How far is Golden Spike from Brigham City?

About 32 miles west, or roughly a 45-minute drive. Take SR-13 west out of Brigham City, then follow SR-83 to the park.

When do the steam locomotives run?

The Jupiter and No. 119 run daily from May through mid-October, except on boiler wash days. Check the park calendar for the daily schedule.

What is the best day to visit?

For the full experience, plan around May 10, the anniversary of the Last Spike, or the Winter Steam Festival in late December. For smaller crowds, visit on a summer weekday during steam season.

Is there an entrance fee?

Yes. Fees are paid at the visitor center by card only, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

Can I visit in winter?

Yes. The visitor center, Big Fill Loop and Engine House tours are available in winter, and the Winter Steam Festival runs in late December. The West Auto Tour is usually closed, and snow can close roads, so call ahead.

Yes, on a leash. Pets are not allowed inside the visitor center, and keep a close eye on them during locomotive demonstrations, since the noise and steam can startle animals.

Can I take an RV on the auto tours?

No. The auto tours are not approved for RVs or vehicles pulling trailers.

Plan your trip to
Box Elder

A Destination Full of the Unexpected

Land art on the shore of the Great Salt Lake. A railroad that finished a nation. Wetlands full of birdsong and mountains that barely make it onto a map. This is what naturally outside the box actually looks like.

Box Elder County doesn't have one big attraction — it has a dozen small ones, spread across wetlands, mountains, high desert, and lakeshore, each worth its own detour. Some are run by the National Park Service or U.S. Fish & Wildlife. Some are county landmarks. A couple barely show up in a guidebook at all. Together, they're the reason people who only meant to drive through Box Elder County end up staying an extra day.

Use the categories below to find your next stop, or scroll straight through — every landmark on this page is naturally outside the box.

Mantua Reservoir

"Manna-Way"

History & Learning

The Fruitway

Wildland
Bird Refuge

Golden Spike
National Historic Park

Willard Bay

Golden Spike National Historical Park

Where Two Railroads Met & Changed a Nation

On May 10, 1869, the final spike was driven into the ground at Promontory Summit, officially joining the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads. The completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad transformed months of grueling overland travel into a journey of just a few days, forever altering American history, commerce, and culture.

Today, Golden Spike National Historical Park invites visitors to step back in time and stand on the very ground where modern America was connected.

Managed by the National Park Service: Check official hours and fees.

Quick Facts

Known For

County Seat

Population

20,000

Signature Event

Peach Days

To Salt Lake

1 hr

To Golden Spike

45 min

To Bird Refuge

15 min

Box Elder Adventure Passport

Calling all explorers! Register for the free digital passport, check in at 18 stops across the county by scanning the QR code or tapping the link, and earn a prize entry at every stop.

Register for the Passport

Get the Free Guide

Things to do at Golden Spike

See the Steam Locomotives

May–mid-October · Daily demonstrations · Jupiter & No. 119

Replicas of the Central Pacific’s Jupiter and the Union Pacific’s No. 119 run on the original grade all summer. Watch them square off nose-to-nose each day, with rangers telling the story. Check the park calendar for boiler wash days, when the engines don’t run.

Stand at the Last Spike Site

Year-round · Short walk · Visitor center exhibits

A polished wooden railroad tie and a plaque mark the spot where the Central Pacific and Union Pacific were joined. Inside the visitor center, exhibits and films tell the story of the race to build the line and the thousands of workers behind it.

Drive the East Auto Tour

Year-round · 2-mile drive · Chinese Arch

A short drive along the old grade, with cuts, fills and culverts up close and views of the Wasatch Mountains. Look for Chinese Arch, a limestone arch named for the Chinese workers who built the Central Pacific line. Winter weather can close the road.

Drive the West Auto Tour

Early June–late November · 7-mile drive · "10 Miles in One Day"

This longer tour follows the Central Pacific grade to the “10 Miles of Track Laid in One Day” sign. It marks April 28, 1869, when crews laid 10 miles, 56 feet of track in one day. The road closes late November to early June.

Walk the Big Fill Loop

Year-round · 1.5-mile loop · Easy

Walk out on the original Central Pacific grade and back on the Union Pacific’s. Along the way you’ll pass the Big Fill, the abutments of the Big Trestle and rock cuts where drill marks still show in the stone. Allow 60 to 90 minutes.

Tour the Engine House

Mid-October–April · Select days · Behind-the-scenes tours

After steam season, both locomotives move into the Engine House for maintenance. Behind-the-scenes tours show what it takes to keep these Victorian-era engines running. Tours meet at the visitor center on select days; check the park website for times.

Golden Spike Events

May 10

Last Spike Anniversary

The park’s biggest day: a commemorative ceremony on the anniversary of the Last Spike. Expect crowds and arrive early.

Late Summer

Railroaders Festival

Frontier games, handcar rides, reenactments and locomotive runs. The date changes each year.

Late December

Winter Steam Festival

Cold air makes the steam billow. Cab tours, handcar rides and Junior Ranger activities over the holiday break.

Make a Day of It

Continue on to the Spiral Jetty

16 miles on gravel · No restrooms, water or cell service

While you’re out at Promontory, consider continuing on to Spiral Jetty. The road runs past the visitor center to Robert Smithson’s famous 1970 earthwork on the Great Salt Lake, and the two make a great pair: one marks where the country was connected by rail, the other is one of the most famous works of land art in the world.

If you add it on, plan for an extra 2 to 3 hours round trip, about 16 miles each way on gravel and dirt. Make sure to fill your tank, bring water and use the visitor center restrooms before you go, since there are no services or cell signal past the park.

Learn More About the Spiral Jetty

Stargaze Over Promontory

Summer · Dark skies · Ranger programs when available

Far from city lights, Golden Spike has clear, dark skies. Stargaze from the visitor center parking lot or along the trails, and check the calendar for summer astronomy programs.

Brigham City

About 45 minutes southeast

Fuel up on Main Street before or after your visit. Brigham City has the closest full services, plus historic downtown, local cafes and the Fruit Way just south of town.

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

About 1 hour southeast

Pair history with wildlife at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, one of the West’s best birding spots. Take the Forest Street exit off I-15 in Brigham City and head west to a 12-mile auto tour loop through marshes full of pelicans, avocets and, in season, thousands of migrating birds.

Before You Go

Fuel Up First

There’s no food, fuel or other services within 27 miles of the park. Fill your tank and pack water and snacks before you head out.

Entrance Fee

An entrance fee applies, and the park only takes cards, not cash. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

Weather

Promontory is open, exposed and often windy, with hot summers and cold winters. Shelter is limited, so dress for the season. In winter, call the park for road conditions before you go.

Cell Service

Coverage is limited in and around the park. Download maps and directions before you leave town.

Plan your trip to Box Elder