Canyon train ride, but a few basics will make the excursion more comfortable.
Bring a camera or fully charged phone because the open-air viewing car provides plenty of photo opportunities. I also like traveling with a slim Clutch Powerbank so I do not have to worry about my phone dying halfway through a long activity.
Sunglasses can be useful when the sun is bright, especially when standing outside.
Because the indoor seating is climate-controlled, you may want a light layer if you tend to get cold. The open-air car may also feel cooler or windier depending on the season.
My What to Wear in Sedona in June guide also explains what worked for the heat, cooler mornings, hikes, and nicer dinners.
Yes. I think the Verde Canyon Railroad is worth doing if you are visiting Sedona or the Verde Valley and want to see scenery most travelers never get to experience.
The indoor seating and open-air viewing car give you a good balance of comfort and views. The four-hour ride did feel a little long without any stops, but it was still an enjoyable way to see a different part of Arizona.
I would ride it again, but I would skip lunch at the Copper Spike Café and just enjoy the included charcuterie box. It was much more filling than I expected and, for me, that is all you really need.
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