On the lookout for the easiest way to take a day journey to Golden Spike Nationwide Historic Park?
Should you love nationwide parks, railroads, or American historical past, a go to to Golden Spike Nationwide Historic Park deserves a spot in your Utah street journey itinerary.
This fascinating web site marks the completion of the primary transcontinental railroad, a second that endlessly modified the course of U.S. historical past.
It’s the place the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads met in 1869, symbolically becoming a member of the nation from coast to coast with a ceremonial “Golden Spike.”
Visiting Golden Spike right this moment gives a mix of historical past, engineering marvels, and sweeping desert views.
You’ll discover historic locomotives, ranger-led applications, scenic drives, and strolling trails that spotlight each the triumph and toil that went into connecting America.
Golden Spike Nationwide Historic Park Itinerary
Situated about an hour and a half north of Salt Lake Metropolis, this distant vacation spot feels worlds away from the busy metropolis life.
When JP and I visited Golden Spike, it was one of many many memorable stops on our honeymoon street journey via the 4 Corners states.
The day earlier than our go to, we had camped on the Provo KOA, and that morning, we made our means north, driving via downtown Salt Lake Metropolis to get a really feel for the world.
We took a fast stroll round Temple Sq., handed by BYU, and even made a nostalgic cease at East Excessive College, the place Excessive College Musical was filmed.
Earlier than your go to, remember that there’s no Wi-Fi within the park, and cell service may be spotty.
It’s greatest to obtain maps, instructions, and any data you want earlier than heading out.
The park’s Customer Heart is usually open from 9 a.m. to five p.m. (with shorter winter hours), besides on main holidays.
You’ll be able to all the time test present hours on the official Nationwide Park Service web site.
Because the park is distant, it’s a good suggestion to reach early, deliver loads of water, and plan your day across the locomotive demonstrations or excursions relying on the season.
Morning: Customer Heart & Golden Spike Website
Begin your go to on the Customer Heart, the place you’ll be able to watch a brief movie concerning the Transcontinental Railroad and be taught concerning the ceremony that came about right here in 1869.
That is additionally the place you’ll be able to choose up your Nationwide Park Passport stamp or browse souvenirs.
JP and I like to gather ornaments from every vacation spot we go to, and we all the time make it a precedence to search out them early within the day, earlier than one of the best ones disappear!
From the Customer Heart, comply with the paved path to the Golden Spike web site.
Out of doors displays, monuments, and memorials additionally encompass the world.
Should you’re visiting within the hotter months, don’t miss the Locomotive Ranger Program.
- Round 10:00 a.m., one of many duplicate steam locomotives is introduced out onto the tracks.
- At 10:30 a.m., the second engine joins it.
- At 1:00 p.m., you’ll be able to watch an illustration with each locomotives collectively, full with steam, whistles, and photograph ops!
- One engine departs at 4:00 p.m., and the opposite round 4:30 p.m.
These demonstrations are one of many park’s highlights and actually deliver the positioning to life, giving guests a tangible connection to historical past.
Afternoon: Trails & Excursions
Within the winter months, the locomotives are saved within the Engine Home for refurbishment.
As an alternative of the out of doors demonstrations, guests can take Engine Home Excursions to see the locomotives up shut and study their restoration course of.
Tour instances range by season, so test the official web site earlier than your go to for probably the most present schedule.
Should you’re exploring by automotive, the park gives two scenic driving excursions:
- East Auto Tour (2 miles): This route follows the unique railroad grade and gives interpretive stops that inform the story of how the tracks had been constructed. It’s not plowed within the winter, nevertheless it usually stays accessible relying on climate situations.
- West Auto Tour (10 miles): Open principally through the summer time, this longer route contains unimaginable views and interpretive indicators alongside the unique rail line.
You may also obtain free audio excursions from the park web site to take heed to whilst you drive.
These narrations enable you perceive what you’re seeing and supply historic context to the surroundings round you.
For many who favor to stretch their legs, the Large Fill Loop Path is a should.
This 1.5-mile round-trip climbing path follows the unique railroad grade and contains interpretive panels explaining how large fills and cuts had been created by hand.
It’s probably the greatest methods to immerse your self within the park’s historical past and benefit from the surrounding panorama.
Whereas exploring the park’s backroads, don’t miss a fast cease on the Chinese language Arch, a pure sandstone formation named to honor the Chinese language railroad staff who performed a vital function in finishing the Transcontinental Railroad.
It’s positioned alongside the scenic drive and is properly value a go to for each the view and the which means behind it.
The place To Keep: Brigham Metropolis KOA
Should you’re searching for a handy and inexpensive place to remain close to Golden Spike Nationwide Historic Park, the Brigham Metropolis KOA is a good possibility.
Situated about 45 minutes south of the park, proper in your route again towards Salt Lake Metropolis, it gives a peaceable, rural setting that’s good for unwinding after a day of exploring.
The campground has RV websites, tent websites, and comfy cabins, together with facilities like restrooms, showers, laundry services, and a small camp retailer.
Once we visited, a storm rolled via through the evening, so we ended up sleeping in our automotive as an alternative of our tent, however even with the rain, we appreciated the quiet environment and handy location.
It’s a wonderful budget-friendly alternative for vacationers searching for a cushty and scenic stopover close to Brigham Metropolis.
Conclusion: Golden Spike Nationwide Historic Park Itinerary
Visiting Golden Spike Nationwide Historic Park is a captivating step again in time and a must-visit for anybody serious about American historical past, railroads, or off-the-beaten-path nationwide park websites.
Should you’re planning a Utah street journey, there are such a lot of different unimaginable locations close by so as to add to your itinerary.
For extra inspiration, take a look at my detailed put up on Dinosaur Nationwide Monument, or discover my Nationwide Parks Out West Highway Journey Itinerary that highlights among the state’s most iconic landscapes.
I even have particular person guides for every of Utah’s “Mighty 5” Nationwide Parks, Arches and Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, and Zion (together with Summer season and Winter particular itineraries) plus a full put up on driving the breathtaking Scenic Byway 12 that connects a number of of them.
Collectively, these routes and parks showcase the unimaginable selection and wonder that make Utah such a dream vacation spot for vacationers.
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