Get Ready to Experience History: The Salt Lake Temple is Opening Its Doors!
It’s official—one of the most anticipated events in Salt Lake City’s calendar is coming your way. After more than 130 years of keeping its doors closed to the public, the iconic Salt Lake Temple is throwing them wide open for an unforgettable celebration. And yes, you’re invited.
The Big Picture: What You Need to Know
Starting April 5, 2027, and running through October 1, 2027, Salt Lake City will welcome between 3 to 5 million visitors eager to tour the magnificently renovated Salt Lake Temple. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day—think of it as hosting an entire general conference session every single day for six consecutive months. Talk about a monumental moment!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Salt Lake City officials are working hand-in-hand to prepare for what will undoubtedly be the largest temple open house the church has ever hosted. Planning at this scale? You better believe they’re taking it seriously.
What Happened Behind the Scenes?
In January 2020, the Temple closed its doors for a serious upgrade—we’re talking comprehensive seismic reinforcement and extensive renovations. After seven years of careful reconstruction work, this architectural gem will emerge completely renewed and ready to wow visitors. By the end of 2024, all the heavy lifting will be finished and ready for prime time.
How to Plan Your Visit
Getting Your Tickets
Mark your calendars: Late August or early September 2027, the church will launch a dedicated app where you can book your tour time slots. No scrambling, no chaos—just a simple digital booking system to get you in when it works best for your schedule.
Getting There (The Easy Way)
The church has made transportation a breeze:
- Free public transit access through a partnership with UTA, including TRAX, FrontRunner, and bus service directly to Temple Square
- Park-and-ride option: A brand-new, lighted, and secure parking lot at South Temple and Redwood Road with regular shuttle service running straight to Temple Square
- Special perk for employees: Church staff will receive complimentary UTA passes for the entire six months to keep downtown traffic flowing smoothly
What to Expect During Your Tour
Once you arrive, here’s how the experience unfolds:
The Route: Your tour begins at the Church’s Conference Center, located just north of Temple Square. From there, you’ll travel underground into the Temple itself—a seamless and immersive transition into the heart of the experience.
The Duration: Plan for 60 to 80 minutes inside the Temple as you explore the beautifully renovated interior. But here’s the thing: the full experience can easily stretch several hours because you’ll also have access to Temple Square itself, featuring stunning new statues and other church buildings worth your time.
The Guides: Special missionaries will be called to serve as docents throughout the open house period, ready to share stories, answer questions, and enhance your experience with insight and warmth.
A Sneak Peek Before the Crowds
Want first dibs? The church is inviting nearby residents and local businesses to tour the Temple in March 2027—a private preview before the general public arrives. This is your chance to experience the Temple in a more intimate setting.
Putting It in Perspective
To understand just how massive this event is, consider this: during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the city welcomed approximately 70,000 visitors per day, but only for 17 days total. The Salt Lake Temple open house will stretch that kind of daily attendance across six full months. It’s unprecedented territory.
Why This Matters
After 130+ years, the public gets a rare opportunity to step inside one of the most significant buildings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Combined with the Temple’s stunning seismic upgrades and extensive renovations, you’ll be witnessing not just history—you’ll be experiencing a fully modernized version of a beloved landmark.
Start Planning Now
With millions of people expected to make the pilgrimage to Salt Lake City, you’ll want to book your tour as soon as that app launches. Whether you’re a longtime Salt Lake resident, a curious history buff, or someone interested in religious architecture, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Mark your calendar. Prepare your family. And get ready to be part of something truly special. The Salt Lake Temple awaits.
Check back for updates as we approach 2027, and keep an eye out for the tour booking app launching in late summer 2027.