Golden Spike National Historical Park is a fantastic location to bring school field trips! We encourage schools to schedule trips early to ensure adequate staff is available at the site. The locomotives are available for viewing year-round but only operate from May 1st through Columbus Day. In the summer months we are able to accept larger groups (150 students) but programs (locomotive demonstrations, facilitated reenactments) will be outside.
Scheduling and Guidelines
A variety of opportunity’s are available to educational groups visiting the park. Please be aware that visitor center hours of operation change throughout the year. Groups visiting October through April should be less than 30 students due to limited indoor space. The visitor center is also closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, mid-October through mid-April. Educational groups are unable to be accommodated May 7th through May 12.
Please book educational group visits at least two weeks in advance.
Available Programs and Activities
Big Fill Loop Trail – (75 min.) This is a 1 ½ mile walking trail. The trail show cases construction techniques used in the building of the railroad. The hike can be self-guided or ranger-guided.
Ranger Programs – (30 min. each) The topic is dependent on staff on duty inquire when booking about program availability.
Steam Demonstration- (20 min., May –Sept) Golden Spike is home to two steam powered locomotives that run demonstations daily at 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 4:30 pm.
Engine House Tour- (45 min. Oct – April) During the winter months the locomotives undergo maintenance at the Engine House. Students get to see what it takes to maintain the locomotives to get them ready for the next running season. Occupancy Limit 30, including chaperones.
Re-enactment – (15 to 30 min) Students can re-enact the ceremony which was the driving of the Golden Spike May 10, 1869.
Re-enactment Script for 7-9th Graders
Re-enactment Script for 4-6th Graders
Movies The Golden Spike Movie (21 min) The building of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad became a race as the Central Pacific starting in Sacramento CA, and the Union Pacific, starting in Omaha, NE, overcame incredible obstacles as they race to complete one of the greatest works of American History.
School groups typically request the Steam Demonstration/Engine House Tour, Reenactment, a film, and finish with the Big Fill Loop Trail. To make reservations for a school field trip please click on the link below to download your application for fee waiver to help in the process of arranging your field trip.
Last updated: December 31, 2023