Arizonas leading viticultural area rubs shoulders with ancient cliff dwellings and experiments in arcology architecture and ecology, either side of i17, running north of phoenix. Jerome verde valley history tour with winetasting and lunch. Verde canyon railroad train ride in clarkdale arizona. Verde canyon railroad has always practiced a high standard of cleanliness. During our trip to northern arizona in november 2019, we had book reservations for the verde canyon railroad.
Youll rub elbows with verde canyon railroad s engineer and conductor as they prepare the train for the run before having lunch at the copper spike cafe. Confirmed prehistoric sites from the southern sinagua and yavapai cultures can be found all along the verde valley. Good book, i rated it 4stars as i hoped for a little more history details. Verde canyon railroad added a new photo to the album. The verde canyon railroad carries 100,000 passengers per year 20 figure. Sedonas shopping district is one of the best youll find in northern arizona.
The verde valley is an excellent spot in which to book your lodging if you want to explore cottonwood, sedona, jerome and beyond from one central spot. On november 17, 1911, the verde valley railway was chartered as a nonoperating subsidiary of the santa fe railway. The verde canyon railroad runs between two protected sanctuaries, the coconino national forest and the prescott national forest, where dramatic high desert meets a unique riparian area. The verde canyon railroad winds its way along the scenic verde river at a leisurely 12 mph 19 kph, offering passengers a unique way to experience the arizona wilderness.
Verde valley rail and montezuma castle sightseeing tour. Surrounded by highlands with some reaching up to 7,000 feet, its altitude at just over 3,000 feet results in a temperate climate, pleasantly mild outside the peak of summer. Take a journey through 110 years of history while enjoying climate control, comfortable seating, thoughtful decor and aweinspired scenery. Oct 28, 2016 the verde canyon railroad is a heritage railroad running between clarkdale and perkinsville in northcentral arizona. Watch from your window or the open air viewing cars as bald eagles, blue heron, and 74 other species of animals fly, swim, and interact in the picturesque. Cottonwood hotel, circa 1917 the streetroad from old town cottonwood to clarkdale is the same road as historic route 89a. Publishers of railroad history books signature press. Reviewed in the united states on february 15, 2009 first line. Located in the heart of arizona, between the sonoran desert and the mountain highlands of the colorado plateau, the verde valley has been a pleasant refuge for man and beast for. Welcome to railsnw train tours, train vacations, train. To comply with covid19related restrictions, you may see reduced availability in certain locales, and reservations may be subject to cancellation. Throughout the ride, enjoy the comfort of an airconditioned firstclass car or.
On his first ride through the unspoiled wilderness, he knew that this was a treasure, both scenic and historic, that must be preserved. With 186 curves on the short 26mile narrow gauge stretch, the railroad became known as the crookedest line in the world. Wifi and parking are free, and this motel also features a front desk. The tracks on which the verde canyon railroad runs were opened in 1912 as part of a northsouth branch line linking a copper smelter at clarkdale and the copper mines at jerome to santa fe railway tracks passing through drake. The verde canyon railroad offers the natural splendor of verde canyon. Hotel history the united verde hospital was constructed in 1926, to replace the old hospital constructed in 1917, when a fault shift, due to blasting, damaged the south wing. Monday through thursday only, not valid in march, april and october.
Take a trip to the beautiful verde valley in central arizona. Take i17 north to exit 287 cottonwood, camp verde, clarkdale. Journey through the coconino national forest and the beautiful verde valley on the verde valley railway. Once patients and equipment were moved to the new hospital in january 1927, the wing was. It is in the verde river valley of central arizona, 85 miles north of phoenix, at an. The refurbished heritage railroad cars make the roundtrip journey through national forest land, with stellar views out windows on both sides of the train. The verde river provides fertile soil and most importantly, water. Discover the historic area of verde valley wine traila scenic riverfront, monuments, and top sights from out of africa wildlife park to verde canyon railroad. In 1911, the santa fe started grading for the verde valley railroad. Probable sites as pueblos of forty or more rooms, small cave dwellings, irrigation canals, blufftop forts and overlooks, and pit house villages, described by archaeologist, peter j.
