Verde Canyon Railroad Events
Eagle Watch
Approximately 3,000 breeding pairs of bald eagles, up from 400 in the 1960s, thrive in the lower 48 states. Verde Canyon still provides a viable nesting site for multiple pairs of eagles and supports the migration of bald and golden eagles from December through March.
The bald eagle, America’s symbol since 1782, along with other aerial residents and feathered guests, are seldom bothered by the train’s presence as it passes through this isolated ecosystem. As a result, passengers are often treated to seeing them in a natural sanctuary, one more facet of the rail journey.
Chocolate Lovers’ Festival
Verde Canyon Railroad’s popular Chocolate Lovers’ Special combines the thrill of a wild, scenic train ride through Arizona’s premier red-rock Canyon with a sumptuous selection of decadent chocolates and romance-themed cocktails. No one to cuddle with? It’s still the perfect venue for a Gal-entine’s Day celebration, and besties who crave the sweet richness of chocolate served in a number of ways, including straight up.
2025 Dates: February 13,14, 15
Raptors at the Depot
Since 1990, the bald eagles seen soaring in the Canyon have become synonymous with the Railroad. Because of the connection to America’s symbol of freedom, the Railroad partnered with Phoenix-based Liberty Wildlife, a non-profit devoted to nurturing and rehabilitating raptors with a goal to return them to the wild. The birds, whose injuries are serious enough that they can no longer hunt or fly, become ambassadors. Many come to Verde Canyon Railroad on select days each month to educated passengers about how valuable these birds of prey are to Arizona’s ecosystem. During the summer season, passengers are privileged to interact with a variety of reptiles.
February 13; March 1, 6, 9, 20; April 3, 12, 17; May 8, 18, 22; June 12; July 9; August 13; September 11, 20, 25; October 4, 9,12; November 7, 9, 21, 28, 29; December 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 15-24
Easter Bunny Express
Our favorite “seasonal employee, E. Bunny, makes a pre-Easter visit to Verde Canyon Railroad on Saturday, April 19 for plenty of hare-raising fun on the pavilion before the train departs at 1 p.m. Sharing hugs, high fives, handfuls of Easter candy and keepsake photo moments, the Easter Bunny will waive the train off after presenting the prize to the winner of the jelly-bean counting contest.
Uncorked Wine Festival
“Rosé All Day?” How about “Rosé All May?” Verde Canyon Railroad’s Uncorked Wine Festival celebrates the lush juice of fermented grapes at the depot every day the train runs at 1:00pm during the month of May, which is almost every day. A variation of wines – red, white and blush – can be sampled and sipped at the depot’s pavilion prior to the train’s departure. Wines are selected from viticulture regions that span the globe, including closer to home, right here in Arizona.
Every day except May 3, 10, 11, 12, 17, 24, 26, 31
Grape Train Escapes and Starlight Rides
Saturdays in May also jumpstart the Grape Train Escape season, which runs in tandem to our Starlight Tours. The bounty of beauty in the Verde Canyon takes on a new nocturnal ambiance as the train glides past ancient artifacts, sculpted stone parapets and cliffs etched by millenniums. On the Grape Train Escapes, new and exciting wines from all over the world, many of which are just debuting in Arizona, are the perfect antidote for a fast-paced routine, slowing life down to the rhythm of the rails. The juxtaposition of moonglow around curves and the flickering of galaxies adds a dash of romance to the iron roadway.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; June 7, 14, 21, 28; July 5, 12, 19, 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; September 6, 13
2025 Dates for Starlight Tours Only: September 20, 27 - AND - October 4, 11, 18, 25
Ales on Rails
The first sign of autumn isn’t always the changing of the leaves; sometimes it’s the changing of kegs. From September 14 to October 31, Verde Canyon Railroad salutes Oktoberfest with Ales on Rails, a celebration of local craft beers purveyed on the depot pavilion. The popular season is in its 23rd year, featuring a wide array of Arizona ales available to suit every beer lover’s taste, and the perfect accompaniment to a delicious Copper Spike Café lunch before the train whistle blows. September 14 through October 31
Approximately 3,000 breeding pairs of bald eagles, up from 400 in the 1960s, thrive in the lower 48 states. Verde Canyon still provides a viable nesting site for multiple pairs of eagles and supports the migration of bald and golden eagles from December through March.
