Golden Spike Transcontinental Railroad Field Trip Tour
Description
This Golden Spike railroad field trip explores Utah’s important connection to the greatest engineering feat of the 19th century at Golden Spike National Historical Park. In addition to exploring the history of the Transcontinental Railroad, students will learn about the impacts of this project including how it changed the world. To make this “bandage” that healed the nation possible, construction methods were used that required precise design and engineering methods, which we’ll get to see first hand and even practice replicating.
This field trip consists of multiple stops within Golden Spike National Historical Park including a couple of short hikes to see fills and cuts as well as a natural arch. We’ll also see the historic last spike site at the visitor center and the replica steam locomotives (dependent on availability). At each stop, we give a brief presentation about the history of the railroad in Utah, the methods of construction, as well as the impact of the railroad. Each stop will also include an activity related to the field trip skills.
On this field trip, you will drive your group between each of our stops. We will provide instructions as we move on from each stop. At the end of the field trip, you are welcome to stay on the property and explore on your own. Please follow all Golden Spike National Historical Park rules and regulations including the posted speed limits.
Golden Spike Railroad Field Trip Details
Duration: 2-3 hours (when in the park)
Time: This field trip can be booked Monday through Saturday for either a morning or an afternoon tour. It is available year round, but limited in the winter. Best for April-November. Call or email to check availability and schedule your tour time. We recommend you book your field trip at least one month in advance, but we will try to accommodate all groups.
(Please note that due to the crowded nature of the May 10 anniversary reenactment, we will not schedule this tour for that day. However, the park often does reenactments from May through summer, depending on weather)
Group Size: up to 10 participants with no more than 3 parents or guardians (at least one parent or guardian is required for each group)
Price: $100 per group up to 6 participants (see recommended grade levels below), $10 per additional participant
(The park entrance fee may be included if you are booking as an official educational organization with plenty of advance notice. Otherwise, the park entrance fee is $20 per vehicle.)
Recommended Grade Levels: 3-6 (younger and older students are welcome to participate; all children six years old and above will be considered participants and have to pay the fee)
Skills: understanding history and its affects on society; basic concepts in engineering
Subjects:
- Social Studies
- Utah History
- U.S. History
- Science
- engineering
Assignments
We give assignments for students to complete before the field trip and after the field trip. These directly connect and apply to what we discuss and the activities for each stop. For this field trip, we focus on Utah and U.S. history and basic engineering.
In addition to the assigned worksheets and reading, we invite participants to do other readings to prepare for the tour or to support learning after the tour. A list of additional reading material suggestions can be found here.
Things to Remember
- Bring: water, sun protection, and completed pre-trip assignments
- Wear: good shoes for walking, appropriate clothing for being outdoors in the weather on the day of your field trip
- Share: Throughout the field trip, parents are welcome to take photos and videos to share on social media. As you share, please remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook and use the hashtags #AdventurePatches and #HomeschoolFieldTrip.