Top hotels in verde valley wine trail estimated price for 1 night 2 adults. Long before the railroad helped arizona become the 48th state, native sinagua people made their homes in this verdant valley around 1100. Drive past the verde river, turn right on main st, and follow it through a scenic state park to get to clarkdale, the home of the verde canyon railroad train depot. Games and puzzles about the book and trip to the north pole aboard verde. The united verde hospital was constructed in 1926, to replace the old hospital constructed in 1917, when a fault shift, due to blasting, damaged the south wing. Verde canyon railroad clarkdale 2020 all you need to. Signature press has been publishing highquality railroad history books since 1993. Keeping an eye out for verde canyon railroad discounts is something that sedona area visitors are encouraged to do. Get 25% off discount taken off standard room rates. Drive through old town cottonwood, past tuzigoot until you see a sign on the corner that says verde canyon railroad. Since 1912 this heritage railroad, sandwiched between two protected national forests, has existed in harmony in the wilderness through which it passes and the canyons native inhabitants. If you want to find things to see and do in the area, you might want to stop in and see out of africa wildlife park and cathedral rock. Verde canyon railroad is a southwestern adventure that takes passengers on a ride through arizonas backcountry, only accessible from the comfort of this train. Train reservations, information and online booking for alaska railroad, australian rail, chepe, copper canyon, copper canyon train, durango and silverton, european trains, grand canyon railway, grandluxe rail journeys, mckinley explorer, montana rockies rail tours, new zealand rail, rovos rail, royal canadian pacific, sierra madre express, the blue train, the british pullman, the royal.
The train is the perfect venue from which to discover its history and see the canyon, whose intrinsic beauty is eternal through all seasons. Cowan a great source of history, full of photos, this book celebrates the verde valley from its prehistoric settlements to the arizona state centennial celebration 2012. Verde canyon railroad offers an exclusive opportunity for one person each day to experience a locomotive ridealong with seating inside the cab of a powerful railroad engine. Verde canyon railroad discounts coupons for verde canyon. The santa fe railway owned and operated the 38mile 61 km branch line from 1912 to 1988. Apr 01, 2015 scenic tour of the verde valley via the verde valley railway. Sedona has more than 60 art galleries, many specializing in traditional and contemporary native american art and landscape paintings. Take a tour of the historic ghost town of jerome, a tour of the copper art museum in clarkdale, as well as stunning views from your first class seat on the verde canyon railroad lunch is included. The original verde valley railway line remained a branch of the santa fe until 1989 when it decided to sell corridor to the durbano family, which named the new route the verde canyon railroad. Explore verde valley holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Discover the remote verde valley from the idyllic vantage point of an oldfashioned train on a ride along the verde canyon railroad.
Offering fine lodging, great food and incredible views of the surrounding valley. Verde canyon railroad and historic jerome tour 2020 phoenix. From the luxury of first class you will have included champagne, and a sandwich and chicken wing bar. This small 86 page book is loaded with photographs, maps and information that gave me a much clearer understanding of the gutwrenching work that mining is.
The unspoiled wilderness you will tour through is a scenic and historic treasure that has left people in awe since 1911. Drive through old town cottonwood, past tuzigoot until you see a. Thesis, university of virginia is a source of information about the role of railroads with these two parks, and. Railroading in the verde valley of north central arizona was bound up in the copper mining activities of jerome, wellknown mining hamlet perched precariously on a 30degree mountain slope some 2,000 feet above the valley floor. This is the only photo known showing both hospitals before the removal of the damaged wing. Scenic excursion on the verde canyon railroad youtube.
Verde valley railroad proved to be a workhorse, continuing to haul passengers and freight even after the mines closed. The verde valley was recently named a top 10 travel destination by lonely planet, so come enjoy a wonderful day of touring with detours. The verde valley s popular destination, identified as a state treasure by arizonas governor in 2005. Clarkdale az hotels hotels near clarkdale cottonwood hotel. The verde canyon railroad tells the story of arizonas rowdy past. From sedona real, drive south on 89a, and take a right onto mingus ave. The verde canyon railroad offers guests a trip through arizonas spectacular verde. The train is the perfect venue from which to discover its history and see the canyon. You can spend a laidback day checking out the sights and exploring the area. Voted best in the west and most perfect stay, the ghost city inn is a historic inn located in the heart of the copper mining town of jerome, arizona. The passenger excursion line operates on 20 miles 32 km of tracks of the clarkdale arizona central railroad azcr, a shortline. This train ride winds through the very scenic verde canyon.
This book celebrates the colorful history of the verde valley from its prehistoric settlements to the arizona state centennial celebration in 2012. Take a trip into the past on the united verde and pacific railway. Got to travel with a full grown american bald eagle aboard for the trip. Verde canyon railroad sedona verde valley tourism council. Today, the railroad takes you on a 40mile roundtrip from clarkdale to the ghost town of perkinsville, along the way passing through two national forests. The verde valley is surrounded by the mingus mountains and woodchute mountains and is traversed by the verde river. Go on highway 260 approximately 14 miles to the fifth traffic light. The verde valley is rich in history and prehistoric sites. Glenn hoffmans history of the acl railroad company states that henry or harry worked with the engineering corps building the valley railroad after graduating from lawrence scientific school, harvard university, in 1873 p. Tripadvisor verde canyon railroad adventure provided by. There are no hotels or motels within the town limits of clarkdale, arizona. Book now at 20 restaurants near verde canyon railroad on opentable. This legendary boutique attraction allows members of groups an uncommon view of a wildlywonderful redrock canyon.
