Serving as the hub of the Summit Scenic Byway Corridor, the rail trail has been operating as a non-motorized trail since 1992. The trail crosses an area rich in 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.
The Union Pacific, the first railroad to enter the Utah territory, began construction down Echo Canyon in 1868 as part of the transcontinental railroad. The building of the railroad provided work for settlers, some of which was negotiated by Brigham Young. The value of the railroad cannot be overstated. Cattle, sheep, and farm crops and goods could be brought to market more quickly and cheaply. Needed supplies were brought back on the trains’ reverse trips. The towns along the railroad routes prospered by serving the railroad and its employees. Communication and travel were made significantly easier.
But not all local industries were able to benefit by the introduction of the railroad. In Coalville and Grass Creek, where coal mining began in the 1860’s, coal from the mines was hauled fifty miles to Salt Lake City by team and wagon, which was costly and particularly difficult during winter months when coal was most needed.
When the Union Pacific Railroad was completed in May, 1869, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints authorities planned to build two smaller connecting railroads: a thirty-six mile railroad to Ogden, Utah and a six mile line connecting the Coalville mines to the Union Pacific which would result in easier and less costly shipping of coal from church-owned mines to Salt Lake City. The line to Coalville was quashed by the Union Pacific as it had its own arrangement with coal mines in Evanston, Wyoming and was reluctant to relinquish the resulting profits. In 1896, a narrow gauge railroad spur was built connecting Grass Creek with the Union Pacific railroad which at last provided improved shipping of coal from the Coalville and Grass Creek mines. Later, this line was purchased by the Union Pacific railroad.
In 1989, Union Pacific abandoned the rail line leaving a vital corridor connection unused. Local community leaders banded together and worked with the Division of Parks and Recreation to convert the abandoned line into a trail. The Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park was dedicated in 1992 and was inducted into the national Rails to Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame in 2010.