Forty acres of shade trees, real steam locomotives, and a carousel older than the interstate highway system sit right in the middle of Scottsdale, and most people driving past on Indian Bend Road have no idea it’s there. This isn’t a theme park with a mascot and a gift shop empire behind it. It’s a city park that happens to have its own working railroad, and it’s been quietly delighting families since the mid-1970s.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park traces back to 1967, when the Fowler McCormick family donated a chunk of the old McCormick Ranch to Scottsdale with one condition: it had to stay open for everyone to enjoy. A few years later, local train enthusiast Guy Stillman brought his own scale railroad, the Paradise & Pacific, to the site, and the park officially opened its gates on October 4, 1975. It was renamed in 1996 to honor both families, and today it’s one of the most low-key, high-value stops in the entire Valley.
What to Ride and See
The centerpiece is the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, a scaled-down reproduction of a Colorado narrow gauge line that actually runs on real steam and diesel power. Three steam locomotives, two diesel engines, and an electric engine rotate through duty, and the train rolls out of a covered shed every thirty minutes on weekdays and almost continuously on weekends. It’s a genuine railroad in miniature, not a carnival ride, and that distinction is obvious the moment you hear the whistle.
Right next to the depot sits the Scottsdale Charros Carousel, hand carved and completed in 1950, then lovingly restored and registered with the National Carousel Association as a piece of preserved history. Thirty horses and two wheelchair-accessible chariots spin under the original mechanism, giving the ride a warmth and craftsmanship you just don’t find on newer carousels. Both the train and carousel run on the same $3-per-ride ticket, and an $12 all-day wristband covers unlimited rides if you’re planning to stay a while.
On the first weekend of the month between October and May, the park also runs the Arboretum Train, a slower, quieter ten-minute loop through a two-acre desert arboretum planted with cacti and native trees. It’s donation based rather than ticketed, and it’s a nice change of pace from the main line if you’re visiting on the right weekend.
Beyond the rides, there’s an indoor model railroad exhibit and a small railroad museum built into a retired train car, both worth a look for anyone even mildly curious about how the layouts and old equipment actually work. Kids gravitate toward the play structures and splash pad scattered around the grounds, and the Family Circus Pavilion adds another dedicated play area for younger visitors.
Atmosphere & Setting
Everything here is outdoors and shaded generously by mature trees, which makes a real difference during Arizona’s hotter months. The grounds have the relaxed feel of a neighborhood park rather than an attraction built to funnel you through gift shops, with wide grassy areas, picnic ramadas, and benches scattered along the rail line for anyone who just wants to sit and watch the trains go by.
The train shed and depot buildings lean into a rustic, old-railway aesthetic that fits the equipment inside, while the arboretum section feels distinctly desert, all saguaros and gravel paths rather than manicured lawn. It’s an easy place to lose track of time, whether you’re chasing toddlers around the play areas or just enjoying a quiet lap around the grounds.
Other Considerations
Is there an admission fee? No, entry to the park itself is free; you only pay per ride, at $3.00 each, with an 8-ticket pack available for $20 and an all-day wristband for $12.
Is this good for young kids? Very much so. The scale of everything, from the train speed to the carousel horses, is built with small children in mind, and the splash pad and playgrounds give them plenty to do between rides.
Is parking easy? Yes, the park has its own free parking lot off Indian Bend Road, which is a relief compared to navigating Old Town Scottsdale.
When should I visit? Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, while weekends bring more continuous train and carousel operation. If you want the Arboretum Train specifically, plan around the first weekend of a month between October and May.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
📍 7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Website: https://www.therailroadpark.com/
