Making a trip to Sedona first week of April. Has anyone taken this train ride? Is it worth the money? Better to drive through the canyon on your own? Is ghosttown of Perkinsville at the end interesting? Thanks for letting me know!

My family did the Verde Canyon railroad trip last week for the first time. It was a highlight of the week in Sedona, even though I have been to that area a dozen times. It was more than worth the money. Pay extra for the 1st class car- it is much more comfortable and the service is great, plus you get the free appetizer bar and full cash bar in the car. You can not drive through the canyon on your own, at least not the route right through the canyon that the railroad follows, and I did not see a "rim drive" road either. The turn around at Perkinsville was interesting, as they have to unhook the engine and bring it around to the "back" of the train to do the reverse trip back to the station at Clarksville. It is definitely a ghost town and they explain facts about it (How the West Was Won was filmed there) but it was not the best part of the trip - the scenery was. I did this trip because my husband wanted to, and I thought I'd be bored along w/our two teenagers, but all of us really enjoyed it. The canyon is absolutely stunningly beautiful, and we saw the bald eagles nest which was huge and impressive. On the train the day before they saw 3 bald eagles. Spring should be a different trip, w/flowers blooming, although it's been a dry year. We used the outdoor observation car for about half of the trip, going in and out to see different things - the narration on the train combined with the live guide on our car was great. We also met a very nice couple on the train and talked the whole trip back to Clarksdale with them.
The train was sold out the entire week we were there. I got reservations two months ahead of time online. April will also be busy.
I kept notes all week and I'm going to do a trip report on the week soon when I have the time, maybe this weekend.

Thank you very much for this lengthy reply! When you only have so many days to enjoy an area, you want to be sure you pick the highlights. I'll share this info with our friends who will be traveling with us! Thanks again! midwestpatty

Is the trip into Verde Canyon just as good in September. Planning a trip then and planning to take the train. Thanks.

It is supposedly different and nice every season. Winter for the bald eagles, spring for the new baby eagles and flowers, summer they do a wine train deal, etc., Chekc the website, whatever they say about summer/fall you can count on it. I found the info on the website to be accurate.

thanks for the info emd

We did the train this summer for the first time and just loved it. I plan to go again in another season. We did it in June and had a massive hailstorm during the trip. A rockslide blocked the track and they had to send another engine up to pull us back. There were temoporary waterfalls galore streaming off the cliffs of the canyon - just great!

The train is the only way into the canyon. There is a road but i belive it can only be used by the two families that live in the canyon - most of the canyon is wilderness area and cars are prohibited.

There is a nice Mexican restaurant near the train station for a meal either before or after the trip.

Is the Mexican restaurant the Javalina Cantina? I've read some things about this and was thinking of trying it when we go in April.

patty: I think he was saying that the mexican restaurant is in Clarksdale close to the Verde Rail station. Javelina Cantina is in in Sedona.

Hi midwestpatty. Do yourself a favor and do the train! My husband and I did it last year in March and loved it. I agree with emd - pay the extra money and upgrade to first class. You will be glad you did. There was a lot more room to move around and you're not as packed in, and don't forget the free beverage and food. The station itself has a snack bar and a gift shop. I'd get there a few minutes early to look around the gift shop - I thought it was very reasonably priced. We saw a baby bald eagle in it's nest. Be sure to have a camera - we spent well over half the trip there on the outside car taking pictures. Have fun - you'll love it!!