Get Ready for History: The Salt Lake Temple Is Opening Its Doors in 2027

Hold onto your hats, Salt Lake City—something extraordinary is about to happen. 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 unprecedented celebration. And we’re not talking about a quick peek. This is going to be massive.

What’s Coming Your Way

Starting April 5, 2027, through October 1, 2027, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inviting millions of people to experience the freshly renovated Salt Lake Temple. We’re talking between 3 to 5 million visitors over six months—roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day, every single day, for half a year.

To put that in perspective, that’s like hosting a general conference session daily for 180 consecutive days.

Why the Big Renovation?

The Temple closed its doors on January 1, 2020, for much-needed seismic upgrades and comprehensive renovations. All of that work will be wrapped up by the end of this year, and the wait has been worth it. This isn’t just a paint-and-polish situation—it’s a complete transformation of one of Salt Lake City’s most recognizable buildings.

Here’s How the Tour Works

Expect an experience that goes far beyond a quick walk-through:

• Starting point: The Church’s Conference Center (just north of Temple Square)
• Route: Tours head underground directly into the Temple
• Duration: 60 to 80 minutes inside the Temple itself
• Extra time: Once you’re in the perimeter, you’ll have access to Temple Square, newly installed statues, and other church buildings—plan for several hours total

The church is recruiting special missionaries to serve as tour guides and docents throughout the open house period, so you’ll have knowledgeable people helping you understand what you’re seeing.

How to Get Your Tickets

In late August or early September 2027, The Church of Jesus Christ will launch a dedicated app for booking tour times. No scrambling at ticket windows—everything will be digital and organized.

Getting There (The Smart Way)

Salt Lake City and the church are coordinating a traffic management plan that would impress an Olympic organizer:

Public Transportation:

• The church has partnered with UTA to offer TRAX, FrontRunner, and bus access for ticket holders
• Church employees will receive free UTA passes for the entire six months, helping reduce downtown congestion

Park and Ride:

• A new, lighted, secure park-and-ride lot is being set up at South Temple and Redwood Road
• Regular shuttle service will run directly to Temple Square

Early Access Alert

Here’s a VIP opportunity: In March 2027, the church is inviting nearby businesses and residents to tour the Temple before the general public arrives. If you live or work in the area, keep an eye out for that invitation.

Why This Is Such a Big Deal

This is legitimately the largest temple open house in Church history. To compare: the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics drew approximately 70,000 visitors per day—but that was compressed into just 17 days. This Temple open house will sustain those kinds of numbers for six months straight.

Once October 2, 2027, rolls around, the Temple returns to being accessible only to active church members. So if you’ve ever wanted to see inside, this is your window—literally a six-month window.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re a church member, a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or just curious about Salt Lake City’s most famous building, 2027 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year. Start marking your calendar, and get ready to be part of something historic.

See you at Temple Square.