McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Scottsdale, Arizona · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Outdoor rail parkTrain ridesFreeOpen 363 days a year; the railroad museum closes June to September

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a 30-acre city park in the heart of Scottsdale where families ride the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, spin on a 1950 carousel and step inside the Roald Amundsen, a Pullman car that carried presidents from Hoover to Eisenhower.

  • Free park entry
  • Train and carousel rides $3
  • Presidential Pullman car Roald Amundsen
  • 10,000 sq ft model railroad building
  • Open 363 days a year

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park at a glance

Hours
Rides and model railroad building 9 am to 5 pm (September to February) or 9 am to 7 pm (March to August); museum 10 am to 4 pm, October to May
Admission
Free park entry; ride tickets $3 each, book of 8 for $20, all-rides wristband $12
Train rides
Paradise & Pacific Railroad and Charros Carousel, 1 ticket ($3) each, year-round; children 2 and under ride free
Seasonal events
Spook-Track-Ula
Plan for
About 2 to 3 hours
Best for
Families with toddlers and young kids
Best ages
Toddlers to age 10

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Scottsdale.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A city park built around trains, depots and a president's car

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is run by the City of Scottsdale's Parks & Recreation Department on 30 acres at the corner of Scottsdale and Indian Bend roads. It mixes a working family park, with rides, playgrounds and shade trees, with a serious railroad history collection that has grown piece by piece since the 1970s.

Some of the most important pieces arrived early. In 1971 Mr. and Mrs. Franz Talley donated the Roald Amundsen, a Pullman car built in 1928 for $205,000 and one of the last cars the Pullman Company built. Every president from Herbert Hoover through Dwight Eisenhower used it, and in 1940 President Franklin Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister W. L. Mackenzie King signed an agreement aboard it for the joint defense of North America. The car is on the National Register.

In 1977 the Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society bought Magma Arizona Railroad Engine No. 6, a Baldwin 2-6-0 built in October 1907 that hauled copper ore from Superior to Magma for 38 years and served Arizona's mining railroads for 54 years before retiring in January 1960. In the late 1970s the historic Aguila Depot was moved to the park, and it now houses Hartley's General Store. The Peoria Depot became part of the Scottsdale Railroad Museum.

Since 1989 the park has also been home to Arizona's Merci Car, one of 49 boxcars that the people of France filled with gifts in 1948 to thank Americans after World War II. The cars reached New York on February 3, 1949, one for each state plus Washington, D.C.

Rides, depots, a model railroad hall and play spaces

Start at Stillman Station, the park's headquarters, to buy ride tickets. The Paradise & Pacific Railroad is a 15-inch gauge train sized for families, and the Scottsdale Charros Carousel is a 1950-vintage Allan Herschell machine. The Roundhouse attraction takes two tickets. Then head to the 10,000 square foot Model Railroad Building, which is free, where layouts fill the hall with little trains.

The free Scottsdale Railroad Museum gathers the historic Peoria Depot, the Roald Amundsen Pullman car and other artifacts and memorabilia, and from October to May the Merci Car exhibit shows original French gifts, such as toys, books, clothing and thank you notes, in a rotating display with the Arizona Capitol Museum. Outside you will find Engine No. 6, playgrounds, a splash pad, the Family Circus Pavilion with its "Giddy-Up, Daddy" bronze of cartoonist Bil Keane, and Hartley's General Store for ice cream, coffee and hot dogs.

Don’t miss

  1. The Roald Amundsen Pullman carBuilt in 1928 and used by presidents from Hoover through Eisenhower; Roosevelt signed a North American defense agreement aboard it in 1940. Note the Pullman cars close in October.
  2. Paradise & Pacific RailroadThe park's signature train ride, $3 a ticket, and the first thing most kids ask for.
  3. Magma Arizona Railroad Engine No. 6A 1907 Baldwin that spent 38 years hauling copper ore between Superior and Magma.
  4. Arizona's Merci CarA French thank-you boxcar from 1949, on display here since 1989, with its original contents shown in rotation from October to May.
  5. Model Railroad BuildingA free 10,000 square foot hall of model trains, good for a cool break from the sun.
  6. Scottsdale Charros CarouselA 1950-vintage Allan Herschell carousel, one ticket a ride.

A full day of riding, climbing and splashing

This is one of the easiest train outings in Arizona for small children. The Paradise & Pacific Railroad and the carousel each cost one ticket, and children two and under ride free. Between rides there are playgrounds, play areas and a splash pad, plenty of grass and trees for a picnic, and Hartley's General Store for an ice cream cone.

The Model Railroad Building is free and indoors, a welcome stop on a hot afternoon. An all-rides day wristband suits kids who want to ride again and again, though Roundhouse entry is not included in it.

Plan your visit: tips for McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

  • The park closes only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and closes at 2 pm on Christmas Eve.
  • The Scottsdale Railroad Museum is closed June through September, and the Pullman cars are closed in October.
  • The all-rides wristband ($12) does not include the Roundhouse.
  • School groups get 40% off with an advance reservation.
  • Cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted.

The park hosts events through the year, and its home page features Spook-Track-Ula, its fall Halloween celebration. Check the park's events page for dates, and see our roundup of Halloween train rides in Arizona for more spooky-season ideas.

Run by the City of Scottsdale

The City of Scottsdale's Parks & Recreation Department operates the park, and the Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society bought Engine No. 6 for it in 1977. Private donors funded the Family Circus Pavilion and statue. Visitors can support the park by buying ride tickets, joining as a member through its website, and signing up for park updates by email.

