Get Ready for History: The Salt Lake Temple is Opening Its Doors

After more than 130 years of keeping its doors closed to the public, the Salt Lake Temple is about to welcome millions of curious visitors from around the globe. And let me tell you—this is going to be huge.

What’s Happening and When

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that the beautifully renovated Salt Lake Temple will open for public tours starting April 5, 2027, through October 1, 2027. That’s six months of non-stop touring opportunities right here in downtown Salt Lake City.

The numbers are staggering: church leaders are expecting between 3 to 5 million visitors, which breaks down to roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day. To put that in perspective, that’s equivalent to running one session of the church’s semi-annual general conference (which happens in April and October) every single day for half a year.

For context, even the 2002 Winter Olympics—one of the biggest events in Salt Lake City history—only drew about 70,000 visitors per day, and that was compressed into just 17 days.

The Temple’s Big Comeback

The Salt Lake Temple closed on January 1, 2020, for much-needed seismic upgrades and extensive renovations. Seven years later, the transformation will be complete, and the public will finally get to see what all the hard work has accomplished. It’s genuinely a momentous occasion for both the church and Salt Lake City.

How to Book Your Tour

Tickets won’t be available until late August or early September 2027, when the church launches a dedicated app for booking tour times. Smart planning on their part—this way, they can manage the flow of visitors and avoid total chaos.

Here’s what to expect from the tour itself:

The Route: Tours begin at the Church’s Conference Center (just north of Temple Square) and wind underground to the Temple itself.

Tour Duration: Plan for 60 to 80 minutes inside the Temple, plus additional time to explore Temple Square and its new statues, along with other church buildings nearby. Budget several hours for the full experience.

The Experience: The church is calling special missionaries to serve as docents and guide visitors through the building. Think of them as your friendly, knowledgeable tour guides who’ll help you understand the Temple’s history and significance.

Getting There (Without Losing Your Mind in Traffic)

The church and Salt Lake City are taking traffic seriously. Here’s how they’re handling the expected crush of visitors:

• Public Transit: UTA has partnered with the church to offer TRAX, FrontRunner, and bus access for ticket holders. Church employees will even receive free UTA passes for the entire six-month period to help reduce downtown congestion.
• Park and Ride: The church has leased property at South Temple and Redwood Road for a well-lit, secure parking lot with regular shuttle service directly to Temple Square.

This is actually brilliant planning—they’re clearly not taking any chances with gridlock.

Who Gets First Access?

Before the general public rushes in on April 5, nearby residents and local businesses get their own private tour opportunity in March 2027. It’s a nice touch that acknowledges the people who’ve lived with the Temple’s closure and construction over the past seven years.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just another tourist attraction opening up. The Salt Lake Temple is deeply significant to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and after more than a century of public exclusivity, opening it for this extended period is genuinely rare and special. The fact that millions of people are expected to come see it—from church members to curious locals to international visitors—speaks volumes about its cultural and historical importance.

After October 1, 2027, the Temple will return to being accessible only to church members with active temple recommends, making this six-month window a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the general public.

Mark Your Calendars

If you’re planning to visit, start thinking about logistics now. Download that app when it becomes available in late summer 2027, book your time slot early, and plan to spend a good chunk of the day experiencing the full Temple Square experience.

This is shaping up to be one of Salt Lake City’s biggest events in decades. Whether you’re a church member, a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or just curious about one of the most iconic buildings in Utah, the Salt Lake Temple open house is definitely worth adding to your bucket list.

See you on Temple Square in 2027!