The Salt Lake Temple is Opening Its Doors—and It’s Going to Be Huge

Hold onto your hats, Salt Lake City! After more than 130 years of keeping its doors closed to the general public, the iconic Salt Lake Temple is about to welcome millions of visitors through its freshly renovated halls. And yes, you read that right—millions.

A Historic Moment Seven Years in the Making

The Salt Lake Temple shut down on January 1, 2020, for some serious TLC. We’re talking seismic upgrades and extensive renovations that would make any historic building blush. Fast forward to the end of this year, and all that reconstruction will be complete. By April 2027, this architectural marvel will be ready for its grand public debut.

Let that sink in for a moment: it’s been over 130 years since regular folks could tour the inside of this place. This isn’t just another temple open house—it’s the largest one The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has ever attempted.

Expect Crowds (and Then Some)

The church is bracing for a massive turnout, estimating between 3 million to 5 million visitors between April 5 and October 1, 2027. That breaks down to roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people every single day for six months straight.

To put that in perspective, during the entire 2002 Olympics (which lasted just 17 days), Salt Lake City saw about 70,000 visitors daily with over 1.5 million tickets sold. This Temple open house will dwarf that experience, stretched across six full months.

“We’re planning for a larger number rather than a smaller number so that we don’t get overwhelmed,” said a church spokesperson. Smart thinking.

Getting Your Tickets and Getting Around

Want to tour the Temple? Mark your calendar for late August or early September 2027, when the church will launch an app specifically designed for booking tour times. No mad dashes to the box office needed—it’s all digital.

Now, about that downtown traffic nightmare everyone’s already worrying about: the church has partnered with UTA to make public transit your friend. Ticket holders can hop on TRAX, FrontRunner, or the bus directly to Temple Square. For those who prefer driving, the church is leasing property at South Temple and Redwood Road to create a massive, lighted, secure park-and-ride lot with shuttle service running regularly to Temple Square.

Oh, and church employees? They’re getting free UTA passes for the entire six-month period to help reduce downtown congestion. Talk about thinking ahead.

What to Expect When You’re There

Here’s the real deal: your tour starts at the church’s Conference Center, just north of Temple Square, then moves underground directly into the Temple. The building tour itself takes 60 to 80 minutes, but plan for several hours total since you’ll also have access to Temple Square (complete with brand-new statues), other church buildings, and plenty of photo ops.

The church is calling in special missionaries to serve as docents and guides throughout the open house period, so you won’t be wandering around clueless.

VIP Preview Coming First

Before the floodgates open to the general public, nearby businesses and residents get a sneak peek in March 2027. It’s a nice touch that shows the church recognizes the local impact of this massive undertaking.

The Bottom Line

This is shaping up to be one of the most significant events Salt Lake City has seen in decades. Whether you’re a church member, a history buff, or just curious about one of the most recognizable buildings in the state, mark your calendars. The Salt Lake Temple’s doors are opening, and you’re invited.

See you in April 2027!