Transcontinental Railroad National Backcountry Byway

Getting Oriented

The Transcontinental Railroad National Backcountry Byway is a 90-mile gravel road across the Great Salt Lake Desert and the western edge of Utah, between Promontory Summit (where Golden Spike National Historic Site sits) and the Nevada border at Lucin. The byway follows the original Central Pacific railroad grade completed in 1869, the western half of the first transcontinental railroad. BLM cites this as the longest continuous stretch of original transcontinental railroad grade remaining anywhere in the United States.

The grade itself was bypassed in 1904 when Southern Pacific built a shortcut across the Great Salt Lake (the Lucin Cutoff), abandoning Promontory and the long northern detour. The railroad infrastructure that remained, including sidings, station foundations, trestles, culverts, and the small towns that depended on them, has been left largely intact by the desert.

Trail Overview

The byway is gravel for its full length, with maintained but rough surface conditions. The route is suitable for high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions. Wet weather can render sections impassable.

The byway includes more than 20 interpretive sites along the grade, marking each station, siding, and ghost town. BLM offers a free audio tour through the Travelstorys app that adds historical narration at each interpretive stop; download the tour before driving as cell coverage is minimal.

A typical drive takes six to eight hours with stops. Many travelers stretch the route over two days.

Points of Interest

• Golden Spike National Historic Site (eastern terminus). Site of the May 10, 1869 ceremony where Central Pacific and Union Pacific rail crews met to complete the first transcontinental railroad. Operated by the National Park Service; full visitor center and reconstructed locomotives.
• Kelton. One of the larger railroad towns along the grade; foundations and cemetery remain.
• Locomotive Springs Wildlife Management Area. Wetland complex managed by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, accessible from the byway.
• Lucin (western terminus). Last remnant of the railroad town that once supported the western end. Foundations, the cemetery, and a small spring complex remain.
• Trestle and culvert structures. Several preserved engineering features along the grade.

Where to Camp

There are no developed campgrounds on the byway. Dispersed camping is permitted on BLM land along the route, subject to standard Leave No Trace practices. Plan campsites with adequate distance from the historic grade and any structures.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

• Download the Travelstorys audio tour before you go. Cell coverage is minimal along the route. The free tour provides interpretive narration synced to GPS waypoints.
• Carry spare tires. Flat tires are common on the gravel surface. Most travelers carry at least one spare and basic tools to change one.
• Plan a full day or two days. 90 miles of gravel with frequent interpretive stops is slower than it looks.
• Carry water and supplies. No services on the byway. Closest gas and water are in Brigham City, Tremonton, Corinne, or Snowville (east) and Wendover or Montello (west).
• Respect historic resources. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 prohibits moving, removing, or damaging artifacts. Do not metal detect or relocate stones.