Located in the heart of arizona, between the sonoran desert and the mountain highlands of the colorado plateau, the verde valley has been a pleasant refuge for man and beast for thousands of years. Verde valley railroads is an important addition to any library of arizona history. Who is verde canyon railroad at verde canyon railroad. Sep 30, 2016 sedonas shopping district is one of the best youll find in northern arizona. Experience the history of the old ghost town of jerome which sits atop cleopatra hill and enjoy a tour of the copper art museum in clarkdale. Remember, our excursions sell out quickly, so if you are interested in riding, make sure to book your reservation today. Our companys mission is to keep alive the rich mechanical, industrial, and transportation heritage of our state through the continual operation of our vintage steam and diesel locomotives and passenger coaches. Two basic reports on railroads in the national parks that are highly recommended are alfred runtes 1998 trains of discovery. Many of sedonas galleries, boutiques and specialty stores are the personal creations of sedonas longtime residents. We will help you board at 1 pm, this iconic sightseeing train in first class. Book your tickets for the verde canyon railroad through us and get the following midweek special. It is a successor and enlargement of central valley railroad publications, and has acquired rights to more than fifty former titles of howellnorth, darwin and superior railroad books. Venture to the verde valley on the verde canyon railroad. The verde canyon railroad has its depot, headquarters, and a railway museum in clarkdale, about 25 miles 40 km southwest of sedona.
Aboard the train verde canyon rr, sedona area tours. Explore verde valley holidays and discover the best time and. Gloves will continue to be worn when preparing and serving all food products. The verde valleys popular destination, identified as a state treasure by arizonas governor in 2005. If you are looking for a place to escape the daily grind, the ghost city inn bed and breakfast is that place. Passengers enjoy a funfilled ride in vintage cars of an historic train that winds through the verde river canyon, one of the most beautiful wild canyons in the world, hugging the lush green banks of the verde river all along the way. Book your summer experience for the entire family where the pavement ends, the journey begins. The cottonwood hotel is located in old town downtown cottonwood which borders clarkdale town limits. What makes the lesson even more compelling is that almost no one comes for the history. The highlight of your trip will be a picturesque ride in first class aboard the historic verde canyon railroad. Far from any highways or cities, nature lovers can catch unspoiled views of the regions wildlife, geology, and historical sites.
Cruising along the curves of the verde river, the train takes. After all, saving money is never a bad thing, and a ride on this historic railway is definitely worth adding to an arizona vacation itinerary. The verde canyon railroad is a heritage railroad running between clarkdale and perkinsville in northcentral arizona. The verde canyon railroad is a heritage railroad running between clarkdale and perkinsville. Enjoy the historic surroundings, learn about the sedona area railroad history, grab a delicious bite to eat with friends and stop by the gift shop. Located in the red rock country near sedona, verde canyon railroads rare ribbon of rails runs through a dramatic high desert landscape adjacent to a precious riparian ecosystem. Verde canyon railroad gives you an exclusive look at what sedona and the verde valley would have been like before all the people, construction, and traffic got in the way of the beauty. The verde canyon railway train ride is just a 3mile straight shot from the cottonwood hotel and just 1 mile from the asis. Summer outside the city at verde canyon railroad globenewswire. The verde river flowing through the canyon is flanked with cottonwood trees giving it a green color almost year round, hence the spanish description, verde. Scenic tour of the verde valley via the verde valley railway.
Clarkdale, az the cottonwood hotel is the closest hotel to the small town of clarkdale. The verde canyon railroad is a heritage railroad running between clarkdale and perkinsville in the u. In consideration of the recent virus outbreak additional sanitizers and disinfectants have been added to each train car, restrooms and food prep areas. Its a rare chance to experience 1500 horses under the hood while riding a surge of enormous power. Remember that verde canyon railroad is the only train in north america that. Camp verde lies near the geographic center of arizona. Read more about the cluster of central arizona communities that make up the verde valley. Verde canyon railroad clarkdale 2020 all you need to know. The magical christmas journey verde canyon rr, sedona. Jan, 2017 the verde canyon railroad runs between two protected sanctuaries, the coconino national forest and the prescott national forest, where dramatic high desert meets a unique riparian area. In less than half an hour by car, you can be transported from the nestled red rocks of sedona to the verde canyon railroad train station.
This small 86 page book is loaded with photographs, maps and information that. Have you seen his name connected with anything for this railroad. Below is the current 2020 calendar for verde canyon railroad, located just outside of sedona. From 19 to 1989 the line was operated by the atchison, topeka and santa fe railway santa fe railway. Nov 24, 2019 during our trip to northern arizona in november 2019, we had book reservations for the verde canyon railroad.
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