Golden Spike photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Golden Spike is a U.S. National Historic Site located at Promontory Summit, north of the Great Salt Lake that  encompasses 2,735 acres.  It commemorates the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad where the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad met on May 10, 1869. The final joining of the rails spanning the continent was signified by the driving of the ceremonial Golden Spike.  The park is a fee area and a 7 day pass in the summer is $7 while it costs $5 in the winter.  The park opens at 9:00am daily.

Birding:
Golden Spike mostly gets birders passing through to other nearby sites.  The species list of over 100 is a little confusing given the range of habitat in the site.  I would guess some of the additional waterbirds that have been reported weren't actually from within the park limits--possibly from nearby Blue Creek which has recently been added as a hot spot. There does appear to be some water along the west grade though, so this might be where some of the water birds are being reported.  There are several tour routes one can drive through the area which consists mostly of shrubsteppe, grasslands, farms, and some rocky out croppings.  In general this is the extent of the habitat here.  My birding exploits here have only taken me to the area around the visitor center, the Big Fill, and the East Grade Auto Tour Loop--so I can't lend a ton of info.  Three specialty game birds are located in the park limits though with SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, GRAY PARTRIDGE, and CHUKAR all possible.  A Sharp-tailed Grouse lek location was recently shared about a mile southwest of the visitor center on the north side of the road and can be scoped from the road here.  Other birds typical of the area year round include NORTHERN HARRIER, GOLDEN EAGLE, HORNED LARK, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK.  In the summer SAGE THRASHER, BREWER'S and LARK SPARROW, BURROWING OWL, and WESTERN KINGBIRD are a common sight.  SHORT-EARED and BARN OWL are found year round with a little luck as well.

Directions:
From I-15 exit 365 head west on UT-13 for 2.5 miles to Corinne.  Continue straight onto UT-83 for another 17.4 miles. Turn left following signs onto 7200 North for 2 miles.  Follow the slight right as the road turns into 18400 West/Golden Spike Drive for 4.6 miles. Turn left here and go south for 1.1 miles passing the welcome sign for the park to the Visitor's Center on your right.