Activities

 

A ranger gives a program in front of the Jupiter.

NPS Photo

Summer Season: Locomotive Ranger Programs

Golden Spike National Historical Park is home to the steam locomotives Jupiter and No. 119. These are replicas of the originals that met at Promontory Summit on May 10th, 1869 for the Last Spike Ceremony uniting the nation's first Transcontinental Railroad. They operate daily from May 1st through Columbus Day October 14th, except on boiler wash days.

Daily Locomotive Ranger Programs:
10:00 AM - Arrival of the Jupiter
10:30 AM - Arrival of the No. 119
1:00 PM - Demonstration run with both locomotives
4:00 PM - Departure of No. 119
4:30 PM - Departure of Jupiter

 

East Auto Tour: View through Chinese Arch on sunny winter day.

NPS Photo

Auto Tours

Golden Spike National Historical Park offers two opportunities to drive the Transcontinental railroad grade and see just what workers and train passengers alike experienced in the late 1860's. The East Auto Tour is two miles long and allows visitors to see examples of cuts, fills, and culverts as well sweeping views of the Wasatch mountains. The West Auto Tour is seven miles long and is home to the "10 Miles of Track, Laid in one Day" sign where the Central Pacific Railroad built 10 miles and 56 feet of track on April 28th, 1869. The West Tour is regularly closed from late November to late May and the East Tour is subject to winter closurer due to weather impacts.

Auto Tours are not approved for RV's or vehicles pulling a trailer.

The availability of the Auto Tours is subject to change without notice.

As of December, 2023 the West Auto Tour is closed for the winter season.

 

Big Fill Loop Trail

NPS Photo/L. Hugie

Year Round: Big Fill Loop Trail

The Big Fill Loop Trail is a one mile and a half round-trip walking trail. Visitors walk on original Central Pacific grade and return on the Union Pacific grade. The trail showcases the Central Pacific's Big Fill and the abutments that once supported the Union Pacific's Big Trestle. Walk through cuts, over fills, and see drill marks where workers blasted rock away. Keep in mind, all of this was accomplished by simple tools, sweat, and an amazing amount of endurance.

 

Jupiter in Engine House

NPS Photo

Winter Season: Engine House

From mid-October to late April the locomotives of Golden Spike National Historical Park are in the Engine House undergoing maintenance. For a behind the scenes look at what it takes to maintain and operate victorian locomotives utilizing 1860's steam technology, a visit to the Engine House is a must.

The Engine House is open Thursday - Monday from:

10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
3:00 PM to 3:30PM