The best camping near Golden Spike National Historic Site

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Golden Spike National Historic Site adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Golden Spike National Historic Site

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Rasmussen Ridge

12 sites · RVs1 acre · Mantua, UT

Located in Mantua, UT, a small mountain valley in Cache National Forest on the Wasatchback of the Rocky Mountains of Utah. A ten minute walk to Mantua Reservoir for ice fishing in the winter, kayaking, boating, water skiing, fishing in Spring, Summer, & Fall. Pickleball courts and Sydney's Grill are a 10 minute walk away. Mountain biking, four wheeling, side-by-side adventure right outside your RV door to Willard Peak and the beautiful Northern Wasatchback. Use of my huge lawn (next to the field where you park) for lawn games (provided for a small fee), and my in-ground fire pit are available for your enjoyment. Friendly dogs are very welcome - my white Lab is always looking for new friends! 3 miles down Box Elder Canyon to two large grocery stores, Walmart, gas stations, restaurants, and gyms. One hour to skiing at Snow Basin (home of 2002 Olympic downhill), Powder Mountain to the south and Beaver Mountain to the north. World's largest game bird refuge and museum 10 minutes west down the canyon. Utah State University 30 minutes to the north and Weber State University 30 minutes to the south. Box Elder Creek is a 5 minute walk into Box Elder Campground, the poppy hill (2 weeks in June), and wonderful hiking opportunities. The valley was settled by Danish immigrants in 1862, and the property you will be on is owned by a descendent of the original settlers. See more info about Mantua in the link below.

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Mountain Top Getaways

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Preston, ID

My Grandfather owned this property for many years. He dry farmed this land and raised nine children to be hardworking. I visited this property many times to work along side my father and grandfather. I remember horseback riding and building a shed for my grandfathers combine. I recently purchased this property from my grandparents and got to work building my tiny home that my new family lives in. Learn more about this land: **New hammock posts on site #4** These campsites are at the mouth of Cub River Canyon. The views are expansive and beautiful. National forest is only a few minute drive away along with a handful of reservoirs and river access. Come enjoy the views. These are primitive campsites with no potable water. There are antique farm implements visible on the property.

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Secret Canyon Ranch

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Malad City, ID

Meadow Springs campground lies at the foot of the Elkhorn hills, on St. John’s bench in SE Idaho. Surrounded by open fields and accessible only by dirt road, this unique spot is located next to two small natural ponds, and as such, is a terrific spot for bird watching and golden sunsets. It is the site of an old homestead, and the surrounding land is still actively farmed, so you can look out over open fields of this year’s crop as you enjoy dinner and quiet evenings in the fresh air.Whether you come as a single family for an adventurous night outdoors, or as a group with one to several tents or RV’s, this site has room to accommodate and is far enough away to be remote, (no neighbors!) while still close enough to town and other attractions to be convenient.--10 minutes from downtown Malad (Picture a small Idaho town with no stoplight still, but easy-to-find grocery, drive-in, pizza place, hospital, bar, etc)--15 mins from Devils Creek Reservoir and Malad Summit trails--20 minutes from Downata Hot Springs--30 minutes from Lava Hot Springs--3 hours from Yellowstone and Jackson HoleLearn more about this land:Come escape and recharge in a private campground under the shade of giant poplars alive with birdsong and a sky full of stars you can actually see. Located on the ancestral lands of the Shoshone-Bannock people, this campsite is nestled under a grove of poplars planted by the original homesteaders over 100 years ago. It features a Tipi, a newly built outhouse, two swings, a picnic table, fire-ring, cast-iron hand pump to access well water, plenty of flat ground for tents, RV's, and car parking, and most importantly, wide-open space in every direction. If you are looking for somewhere completely opposite of hectic city living, this is it.

