Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail

The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park is one of Utah’s most unique state parks. It is nearly 30 miles long. The trail traverses areas rich in cultural history from the Wasatch Mountains near Park City, across wetland meadows in Silver Creek Canyon, through the towns of Wanship and Coalville and along the Weber River to Echo Reservoir. Whether biking, hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing or walking, the park visitor enjoys the sights and sounds along the historic rail trail.

History

Utah’s first rail trail began when the Coalville-Echo Railroad Company was being organized to transport coal five miles from the Coalville mines to the Union Pacific line at Echo. Due to a shortage of railroad tracks, plans were abandoned. The increasing demand for coal prompted citizens to reorganize in 1871 as the Summit County Railroad Company. By 1873, coal was moving from Coalville to the Wasatch Front on a narrow-gauge track.

Meanwhile, silver was discovered in the Park City mountains. Coal was needed to fuel the pumps that removed water from underground mines. Utah Eastern Railroad was organized in 1879 to build a narrow-gauge line between Coalville and Park City. Union Pacific Railroad began constructing a broad-gauge spur line, Echo-Park City Railway. Both lines were completed in 1880.

In 1989, Union Pacific abandoned the railroad line. The railroad, along with the Division of Parks and Recreation and A&K Railroad Materials, launched plans to turn the abandoned railroad corridor into a non-motorized recreational trail. The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park was dedicated in 1992. It is the first non-motorized rail trail in Utah.

Opened to the public as a state park in 1992.
Park Elevation – 6,900 to 5,280 feet