Sedona, AZ: Arizona has had a long, romantic history with trains. Since the late 19th century entrepreneurs, prospectors and adventure seekers have ridden the rails into the Wild West in search of fortune, thrills or a bit of each. They found mountains loaded with copper, canyons that defied the most vigorous attempts at exploitation, timber-rich forests and a wild, captivating landscape that lured travelers out west by the millions.
Just 30 minutes away from Sedona, modern travelers are discovering a route to connect with the romance of the past (and the peaceful beauty of the present) on the Verde Canyon Railroad. Originally built in 1911 to service the once-booming copper mining operation based in Jerome, the Railroad now astonishes both long-time Arizona residents and first-time visitors with an intimate view into the most breathtaking Arizona attraction you’ve never heard of.
The train departs from Clarkdale, a curious and sleepy little town along the banks of the Verde River, and takes you into the hidden depths of what some call “The other Grand Canyon.” We promise you’ve never seen anything quite like it—the ponderous red rock canyons, the lush river banks, the swaths of austere high desert—all hidden away from the rest of the world in the geographic heart of Arizona.
Postcard-perfect scenery is only part of the magic of the Verde Canyon Railroad. The train itself provides a quiet sanctuary from the vacation hustle as it takes a leisurely four hours to meander from the charming Clarkdale depot to the ghost ranch at Perkinsville and back again. Families get a chance to chat, or spend quiet time absorbing the whole experience, while all their needs are catered to by the Railroad’s attentive, friendly staff.
Cell phones don’t work in the depths of the canyon, and the Railroad has wisely resisted any kind of techno-fuss or superfluous distractions on the cars, letting simple luxuries, stunning scenery and gracious service set the mood. It truly is a retreat into the heart of the land, and the mood on the train suits the spirit of the journey.
