The Salt Lake Temple is Coming Back—And It’s Going to Be HUGE

After more than 130 years of keeping its doors closed to the general public, the Salt Lake Temple is about to welcome millions of curious visitors, history buffs, and the downright awestruck. And honestly? This is going to be epic.

What’s Happening and When

Starting April 5, 2027, the beautifully renovated Salt Lake Temple on Temple Square will open its doors for an extended six-month public tour extravaganza, running all the way through October 1, 2027. After that date, only active church members with temple recommends will be allowed inside—so if you’re thinking about visiting, mark those dates on your calendar NOW.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Salt Lake City are joining forces to make this happen, and they’re not taking the logistics lightly.

Why Everyone’s Talking About This

The Salt Lake Temple closed on January 1, 2020, for some serious work: seismic upgrades and extensive renovations that took seven years to complete. The result? A fully restored architectural gem ready to dazzle visitors.

The numbers tell the story of just how massive this event will be. The church is preparing for 3 to 5 million visitors over those six months—that’s roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day. To put that in perspective, that’s basically equivalent to running one full session of the church’s biannual general conference every single day for half a year.

For context, the 2002 Winter Olympics brought about 70,000 visitors daily to Salt Lake City—but that was only for 17 days. This open house is a different animal entirely.

Here’s What the Tour Experience Looks Like

The tour kicks off at the Church’s Conference Center, just north of Temple Square, and from there, visitors will travel underground directly into the Temple itself. The Temple tour portion runs 60 to 80 minutes, but plan for a longer visit overall. Once you’re inside the perimeter, you’ll have access to Temple Square (complete with new statues), other church buildings, and exhibits. The whole experience could easily eat up several hours—in the best way possible.

The church is calling on special missionaries to serve as docents and guides throughout the open house period, so you’ll have knowledgeable people ready to answer your questions and share the Temple’s fascinating history.

Getting There (Traffic Solutions Included)

Salt Lake City is gearing up for an influx of visitors, and planners are being smart about it.

Here’s the good news on transportation:

• Tickets and booking: An app will launch in late August or early September 2027 to reserve your tour times
• Public transit: The church has partnered with UTA to offer discounted or free transit on TRAX, FrontRunner, and buses for ticket holders
• Park and ride: A new lighted, secure park-and-ride lot with regular shuttle service is being set up at South Temple and Redwood Road
• Employee perks: Church employees will receive free UTA passes for the entire six-month period to help reduce downtown traffic

A Little Preview First

Before the general public arrives in April, the church is inviting nearby residents and businesses to tour the Temple in March 2027. It’s a nice way to get the local community involved before things get absolutely packed.

The Bottom Line

This is a genuinely rare moment in history. Over a century has passed since the public could walk through the Salt Lake Temple, and by 2027, millions of people will have the chance to see this restored architectural masterpiece up close. Whether you’re religious, historically curious, or just interested in being part of something truly momentous, this is an event worth planning for.

Start thinking about your spring or summer 2027 travel plans—and get ready for what promises to be the most anticipated Temple open house ever held.