Get Ready: The Salt Lake Temple is Opening Its Doors—and It’s Going to Be Epic
Hold onto your seats, Salt Lake City. After more than 130 years of being off-limits to the general public, the iconic Salt Lake Temple is throwing open its doors for an unforgettable celebration—and we’re talking millions of visitors.
What’s Happening?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just announced that the beautifully renovated Salt Lake Temple will welcome the public for tours from April 5 through October 1, 2027. After that? It closes to everyone except church members with active temple recommends. So if you’ve been curious about what’s inside those historic walls on Temple Square, next year is your chance.
The Numbers Are Staggering
We’re not exaggerating when we say this will be the biggest temple open house the church has ever held. The church is preparing for 3 to 5 million visitors—roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day for six straight months.
To put that in perspective, that’s like hosting a general conference session every single day. Even the 2002 Winter Olympics (which brought 70,000 daily visitors) only lasted 17 days. This? This is a whole different beast.
What to Expect Inside
Ready for the tour? Here’s the play-by-play:
The Journey: You’ll start at the Church’s Conference Center just north of Temple Square, then venture underground to the Temple itself. Pretty cool, right?
The Tour Duration: Plan for 60 to 80 minutes inside the Temple, with access to the entire Temple Square experience potentially stretching into several hours when you factor in the new statues and other church buildings.
Special Docents: The church is calling special missionaries specifically for this open house to serve as guides and make sure your experience is top-notch.
How to Get There (It’s Actually Pretty Smart)
The city and church have worked together to make logistics smooth:
- Parking: A brand-new lighted, secure park-and-ride lot at South Temple and Redwood Road with regular shuttle service
- Public Transit: Free access to TRAX, FrontRunner, and bus service for ticket holders
- Employee Help: Church employees get free UTA passes for the entire six months to help reduce downtown traffic congestion
How to Book Your Visit
In late August or early September 2027, the church will launch an app where you can reserve your tour time. Think of it like booking concert tickets—except instead of a show, you’re getting a rare glimpse inside one of the most famous religious buildings in America.
Heads up: Nearby businesses and residents get first dibs in March 2027, ahead of the general public.
Why This Matters
The Salt Lake Temple has been closed since January 1, 2020, for major seismic upgrades and extensive renovations. All that work wraps up by the end of this year, and the result? A restored Temple that’s safer, stronger, and ready to welcome the world.
This is genuinely once-in-a-lifetime territory. Whether you’re a church member, a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or just someone curious about one of Utah’s most recognizable buildings, 2027 is shaping up to be the year to experience it.
Mark your calendar. Download that app when it launches. And get ready for one unforgettable spring and summer in Salt Lake City.