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Steep Mountain Farm

2 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Wellsville, UT

Steep Mountain Farm is a community centered, ecological, regenerative agriculture project located on the indigenous lands of the northwestern band of the Shoshone people. Our primary mission is to build healthy soils, increase biodiversity, conserve resources and build community while producing nutrient dense food, promoting education and experiences. We raise fruits, vegetables and animals on the 16 acre property as part of our sustaining adventure. There are many outdoor recreation opportunities locally. We hope visitors appreciate and enjoy the surroundings while supporting our mission.

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Secluded Mountain Tent Site

2 sites · Tents1 acre · Morgan, UT

Learn more about our tent sites in beautiful Mt. Green: This tent site is right in a little scrub oak forest, nestled in the foothills below Snowbasin. Beautiful views of Morgan Valley, Snowbasin Ski resort, it is a gateway to all your outdoor adventures. We are semi-rural, so expect wild turkeys randomly visiting, along with our neighbor's chickens, and a rooster crowing. Maybe even a deer or moose, if you're lucky. A starry sky, because we don't have much light pollution! The sites are tucked behind a hill, perfect for privacy, and is surrounded by scrub oak trees. Campers are welcome to use the fire pit area chairs and our portable propane fire place (when there is not a fire danger in place). There are some plug in bistro lights for a cozy camping ambiance and a power strip to charge any electronics. There is drinkable water at the faucet by our front porch. Cooking with a propane camp stove is ok. There is an enclosed compost toilet, power strip for charging needs, and a picnic table at the first tent site. Dogs are negotiable, just ask ahead of time. The sites are a short walk down from the top of the driveway. Sites are not wheelchair accessible. Our site only fits one four person tent. Our location in Mt. Green is a great central location to some of these spots: 10 minutes from Snowbasin Ski Resort: Skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, mountain biking, and a great brunch at the lodge. 15 minutes from Morgan: ATV rentals, horseback riding, river tubing, BBQ, coffee, and Debs Spicy Pie. 15 minutes from Ogden: Historic 25th Street, great bars, farmer's markets every Saturday, movie theater, excellent restaurants, and amazing rock climbing. 40 minutes from Salt Lake City: amazing bars, great food, lots of activities. 20 minutes from Boating or swimming at Pineview in Eden, or in East Canyon in Morgan. We have all sorts of activities that we can recommend. Please reach out, we'd be happy to share some of our favorite places!

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Secluded Maple Creek River bottoms

4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Franklin, ID

This property was used by the Shoshone Indian tribe as a summer camp area. Later after the pioneers came they set up a dance floor and had parties here. The dance floor has since overgrown. This property has also been the host to never dams. It has been in our family for many years and we have enjoyed it.Learn more about this land:The campsites are located in a wooded area so lots of shade. 2 sites are creek side along maple creek and the other has a small stream and a pond. All sites have a fire pit available. All sites are carry in carry out. Easily accessible with a four wheel drive. You will need to cross maple creek to reach site 1. The road down to the river bottoms is a bit steep so 4 wheel drive is recommended. This area is ideal for tent camping.

The best camping near Golden Spike National Historic Site guide

Overview

About

Where can you relive one of the most important moments in American history? Hint: it's in not in Washington D.C.—it's in the middle of the Utah desert. Here, two steam locomotives met in 1869 to complete the first transcontinental railroad. At Golden Spike, you can stand in the exact spot that changed the country's future.

The history is palpable as two replica steam engines ride the rails. Afterward, be transported to the 1800s as volunteers reenact the Last Spike ceremony. Stand close to the front—you might even get to participate. If you're a fan of trains, the boiler wash is a must-see. Want to get up close and personal with the railroad? Walk the 1.5-mile Big Fill Loop along the Central Pacific and Union Pacific grades. You can even walk out onto the Big Fill, a ravine-spanning engineering marvel. Rangers lead guided hikes of the trail on summer weekends.

If you're visiting in the winter, there's still plenty to do. Drive the east or west railroad grade to see how the workers navigated the landscape. Look for the spot where workers laid 10 miles of track in one day. When the weather is rough, head to the Engine House to see the locomotives.

Golden Spike is remote—find great camping options in Wellsville or Willard Bay State Park.