Verde Canyon Railroad

The Verde Canyon Railroad offers one of the most genuinely unique family experiences in Arizona — a four-hour round-trip train journey through a remote canyon wilderness that has no road access and feels entirely removed from the tourist infrastructure of Sedona. The railroad departs from the historic Clarkdale depot, about 20 minutes southwest of Sedona, and winds along the Verde River through 12 miles of spectacular canyon scenery before returning.

The journey is aboard vintage locomotives pulling both enclosed and open-air passenger cars. The open-air cars are the preferred choice for families in mild weather — nothing compares to standing at the railing watching sheer red and black volcanic canyon walls rise hundreds of feet above the train while the Verde River flows past below. The enclosed cars are a better option in summer heat or if you have infants.

The wildlife viewing on this ride is genuinely exceptional. The Verde Canyon is a year-round home for javelinas, mule deer, wild turkeys, and great blue herons, but the railroad's bald eagle season (December through March) is what draws serious naturalists. The canyon's cottonwood forests host several active bald eagle nesting pairs, and the train passes close enough for magnificent views.

This is among the most reliable bald eagle viewing experiences in Arizona.

The train ride takes approximately four hours round trip, which is the main consideration for families with very young children or short attention spans. Bring snacks, drinks, and activities for little ones who won't be as captivated by the canyon scenery as adults. The ticket price is substantial — budget $100-$200 for a family of four — but the experience is genuinely memorable and difficult to replicate anywhere else in the Southwest.

Book tickets online in advance, especially during bald eagle season when departures sell out weeks ahead.