Enjoy a full-day adventure on the rails!
Each morning before the train leaves, the Cataract Creek Gang and the Marshal square off at the Williams Depot. Then later in the day, don’t be surprised if those cowboys are up to their shenanigans – they’ve been known to try a train robbery or two in their day…
When the dust settles from the morning’s entertainment, travel the same tracks that early adventurers to the Grand Canyon followed. The train’s departs daily at 9:30 a.m. Arizona mountain standard time (except during November/December when it leaves at 8:30 a.m.). The train arrives to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 11:45 a.m. at the Grand Canyon Depot, built in 1910 (except during November/December when you will arrive at 10:45 a.m.).
You’ll arrive in the Historic Village–the heart of human history at the Grand Canyon–where you’ll have more than 3 hours to explore the canyon and its historic buildings and exhibits. After a full day of exploring one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the train departs the canyon at 3:30 p.m. and arrives back to Williams at 5:45 p.m (except during November/December when it departs at 2:30 p.m. and arrives at 4:45 p.m.). In times of high demand, a second train may be available. Please consult the schedule tables below for single and two-train dates.
| Dates | Departure Time From Williams | Arrival to Canyon | Return Departure Time from Canyon | Arrival to Williams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1-October 31 | 9:30 AM | 11:45 AM | 3:30 PM | 5:45 PM |
| November 1-December 31 (except December 25) | 8:30 AM | 10:45 AM | 2:30 PM | 4:45 PM |
| Dates | Occasion |
|---|---|
| March 1 | First Saturday of the Month |
| March 12 | Arizona Spring Break |
| April 5 | First Saturday of the Month |
| April 22 | Earth Day |
| May 3 | First Saturday of the Month |
| June 7 | First Saturday of the Month |
| July 5 | First Saturday of the Month |
| August 2 | First Saturday of the Month |
| August 16 | Celebration of Steam Engine 4960's Birthday |
| August 30 | Labor Day Celebration |
| September 6 | First Saturday of the Month |
| September 20 | Grand Canyon Railway Anniversary |
| October 4 | First Saturday of the Month |
It’s your time to take a legendary journey to an extraordinary place! The Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona, which is about 30 miles west of Flagstaff, just off Interstate 40. The train travels almost due north to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The trip measures 65 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes each way—45 minutes faster than in 1901 when the train made its first trip. The train departs Grand Canyon Depot each afternoon for the return trip to the Williams Depot. All aboard!
The Route
The Region
Grand Canyon Country is located on the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona. Most of the plateau is set at an elevation of 5,000 feet. However, the plateau also includes Williams and the Grand Canyon, both at about an elevation of 7,000 feet, and the San Francisco Peaks, the highest point in Arizona at over 12,600 feet. As a result, the journey through Grand Canyon Country features a variety of stunningly different landscapes: from the Ponderosa pine forest surrounding Williams, to a gentle drop in elevation down to the wide-open prairie before climbing back up to the Pinion pine forests as the Train approaches Grand Canyon National Park.
Native Peoples
Many Native American reservations are in and around Grand Canyon National Park and Northern Arizona. This includes the Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai and Paiute. Their culture and way of life have made an indelible impression on the region. Designers like Mary E.J. Colter, who is responsible for many of the structures built on the South Rim, drew upon the inspiration of the surrounding native cultures.
Diverse Climate
The Colorado Plateau is semi-arid and water can be scarce. However, communities like Williams and Flagstaff typically see snowy winters, and the snowmelt provides the region with its water base. The late summer months usually see monsoon rains, which occur almost daily, typically in the afternoon. When visiting the area, the best advice is to dress in layers.
Wildlife
As you travel through the forests of Grand Canyon Country, keep your eyes out for elk, mountain lions, mule deer, squirrels, and even skunks. In the high desert, it’s common to see pronghorn, which look like antelope, as well as a variety of birds—from bald eagles to horned owls, ravens to California condors. While at the South Rim, you’ll notice the animals are accustomed to humans, but please don’t feed the animals as this increases their dependency on people for food.
Plants
Along the way, you’ll see a variety of plants and trees as you change in elevation. In the first part of the trip leaving Williams and as you approach the Grand Canyon, you’ll be at over 6,000 feet elevation, where you’ll be surrounded by forests of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen. In the middle part of the journey, in the Upper Sonoran Zone, you’ll see Pinyon-Juniper woodlands, sagebrush, grama grass, and a variety of brush like live oak, salt bush and mountain ash.