More Valley train outings

The Phoenix Trolley Museum on Grand Avenue is about 11 miles away. The Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler, about 19 miles south, lets kids walk through full-size passenger cars, and the Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad is about 26 miles east. Find more in our guide to train museums across Arizona.

Every train museum in Arizona

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

In our book, the big train steps are too tall for Rally's short corgi legs, so Dad gives him a boost. I love that a park like this has trains sized for little people, where a toddler can climb aboard without much help and feel very grown up. Kids learning to read can find Rally's boost moment in the pictures. There are more ideas for small readers on our train books for toddlers page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park: 20 questions families ask

Where is McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is at 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85250, at the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Indian Bend Road. From the Loop 101, take the Indian Bend Road/Talking Stick Way exit and drive about 1.7 miles west. Call (480) 312-2312 with questions.

Is McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park free?

Yes, there is no admission fee to enter the park, and the Scottsdale Railroad Museum and the Model Railroad Building are also free. You pay only for rides. As of October 2026, a single ticket is $3, a book of 8 tickets is $20, and an all-rides day wristband is $12.

How much is the train ride at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

As of October 2026, a ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad costs one ticket, which is $3, and children two and under ride free. You can save with a book of 8 tickets for $20 or an all-rides day wristband for $12. Tickets are sold at Stillman Station.

What are the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park hours?

As of October 2026, the train, carousel, Roundhouse and model railroad building run 9 am to 5 pm from September through February and 9 am to 7 pm from March through August. The park is open 363 days a year, weather permitting, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and at 2 pm on Christmas Eve.

When is the Scottsdale Railroad Museum open?

As of October 2026, the Scottsdale Railroad Museum inside the park is open 10 am to 4 pm from October through May and closed for the summer, June through September. The Pullman cars are closed during October. Admission to the museum is free for all park visitors.

What is the Roald Amundsen Pullman car?

The Roald Amundsen is a Pullman car built in 1928 for $205,000, one of the last the Pullman Company built. Every president from Herbert Hoover through Dwight Eisenhower used it, and in 1940 Franklin Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King signed a joint defense agreement aboard it. It was donated in 1971.

What is the Merci Car at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

Arizona's Merci Car is one of 49 boxcars that people in France filled with gifts in 1948 to thank Americans after World War II, one for each state and Washington, D.C. It has been displayed at the park since 1989. From October to May, original contents rotate on display with the Arizona Capitol Museum.

Is there a carousel at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

Yes. The Scottsdale Charros Carousel is a 1950-vintage Allan Herschell carousel. As of October 2026, a ride costs one $3 ticket, the same as the train, and children two and under ride free. The all-rides wristband covers unlimited carousel rides for the day.

What is in the Model Railroad Building?

The Model Railroad Building is a 10,000 square foot hall filled with model train layouts, and entry is free. As of October 2026, it keeps the same hours as the rides: 9 am to 5 pm in the cooler months and 9 am to 7 pm from March through August. It is a good indoor break on a hot day.

Is McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park good for toddlers?

Yes, it is one of the best train outings for toddlers in the Phoenix area. Children two and under ride the train and carousel free, and the park has playgrounds, play areas, a splash pad and lots of grass and shade trees. Snacks are close at hand at Hartley's General Store.

Is there food at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

Yes. Hartley's General Store sells iced coffee, ice cream cones and hot dogs, and it is housed in the historic Aguila Depot, which was moved to the park in the late 1970s. The Family Circus Pavilion offers shade for a snack, and the lawns work well for picnics.

Does McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park have a Halloween event?

Yes. The park promotes Spook-Track-Ula on its home page as its seasonal Halloween event. Dates, times and ticket details change each year and are not listed in the park's general ride schedule, so check therailroadpark.com or call (480) 312-2312 before planning your evening, and remember regular rides still cost $3 a ticket.

What steam locomotive is at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

Magma Arizona Railroad Engine No. 6 is on display. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in October 1907, the 2-6-0 hauled copper ore from Superior to Magma for 38 years and retired in January 1960. The Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society bought it in 1977.

Can school groups visit McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

Yes. School groups receive a 40% discount on ride tickets with an advance reservation. The free railroad museum, the Merci Car exhibit and the model railroad building make good learning stops for a class. Call (480) 312-2312 or email therailroadpark@scottsdaleaz.gov to book a date and confirm what is open that day.

What is the Giddy-Up, Daddy statue?

It is a 9 by 7 foot bronze in the Family Circus Pavilion honoring cartoonist Bil Keane, creator of The Family Circus, who lived nearby in Paradise Valley. Designed by his sons Jeff and Glen, it shows Bil giving his cartoon kids a horsey ride. It was funded entirely by private donations.

Who runs McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

The park is operated by the City of Scottsdale's Parks & Recreation Department. Railroad groups have long been part of it too: the Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society bought Engine No. 6 for the park in 1977. The park also offers memberships and email updates through its website.

How long should I spend at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

Plan on two to three hours to ride the train and carousel, see the model railroad building and the railroad museum, and let the kids play. Families with small children often stay longer with a picnic and a splash pad break. In summer, mornings are cooler.

What forms of payment does McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park accept?

The park accepts cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover at Stillman Station, where all ride tickets are sold. There is no charge to enter the park, the railroad museum or the model railroad building, so you only need to pay for rides and food.

What days is McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park closed?

The park is open 363 days a year, weather permitting, and closes only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve it closes early at 2 pm. The railroad museum has its own season and is closed June through September.

What other train museums are near McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park?

The Phoenix Trolley Museum is about 11 miles away, the Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler about 19 miles, and the Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad at Goldfield Ghost Town about 26 miles. The Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale is about 72 miles north for a full-day trip.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina
Next

Byesville Scenic Railway, Ohio