All parks › Golden Spike National Historical Park
Golden Spike National Historical Park: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle entrance
- $20[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- May[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 53,696[3]
- Visitor centers
- 1[4]
Golden Spike National Historical Park is a National Park System unit in Utah[5]. NPS lists a $20 entrance fee for a private vehicle, and fees are cashless[1][6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Private Vehicle[1] | $20 |
| Motorcycle[7] | $15 |
| Per Person[8] | $10 |
| Annual Entrance - Park[9] | $35 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[10].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[6].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[11] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[11] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[11] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[11] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[11] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[11] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[11] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[11] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[11] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS describes the park as a high desert setting in the Promontory Mountains, close to the Great Salt Lake[12]. Summer temperatures can pass 100 degrees and winter can dip into single digits with snow on much of the park[12]. In summer, from early May to late October, NPS lists the visitor center as open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MDT[13]. In winter, from late October to late April, it is open Thursday to Monday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST[13]. In 2025 the busiest month was May with 8,844 recreation visits, and the quietest was January with 1,198[2]. Check the forecast before you come and pack for changing weather[12].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 1,198 |
| February | 1,234 |
| March | 3,551 |
| April | 4,664 |
| May | 8,844 |
| June | 7,618 |
| July | 7,396 |
| August | 6,227 |
| September | 6,222 |
| October | 1,432 |
| November | 2,018 |
| December | 3,292 |
Pets and dogs
The national NPS pet rule says that where pets are allowed, they have to be kept in a crate or cage or on a leash of six feet or less[14]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, though service animals are excepted, and a park can close more areas to pets[14]. NPS lists pets as permitted on 5 of the 7 things to do, including the Big Fill Loop Trail and both auto tours[15].
Before you go
- Entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment[6].
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[10]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[11].
- NPS also lists a Golden Spike Annual Pass at $35[9].
- NPS lists 1 of the 7 things to do as needing a reservation[15].
- Fees and hours can change, so confirm on the official NPS park page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- How much does it cost to enter Golden Spike National Historical Park?
- NPS lists $20 for a private vehicle, $15 for a motorcycle and $10 per person for visitors without a car[1][7][8]. Youth 15 and under are listed as free on the per person fee[8].
- Does Golden Spike accept cash?
- NPS says entrance fees are cashless, so plan on a card or mobile payment[6].
- When is the visitor center open?
- NPS lists daily hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from early May to late October[13]. From late October to late April it is listed as open Thursday to Monday[13].
- What was the busiest month at Golden Spike?
- In 2025 the busiest month was May with 8,844 recreation visits[2].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $20. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 52,910, 2022: 49,042, 2023: 53,015, 2024: 55,285, 2025: 53,696. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Summer and Winter Seasons). National Park Service
- Golden Spike National Historical Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Historical Park) in Utah. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Golden Spike National Historical Park are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $15. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $10. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $35. National Park Service
- Golden Spike National Historical Park accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Golden Spike National Historical Park. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Summer and Winter Hours: Summer and Winter The Park Visitor Center features exhibits, a theater, bookstore, picnic areas, and a welcoming staff that will help visitors get the most out of their trip. Summer, from early-May to late-October... National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 7 things to do at Golden Spike National Historical Park: Hike the Big Fill Loop Trail, Western National Parks Store, Engine Hour Tours (winter), Locomotive Ranger Program, East Auto Tour, West Auto Tour, Jr Ranger Program. Pets permitted on 5 of... National Park Service