McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Rating
Family of 4
Park entry, playgrounds, splash pad, railroad museums, model trains, and nature trail are free.
Duration
About 2-4 hours for rides, playgrounds, model trains, and seasonal water play. This is a planning estimate; the park does not publish a standard visit length.
Best Ages
Best for ages 2 to 10, with model trains and railroad history adding interest for older children and teens.
About
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park combines a city park, small amusement rides, railroad history, playgrounds, and water play across 30 acres. Entry is free, and families can build a full visit around the no-cost attractions. These include two outdoor play areas, the seasonal splash pad, the Model Railroad Building, the Scottsdale Railroad Museum when open, and the desert arboretum and nature trail.
The Paradise & Pacific Railroad is the centerpiece. It is a working miniature railroad modeled after a Colorado narrow-gauge line. The restored 1950 Charros Carousel adds a second classic ride.
Both cost one $3 ticket per rider, and children 2 and younger ride free with a paying adult. Weekday rides run every half-hour, while weekend rides run continuously. Families planning several rides can compare an eight-ticket pack for $20 with the $12 all-day wristband.
Young children have plenty to do between rides. The main playground separates equipment into areas for ages 2 to 5 and 5-12, with swings, slides, climbing structures, and spinning toys. The Western Town offers another place for pretend play. From March 1 through October 31, the free 5,000-square-foot splash pad adds buckets, sprays, tipping water, and room to run.
The free Model Railroad Building is an important indoor break. Its detailed layouts have touch points that make parts of the scenes move. Built-in ramps let small children and wheelchair users see the displays without steps or lifts. The separate historical railroad museum usually operates from October through May and closes during summer, so check seasonal schedules.
This is not a dependable rainy-day plan because attractions operate weather permitting and much of the park is outdoors. In hot weather, arrive around 9am, carry water, and use sun protection. Hartley's General Store sells corn dogs, ice cream, and iced coffee.
Restrooms and picnic areas appear on the official park map. Allow two to four hours, depending on rides, playground time, and whether children use the splash pad.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Nursing / Changing
Unknown
Kid Meals
Limited
Setting
Indoor & Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Arrive around the 9am opening, especially in warm months. The splash pad operates March 1-October 31. Check weather and attraction status before leaving because operations are weather permitting.
Wait Times
Actual queues are not published. On weekdays, the train and carousel run every half-hour, so missing a departure may mean waiting for the next cycle. Weekend rides run continuously.
Nearby Food
Hartley's General Store sells simple items such as corn dogs, ice cream, and iced coffee. Special events may add food trucks or Boxcar Bites. The park map also identifies picnic tables and ramadas, but families should check current picnic and concession details before arriving.
Why Kids Love It
Children can ride a miniature railroad and vintage carousel, watch detailed model trains move, trigger model-layout actions, climb and spin in age-zoned playgrounds, explore a Western Town, and splash under tipping water features.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Check the weather before leaving. The park and rides operate weather permitting.
- The main playground has separate zones for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, which helps siblings find equipment that fits.
- The splash pad operates from March 1 through October 31. Bring swim clothes, towels, and dry clothes during that season.
- The historical railroad museum closes for summer from June through September, but the free model railroad building follows the main attraction schedule.
What to Bring
- Water bottles
- Hats and sunscreen
- Swimsuits, towels, and dry clothes during splash-pad season
- Payment method for rides and concessions
- Comfortable walking shoes
Cost Info
Partially free — some areas or times are free
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
Park entry, playgrounds, splash pad, railroad museums, model trains, and nature trail are free.
If all four family members are older than 2, an eight-ticket pack for $20 covers one train ride and one carousel ride per person.
Four all-day wristbands cost $48.
Children 2 and younger ride free with a paying adult.
Tips to Save
- Start with the free playgrounds, splash pad, model railroad building, museum, and nature trail.
- An eight-ticket pack costs $20 instead of $24 for eight single tickets.
- Choose the $12 all-day wristband only if each paying rider will use more than four attraction tickets.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Daily attraction hours
- January-February 9am-5pm; March-August 9am-7pm; September-December 9am-5pm. Weather permitting. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; closes at 2pm on Christmas Eve.
- Scottsdale Railroad Museum
- October-May 10am-4pm; closed June-September, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; closes at 2pm on Christmas Eve.
