For over 100 years, the Verde Canyon Railroad has been the passenger train of choice for Arizonans everywhere. Traversing the high desert landscape filled with red rocks and dense foliage, the ride is nothing short of magical. Whether you’re a rail enthusiast, nature lover, or a little bit of both, you’ll adore the rich heritage and breathtaking scenery. There’s no such thing as a bad time to embark on this incredible journey, but climbing aboard in the winter offers an especially mesmerizing experience. Chugging along through the snow-covered forests and canyonlands, this winter train ride will rekindle your love for Arizona.
Arizona’s famous Verde Canyon Railroad is best known for its plethora of themed train rides held all throughout the year.
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad From the Fall Colors Tour in the autumn to the Magical Christmas Journey™ that’s the talk of the town during the holidays, there’s always something going on.
The time in between the seasonal events, however, often gets overlooked.
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad You can ride the train year-round, and the 40-mile round trip through a canyon only accessible via rail is always worth taking. With various levels of luxury ranging from coach to first class, the historic train cars take passengers on an enthralling journey back to a simpler time. The astonishing views aren’t too bad, either!
If you’ve never climbed aboard the train in the winter, it’s an experience worth having.
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad The gleaming white snow stands in stark contrast with the ancient red rocks, making for a truly magical scene.
Paralleling the gorgeous Verde River, the journey takes you from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back.
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad The landscape of the high desert is always beautiful, but even more so when it transforms into a winter wonderland. As you ride through over 100 years of natural, architectural, and cultural history, you’ll gain an entirely new perspective on the rugged surroundings.
Look carefully into the background of this photo, and you’ll see the town of Jerome perched high atop a snow-covered Cleopatra Hill.
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad The majestic Mingus Mountains are equally blanketed, reminiscent of gumdrops with a dusting of powdered sugar.
You may even get the chance to spot a bald eagle or two along the way!
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad Nesting season is December through May, so the skies over Verde Canyon are abuzz with our national bird. Even more incredible, on select Saturdays, you can get up close and personal with a bald eagle, as well as owls and other wild birds.
Address: 300 North Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324.
Google Maps
Visit the Verde Canyon Railroad website or Facebook page for more information and/or to book a ride.
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad
From the Fall Colors Tour in the autumn to the Magical Christmas Journey™ that’s the talk of the town during the holidays, there’s always something going on.
You can ride the train year-round, and the 40-mile round trip through a canyon only accessible via rail is always worth taking. With various levels of luxury ranging from coach to first class, the historic train cars take passengers on an enthralling journey back to a simpler time. The astonishing views aren’t too bad, either!
The gleaming white snow stands in stark contrast with the ancient red rocks, making for a truly magical scene.
The landscape of the high desert is always beautiful, but even more so when it transforms into a winter wonderland. As you ride through over 100 years of natural, architectural, and cultural history, you’ll gain an entirely new perspective on the rugged surroundings.
The majestic Mingus Mountains are equally blanketed, reminiscent of gumdrops with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Nesting season is December through May, so the skies over Verde Canyon are abuzz with our national bird. Even more incredible, on select Saturdays, you can get up close and personal with a bald eagle, as well as owls and other wild birds.
Google Maps
Have you ever taken a winter train ride in Arizona on the Verde Canyon Railroad? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience! Tell us in the comments. To learn more about riding first class, check out our previous article.
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Address: Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324, USA
