Golden Spike National Historic Site witnessed one of the most important accomplishments of the 19th century, what historian Stephen Ambrose called "Nothing else like it in all the world." On May 10, 1869, officials of the Union Pacific Railroad and Central Pacific Railroad met here to drive four symbolic spikes (two gold), celebrating the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. This event is reenacted every year on the same date. An annual Railroader's Festival is held the second Saturday in August, and a winter demonstration of steam powered engines and Film Festival are held during the last weekend in December. Working replicas of the 1869 steam locomotives Jupiter and 119 are in operation from May-October. Located 32 miles west of Brigham City on Hwys. 13 and 83, the visitor center is open year-round.

Golden Spike was designated as a national historic site in nonfederal ownership on April 2, 1957, and authorized for federal ownership and administration by an act of Congress on July 30, 1965.