Ride Through Arizona’s Wintery Landscape On The Verde Canyon Railroad

Have you ever taken a winter train ride in Arizona? 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 scenic train ride in Arizona will rekindle your love for the state.

Arizona's famous Verde Canyon Railroad is best known for its plethora of themed train rides held all throughout the year.

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. But what about winter train rides?

The time in between the seasonal events often gets overlooked.

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 along this winter train ride near me in Arizona aren't too bad, either!

If you've never taken a winter train ride in Arizona, it's an experience worth having.

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 winter train ride takes you from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back.

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.

The majestic Mingus Mountains are equally blanketed, reminiscent of gumdrops with a dusting of powdered sugar. This is a truly magical winter train ride in Arizona.

You may even get the chance to spot a bald eagle or two along the way on this scenic train ride in Arizona!

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.

Don't delay! Once the weather starts to warm up a bit, you'll miss out on these beautiful snowy landscapes on this winter train ride near me in Arizona.

Visit the website for Verde Canyon Railroad for more information or to book a ride. There is also a Facebook page for Verde Canyon Railroad.

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.

Looking for even more adventure? Check out what Viator offers for some inspiration.

The Verde Canyon Railroad isn't the only gorgeous train ride here. Check out these other scenic train rides in Arizona