Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad in Sedona
Sedona, United States

Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad

Outty Ranking 72 4.7 · 131 traveler reviews4 hoursFrom $186

Pick your date

Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.

September 2026

SMTWTFS

Loading live availability

Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.

From, per person$186
View availability on Viator

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.

Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

72/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 131 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad worth booking?

Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad is a 4-hour experience in Sedona, United States, from $186 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 131 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
72 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (131)
Duration
4 hours
From
$186 per person

Hop aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad for a 4-hour rail journey through the untouched and unspoiled Verde Valley. With first class seating, you will enjoy unobstructed views of Arizona’s geological wonders, wildlife, and

What you get

    About this experience

    Hop aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad for a 4-hour rail journey through the untouched and unspoiled Verde Valley. With first class seating, you will enjoy unobstructed views of Arizona’s geological wonders, wildlife, and archaeological finds of the ancient Sinagua people who once lived in the area. The Verde Canyon Railroad offers Starlight and Moonlight excursions on select Fridays and Saturdays May through September, departing the depot during the cooler temperatures of later afternoon and traveling through sunset and into the moon glow of twilight. Sandwiched between two protected national forests and adjacent to the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, Verde Canyon Railroad brings its passengers into a untamed and unspoiled terrain, the exceedingly rare ribbon where high desert meets the river.

    What's included

    Included

    • Appetizers
    • First class seating
    • Bottled water
    • Snacks
    • Lunch
    • Champagne toast

    Not included

    • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
    • Gratuities
    • DVD (available to purchase)
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Pets are not allowed on train

    What you'll see and do

    1. Verde Canyon Railroad

      Make your way to the Verde Canyon Railroad Train Depot in Clarkdale, Arizona, not far from Sedona, to begin your Verde Canyon Railroad Starlight adventure. This rail adventure offers a wilderness train ride through the remote Verde Canyon which is known for its picturesque setting and abundant wildlife. Though it’s possible to hike in the canyon, by far the easiest way to experience it is by riding this scenic wilderness train. The train is made up of exquisitely-renovated passenger coaches and open-air viewing cars pulled by vintage locomotives and travels a route along the Verde River between Clarkdale and Perkinsville. After embarking from the Clarkdale depot, sit back for a 4-hour, 40-mile round trip that includes views of historic mining sites, geological wonders, Sinagua Indian cliff dwellings and wildlife from bald eagles to antelope.

      240 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Verde Canyon Railroad

      At the depot, be sure to visit the John Bell Museum, home to the railroad's history and artifacts from its early days, as well as a wealth of information on Clarkdale, Jerome and the Yavapai-Apache Nation.

    3. Verde River

      The train runs on the same tracks that were created following the Verde River back in 1911. The river is visible for most of your journey.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. SOB Canyon and the 150 ft tall bridge are highlights of the trip. Looking back from the bridge and down the canyon is simply gorgeous!

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Perkinsville Ghost Town

      Discover the history of Perkinsville Ghost Town through on-board commentary on your train journey. This is the turn-around point of your trip.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. Tuzigoot National Monument

      You'll ride past Tuzigoot National Monument on your train journey.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Sedona

    Departure Point: Verde Canyon Railroad Train Depot in Clarkdale, Arizona Address: 300 North Broadway, Clarkdale AZ 86324

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Departure Point: Verde Canyon Railroad Train Depot in Clarkdale, Arizona Address: 300 North Broadway, Clarkdale AZ 86324

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Paper
    Runs on
    Sat
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Verde Canyon Railroad

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infant age is 0-1 year. Any guest aged 1 and over will be charged an adult rate. Guests cannot board the train without a paid ticket

    Photos

    Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad in Sedona, photo 2Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad in Sedona, photo 3The red rocks of the Verde Canyon basking in a sunset glow during the train's summer Starlight rides.Enjoying open air car during the sunset.Magnificent Arizona sunset seen from Verde Canyon Railroad's special Saturday Night Starlight rides on select summer dates.Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad in Sedona, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 130 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Photo opportunities

    7 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    4 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    130 verified traveler reviews for Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    106
    4 star
    14
    3 star
    5
    2 star
    4
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Chelsea_H · August 2026

    We had such a wonderful...

    We had such a wonderful experience on the Verde Canyon Railroad! The entire ride was beautiful, peaceful, and so relaxing. It was the perfect way to slow down, enjoy the incredible Arizona scenery, and spend quality time together. The staff was friendly and made the experience even more enjoyable. If we could suggest one thing to make an already great experience even better, it would be to offer a Murder Mystery Train Ride! We think having a special murder mystery car where guests could enjoy the scenery while participating in an interactive mystery would be SO much fun and such a unique experience. We would absolutely come back for something like that! Overall, we had an amazing and calming experience and would definitely recommend the Verde Canyon Railroad.

    via Viator

    Henry_B · August 2026

    Retirement, Anniversary, and Birthday

    You get your moneys worth! Very courteous and personal. Enjoyed every minute of the ride! Would definitely do it again!

    Response from the operator: Henry, we appreciate you celebrating with us! We look forward to your next visit!

    via Viator

    Christopher_S · August 2026

    Amazing!!

    Absolutely stunning views during the first half of the ride and amazing starlit skies on the second half.

    Response from the operator: Thanks for riding the Starlight and sharing this lovely review. We're happy you enjoyed the adventure.

    via Viator

    Cheyenne_H · August 2026

    Once in a Lifetime

    This experience is amazing!!! If you do nothing else, do this! The staff is very knowledgeable and made this experience feel once in a lifetime. The views and stars at night are breathtaking. Not to mention, the drinks the bartender made were top notch. I couldn’t give this experience enough praise and this made my partner’s 30th birthday. Thank you again for such an amazing experience!

    Response from the operator: Thanks for riding the Starlight with us and recommending us so highly! We're grateful you and your partner celebrated a special birthday with a ride aboard Verde Canyon Railroad.

    via Viator

    Alyssa_R · August 2026

    10/10 experience!

    This was genuinely one of the coolest things I have ever experienced! From the views to the staff to the food, it was truly incredible. I would highly recommend everyone to try this out, especially the night ride. The sunset and starts were absolutely breathtaking.

    Response from the operator: 10/10! Wow! Thanks for riding with us and recommending us so highly, Alyssa!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    4 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Sat
    Price range
    $186 to $192
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    46
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 72

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)80
    Review evidence (18% weight)65
    Booking momentum (14% weight)59
    Value for money (12% weight)70
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)37
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sedona.

    How much does Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad cost?

    +

    Prices start at $186 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sedona usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad take?

    +

    Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sedona is not rushed.

    Is Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 131 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sedona, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad?

    +

    Around 46 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sedona can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sedona and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sedona within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Sedona?

    +

    Sedona's activity market is dominated by off-road jeep tours, and the difference between operators comes down to which trails they are permitted to run. Beyond that: vortex and energy walks, hot air balloon lifts at dawn, stargazing sessions in one of the darkest skies in the country, and Grand Canyon day runs north. We rank on permit access and group size. On Outty we rank every Sedona experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small-Group Grand Canyon Complete Tour from Sedona or Flagstaff, Sedona’s ONLY Guided ATV Tour: Western Red Rock Backcountry, Sedona Off-Road Jeep Tour: Rugged Western Canyons & Wildlife. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Sedona?

    +

    March to May and September to November. Summer afternoons bring monsoon storms. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Sedona?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Starlight Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad.

    Pick your date