Get Ready for History: The Salt Lake Temple Opens Its Doors for the First Time in Over a Century

In one of the most anticipated events Salt Lake City has seen in decades, the newly renovated Salt Lake Temple is opening its doors to the public next year—and it’s going to be huge. We’re talking 3 to 5 million visitors over six months. Yes, you read that right.

When Can You Visit?

Mark your calendars: April 5 through October 1, 2027. After that, the Temple will return to being open only to church members with active temple recommends, so if you want to see inside this historic gem, next year is your chance.

The Scale of This Event is Staggering

To put the expected crowds in perspective, the 2002 Winter Olympics brought roughly 70,000 visitors per day to Salt Lake City—over 17 days. The Temple open house? That’s projecting 20,000 to 29,000 daily visitors every single day for six months straight. It’s essentially like hosting one of the Church’s biannual general conferences every single day for half a year.

And honestly? This is the biggest Temple open house the Church has ever attempted.

Why the Massive Renovation?

The Salt Lake Temple closed on January 1, 2020, for critical seismic upgrades and comprehensive renovations. The last time the public could walk through these doors? Over 130 years ago. So this isn’t just a casual refresh—this is a full reimagining of one of Salt Lake City’s most iconic buildings, and the work will be wrapped up by the end of this year.

How to Book Your Tour

Here’s the exciting part: in late August or early September 2027, the Church will launch a mobile app where you can reserve your tour time. No more wondering if you’ll get in—you’ll have a scheduled slot.

The actual tour of the Temple takes between 60 to 80 minutes, and special missionaries will be called to serve as docents and guide visitors through the experience. But here’s the bonus: once you’re inside the perimeter, you’ll have access to the entire Temple Square, including brand-new statues and other Church buildings. Plan on spending several hours if you want the full experience.

Getting There Won’t Be a Headache

The Church has worked with UTA to make transportation seamless. Ticket holders can use TRAX, FrontRunner, and local buses to get downtown. Plus, the Church is leasing a lighted, secure park-and-ride lot at South Temple and Redwood Road with regular shuttle service directly to Temple Square. And here’s a nice touch: Church employees will receive free UTA passes for the entire six-month period to help reduce downtown traffic congestion.

A Sneak Peek for Locals

Want first dibs? The Church is inviting nearby businesses and residents to tour the Temple in March 2027, before it opens to the general public. It’s a nice way to let the neighborhood experience it first.

The Route

Tours begin at the Church’s Conference Center just north of Temple Square and then wind underground into the Temple itself. It’s a thoughtfully designed experience that takes you on a journey through this magnificent building.

Why This Matters

For Latter-day Saints, this is a monumental moment. For Salt Lake City residents and visitors from around the world, it’s a rare opportunity to step inside a building that has been closed to the public for 130+ years. Whether you’re drawn by faith, history, architecture, or simple curiosity, 2027 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year.

The city and the Church are preparing for massive crowds, but they’re ready. So start planning now—this is one event you won’t want to miss.