Train rides are always magical, but have you ever taken one at night? Something about whizzing through the rugged desert landscape beneath billions of glittering stars is a level of enchantment that simply can’t be put into words. The Verde Canyon Railroad is a special kind of wonderful. There are various special train rides offered throughout the year, and perhaps one of the most unique is the moonlight train ride offered in the summer months.

Taking a ride on the Railroad never ceases to amaze as it carves a path through some of the most remote and stunning red rocks in Arizona.
Verde Canyon Railroad/Facebook
The rugged canyon landscape takes on a whole new personality underneath the moonlight, and you can experience that enchantment on select Saturday nights this summer.
Kick off the trip with a cocktail in hand, be it a glass of wine, a prickly pear margarita, or whatever else fits your fancy.
Verde Canyon Railroad/Facebook
Nothing quite compares to sipping some bubbly on an open-air railroad car with the crisp mountain breeze invigorating every aspect of your being.

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Sunset happens around the halfway point, just as you arrive in Perkinsville.
Facebook/Verde Canyon Railroad
A vibrant palette of colors dance across the evening sky, casting brilliantly-hued shadows on the surrounding canyon landscape.
En route back to the depot is when things truly start to get magical.
Verde Canyon Railroad/Facebook
When dusk finally sets in, billions of dazzling stars gleam overhead.
More than just celestial bodies come alive after dark.
Verde Canyon Railroad / Facebook
Nocturnal animals you've likely never seen before are just waking up to prowl the desert in search of food, and the train whizzes right past their habitats.

For more information, visit the railroad’s Verde Canyon Railroad website.

Have you ever taken the Saturday Night Starlight Ride? What’s your favorite train excursion in Arizona? We would love to hear from you in the comment section. You can check out some of our favorite train rides in Arizona in our feature article.

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Verde Canyon Railroad

Tori Jane | June 07, 2021

Are there any heritage railroads in Arizona?

There most certainly are. In fact, there are five heritage railroads in Arizona. They consist of:

  • The Verde Canyon Railroad
  • The Yuma Valley Railway
  • The Phoenix Trolley Museum
  • The Old Pueblo Trolley
  • The Grand Canyon Railway

 

A heritage railroad is defined as a railroad operated today as a living history museum of sorts. They serve to give folks a good look at how life once was, and visiting them is definitely fun! The heritage railroads in operation here in Arizona are each definitely worth the time to visit. 

 Where can I go on a railroad adventure in Arizona?

Arizona is home to several reputable companies more than happy to take you on a railroad adventure for an afternoon, an evening, or longer. Some favorites include top-notch experiences like those offered by:

  • The Verde Canyon Railroad, in Camp Verde, Arizona
  • The legendary Grand Canyon Railway out of Williams
  • Of course, there are many, so it’s difficult to narrow it down to just a few. Folks don’t always think about adventures by train when they think of Arizona, but perhaps they should. For more railroad adventure ideas in Arizona, check out this article. 

 

Can I take a scenic train ride in Arizona?

You most certainly can. There are plenty of options for those who hope to go on a train-based adventure. For example:

  • The Goldfield Ghost Town train ride out of, well, Goldfield, is an excellent option for those who are fascinated by the rich history of the area. 
  • There’s also the beautiful Verde Canyon Railroad, which is easily one of Arizona’s best scenic train rides.

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Featured Addresses
Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324, USA