The bald eagle, America’s symbol since 1782, along with other aerial residents and feathered guests, are seldom bothered by the train’s presence as it passes through this isolated ecosystem. As a result, passengers are often treated to seeing them in a natural sanctuary, one more facet of the rail journey.
Chocolate Lovers’ Festival
Verde Canyon Railroad’s popular Chocolate Lovers’ Special combines the thrill of a wild, scenic train ride through Arizona’s premier red-rock Canyon with a sumptuous selection of decadent chocolates and romance-themed cocktails. No one to cuddle with? It’s still the perfect venue for a Gal-entine’s Day celebration, and besties who crave the sweet richness of chocolate served in a number of ways, including straight up.
2025 Dates: February 13,14, 15
Raptors at the Depot
Since 1990, the bald eagles seen soaring in the Canyon have become synonymous with the Railroad. Because of the connection to America’s symbol of freedom, the Railroad partnered with Phoenix-based Liberty Wildlife, a non-profit devoted to nurturing and rehabilitating raptors with a goal to return them to the wild. The birds, whose injuries are serious enough that they can no longer hunt or fly, become ambassadors. Many come to Verde Canyon Railroad on select days each month to educated passengers about how valuable these birds of prey are to Arizona’s ecosystem. During the summer season, passengers are privileged to interact with a variety of reptiles.
February 13; March 1, 6, 9, 20; April 3, 12, 17; May 8, 18, 22; June 12; July 9; August 13; September 11, 20, 25; October 4, 9,12; November 7, 9, 21, 28, 29; December 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 15-24
Easter Bunny Express
Our favorite “seasonal employee, E. Bunny, makes a pre-Easter visit to Verde Canyon Railroad on Saturday, April 19 for plenty of hare-raising fun on the pavilion before the train departs at 1 p.m. Sharing hugs, high fives, handfuls of Easter candy and keepsake photo moments, the Easter Bunny will waive the train off after presenting the prize to the winner of the jelly-bean counting contest.
Uncorked Wine Festival
“Rosé All Day?” How about “Rosé All May?” Verde Canyon Railroad’s Uncorked Wine Festival celebrates the lush juice of fermented grapes at the depot every day the train runs at 1:00pm during the month of May, which is almost every day. A variation of wines – red, white and blush – can be sampled and sipped at the depot’s pavilion prior to the train’s departure. Wines are selected from viticulture regions that span the globe, including closer to home, right here in Arizona.
Every day except May 3, 10, 11, 12, 17, 24, 26, 31
Grape Train Escapes and Starlight Rides
Saturdays in May also jumpstart the Grape Train Escape season, which runs in tandem to our Starlight Tours. The bounty of beauty in the Verde Canyon takes on a new nocturnal ambiance as the train glides past ancient artifacts, sculpted stone parapets and cliffs etched by millenniums. On the Grape Train Escapes, new and exciting wines from all over the world, many of which are just debuting in Arizona, are the perfect antidote for a fast-paced routine, slowing life down to the rhythm of the rails. The juxtaposition of moonglow around curves and the flickering of galaxies adds a dash of romance to the iron roadway.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; June 7, 14, 21, 28; July 5, 12, 19, 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; September 6, 13
2025 Dates for Starlight Tours Only: September 20, 27 - AND - October 4, 11, 18, 25
Ales on Rails
The first sign of autumn isn’t always the changing of the leaves; sometimes it’s the changing of kegs. From September 14 to October 31, Verde Canyon Railroad salutes Oktoberfest with Ales on Rails, a celebration of local craft beers purveyed on the depot pavilion. The popular season is in its 23rd year, featuring a wide array of Arizona ales available to suit every beer lover’s taste, and the perfect accompaniment to a delicious Copper Spike Café lunch before the train whistle blows. September 14 through October 31
Magical Christmas Journey: The Magical Christmas Journey™ begins at the Verde Canyon Railroad depot in Clarkdale, followed by an hour roundtrip train ride to the North Pole and back on Santa’s Secret Tracks accessed through the Magic Tunnel. You will want to come early and stay late to embrace the season on a family adventure that is truly mystical. The first train rolls out of the depot the day after Thanksgiving and the last one departs on Christmas Eve. This popular event fills up fast, so don’t miss the opportunity to visit our local North Pole and ride the train with Santa Claus.
November 28, 29 and December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 15-24
November 28, 29 and December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 15-24
