The Skunk Train & Rail Bikes — Attraction in Fort Bragg

Absolutely do not recommend. We reserved the VIP tickets so we could order lunch and not deal with taking a sandwich onboard the train. There was a note on the website that special requests can not be accommodated after 5 or 6 o'clock. Well, we did not have any special requests and ordered what was standard on the menu. The website allowed us to select from the menu and sent us a confirmation e-mail with our order details. Next day we arrived at the station and were told by the counter person that we will not get the lunch since we had placed our order after 6 o'clock. When I asked about the refund, he said that there are no refunds and it clearly states on the website. Well that is true, the website does say that; however, the website also allowed the order and sent a confirmation email. As a good-will gesture, the young man offered us a pen and a lunch box. I declined and stated that I will insist on a refund. He said again sorry, no refund and that it happens all the time and he wished the website was more clear. Needless to say that it ruined the whole experience which, was not much anyway. The train goes through some trees, stops at a small clearing/ meadow and comes back the same way. We saw nicer and larger trees on every turn-out on the Avenue of the Giants. Upon our return I called the customer service and again was told that there was no refund and the rep stated that she will talk to the manager and see if she can get us a coupon for another ride or store-credit for their on-line store. I declined and stated that this is a scam and I will not hesitate to file a class-action lawsuit on behalf of all the tourists that have fallen in the same trap. Minutes later a lady (allegedly the manager) came on and offered a full refund on my credit card for the two sandwiches and a salad ($89.59) and thanked me for taking the train ride with no apology for making me go through this ordeal. Folks, stay away from this scam. There is nothing to see on this ride, the singing conductor is a joke and expects to be tipped for his singing if you can call it that. The public should not be forced to fight to get their money back. I wonder how many foreign tourists walked away from this establishment...

We had an incredible experience railbiking along the Noyo River. This was a 20+ mile roundtrip adventure very well worth it! Our tour guides (Ember, Xochitl, and Eric) were top notch and made the whole journey entertaining, engaging, and fun for our whole extended family, ranging in ages from 10-67!

The scenery was beautiful, stopping along the way for fun facts, history, and a chance to hop off your bikes and immerse yourself into the environment around you. Particularly the lunch stop at Camp Noyo, with several activities continuing on during the 1.5 hour break. There were complimentary kayaks, canoes, and a roped off swimming hole (life vests included!), along with small hiking trails and Adirondack sitting areas, for us to enjoy at our leisure before the return trip back. The provided lunch was both filling and delicious, (loaded deli sandwiches, Kettle Chips, m&ms, water bottles, and Anderson Valley Brew Co Skunk Train Beer - a pleasant and adorable surprise in our packs, with sodas or juices for the kids).

The overall experience of riding the bikes was enjoyable as well. They have a very user-friendly pedal assist option, similar to an e-bike, giving the riders the options to pedal or ride, or a combination of both during the all-day excursion. Fitness levels of any type could enjoy this ride with ease, though I will say that the hike down to the bikes and back is a bit lengthy and steep. Thankfully the walk back upon return is at your leisure and you’re welcome to take the time you need to get back up to the parking lot to leave. (I would also note that this particular trip, and it sounds like others as well, may run after the 3:00 projected return time. Our day on the bikes was from 9:15-4:15, and I would recommend holding off on making evening reservations anywhere until after 5:00, in the case that your trip runs longer too).

While we were hesitant if the experience would be “worth it,” we were pleasantly surprised and would recommend this adventure for any and all ages 5+. You can’t put a price tag on memories and this trip is no exception. We had a fantastic experience and memories that will last us forever. This is truly a wonderful gem in the heart...

Very disappointed. We chose the nite train ride with booze and music. We asked if it was handicap accessible since my wife had a broken foot and had a wheel chair. They assured us that the only concern we would have is if the wheel chair was too wide to get on the train since it was 100 years old. She also said we probably won’t be able to go on the trail with wheel chair.

Everything seemed fine until we got to site where tunnel collapsed and my wife had to use a bathroom. It was an old train car with no ramp to get into it. We also had to get over a 3” railroad tracks. We struggled to get over these as she had to get off the wheel chair and hobble across. Then we got to stairs she had to hope up the stairs while having to pee badly by this point. I had to Carry her chair up the stairs. She went to bathroom. While I was waiting for her a guy came over and asked if we wanted help to get down. I said yes please. He then ran around to find two young girls (amazing girls) and said they would move this platform and lower her. They removed the staircase and then the girls and myself had to move the platform to the deck. While the guy had run up the stairs to use bathroom and did not even help. (During this process everyone else had to wait making it very uncomfortable for everyone) I had to hold the side corner so it would not tip over on my wife since it was uneven and one corner did not even touch the ground. My wife was praying she would not have to go through this process a 2 nd time. But unfortunately she had to go again. It was just before the 2nd train came. We had to struggle over the train tracks 4 total times. Each time I also had to help move the platform two times because we had to put the staircase back up so the other people could also use the bathroom. Then we had to rush to the train. We had planned to stay for the night and leave on the last ride back and enjoy the fire pits and roasting marshmallows. It was very disappointing. We would not have paid the 150 for us and our dogs if we had known we could not even...