Family Fun at Golden Spike National Park
Are you a fan of trains or have a fan in your family? Then a trip to Golden Spike National Park is a must! Located just 1.5 hours northwest of Salt Lake City, it’s an easy trip to make in one day. The park includes driving and hiking tours, reenactments, engine house tours and other activities. You can visit the historic site and see the trains in action, not just in a museum!
About Golden Spike National Park
On May 10, 1896 a huge crowd gathered at Promontory Summit, Utah to watch the last four spikes get driven into place, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. This event made Utah known as “The Crossroads of the West.” Like most national parks, there is a $20 private vehicle fee which gives you access to the park, the museum, and many of the activities. If your family loves history and you have some extra time, purchase a self guided driving tour map at the gift shop and drive along the outlined route.
Reenactments
Every Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend you can watch reenactments of this pivotal moment in history. Not only are the Rangers dressed up for pounding in the last spike, but audience members can participate too! While there are two shows a day, I recommend attending the 10 a.m. ceremony. The park is really in the middle of nowhere, so it can get quite hot in the afternoon making the 10 a.m. experience much more pleasant than the 1 p.m. It’s definitely worth seeing whichever time slot works best for your schedule.
Plan Ahead
Golden Spike National Park is open all year round and the activities vary according to season, so check the website to see which events most interest you. Keep in mind the closest town, Corinne, Utah, (which has it’s own train history) is 27 miles away, so you need to plan ahead. Bring LOTS of water. There are restrooms available and basic water services, but if you go on a warm day you’ll be glad that you brought your own drinks. Also, sunscreen, hats, or any kind of sunshade will make your day much better. Even in colder months you’ll want some sun protection since there’s not a lot of shade in these high desert mountains. Weather conditions vary and can change suddenly, check the website or better yet, call 435-471-2209, to get latest on road conditions/closures and any affected venues.
Union Station in Ogden, Utah
While your planning your trip to Golden Spike National Park, check out Union Station’s website for other venues to round out your railroad experience! Ogden is about an hour from the park on your way back to the Salt Lake City area and right off I-15, making it an easy stop for your afternoon or evening activity. Ogden has several museums and historical sites, so if trains are not your thing (but you go for someone you love) there are other fun things to see. They have great historical museums for cars, guns, and trains, as well as art and cultural events. There are also a variety of places to eat, so you’ll be able to grab lunch or dinner before heading off to your next adventure.
Golden Spike National State Park
While Utah has many National Parks (and each one worth the trip), Golden Spike National State Park is within easy distance making a fun day trip that doesn’t need a lot of planning or expense. It’s also a great experience for train lovers!
When was the last time you got a family photo taken? Does it belong in a museum? Melissa Woodruff Photography can help you update your photo album and preserve great family memories. We can also recommend fun activities to do after your portrait session.
