The Salt Lake Temple, one of the most architecturally distinctive religious buildings in the United States, opens its doors to the general public only on rare occasions during designated open house periods following major renovation or construction work. These open houses offer a unique opportunity to see the historic interior spaces, intricate craftsmanship, and sacred rooms that are otherwise accessible only to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in good standing.
Understanding when open houses occur, what you can expect to see, how to reserve tickets, and how to plan your visit will help you make the most of this infrequent cultural and architectural experience in downtown Salt Lake City.
What Is the Salt Lake Temple Open House?
The Salt Lake Temple open house is a free public tour program that allows visitors of all backgrounds to walk through the temple’s interior during a limited period, typically several weeks or months, before or after major restoration work. During normal operations, only church members holding a current temple recommend may enter, making open houses the only chance for most people to see inside this iconic landmark.
Why the Salt Lake Temple Matters
Completed in 1893 after 40 years of construction, the Salt Lake Temple stands as the centerpiece of Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City and serves as the most recognizable symbol of the Latter-day Saint faith. The granite structure rises six stories high with six spires, the tallest reaching 210 feet and topped with a statue of the angel Moroni.
The temple’s exterior walls are built from quartz monzonite granite quarried from Little Cottonwood Canyon, roughly 20 miles southeast of the city. Workers hauled the massive blocks by oxen-drawn wagons, and the building’s construction represents one of the most ambitious pioneer-era projects in the American West.
Inside, the temple contains ceremonial rooms used for religious ordinances central to Latter-day Saint theology, decorated with detailed murals, woodwork, and symbolic design elements that reflect both 19th-century craftsmanship and specific theological meanings.
When Open Houses Occur
Salt Lake Temple open houses do not follow a regular schedule. They typically happen following significant renovation projects, seismic upgrades, or restoration work that requires the building to close for extended periods.
The most recent major open house followed a multi-year seismic and preservation project that began in late 2019. You should check the official Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website or Temple Square visitor resources for current open house dates, as these events may not occur again for many years once renovation work is complete.
How Long Open Houses Last
When scheduled, open houses generally run for several weeks to a few months, depending on the scope of work completed and anticipated visitor interest. Tours operate on a timed-entry reservation system to manage crowd flow through interior spaces.
Each tour typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, including waiting time, the guided walk through multiple rooms and corridors, and a brief orientation or conclusion area.
What You Will See Inside
The temple’s interior layout includes several distinct ceremonial rooms, hallways, and staircases, each serving specific religious functions. Open house tours generally allow visitors to walk through a predetermined route that showcases the architecture, art, and symbolic design without disrupting the sacred nature of the spaces.
Key Interior Spaces
- Creation Room: Features murals depicting biblical creation scenes with detailed painted landscapes
- Garden Room: Displays pastoral imagery and refined period furnishings
- World Room: Showcases detailed architectural moldings and symbolic decorative elements
- Terrestrial Room: Contains light-filled spaces with ornate chandeliers and crafted woodwork
- Celestial Room: The temple’s most elaborately decorated space, with white and gold tones, crystal chandeliers, and reflective surfaces intended to symbolize heavenly beauty
- Sealing Rooms: Smaller ceremonial rooms with altars and mirrors arranged to create infinite reflections
Photography policies vary by open house. Some allow visitors to take photos in certain rooms, while others prohibit all personal photography to maintain reverence and control image distribution.
How to Reserve Your Tour
Reservations are typically required for Salt Lake Temple open house tours due to high demand and crowd management needs. The church usually opens an online reservation system several weeks before the open house begins.
You can reserve time slots for free through the official open house website, selecting your preferred date and time. Walk-in tours may be available during less busy periods, but reserved time slots guarantee entry and reduce waiting time significantly.
Group and Accessibility Accommodations
Large groups, school tours, and organized visits usually require advance coordination through the reservation system. The church provides accommodations for visitors with mobility challenges, including wheelchair-accessible routes and seating areas, though some historic spaces may have limitations due to the building’s age and design.
If you need specific accessibility support, language interpretation, or other accommodations, contact the open house organizers when making your reservation.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Plan to arrive at the designated meeting area near Temple Square at least 15 minutes before your reserved time. You will likely pass through a brief security screening similar to those at museums or government buildings.
Visitors typically receive shoe coverings to protect the temple’s historic floors and carpets. The tour follows a guided or self-guided path with volunteer hosts available to answer questions about the architecture, history, and religious significance of the spaces.
Visitor Guidelines
- Modest dress is requested out of respect for the sacred nature of the building; avoid shorts, tank tops, or revealing clothing
- Maintain a respectful, quiet demeanor throughout the tour
- Follow all photography rules, which will be explained at the beginning of your tour
- Keep children supervised, as the spaces contain delicate historic elements
- Do not bring large bags, backpacks, strollers, or food and drinks into the temple
The temple is climate-controlled year-round, so you won’t need to adjust your clothing for indoor temperature regardless of the season.
How Much Time to Allow
Reserve at least two hours for your complete Temple Square visit, including your temple tour, security screening, and time to explore the surrounding grounds and visitor centers. If you plan to visit other Temple Square attractions on the same day, allow three to four hours total.
The temple tour itself moves at a measured pace to accommodate groups and allow time for viewing each room. You cannot rush ahead or linger significantly beyond the group’s pace, as tours follow a timed schedule to accommodate all reserved visitors.
Exploring Temple Square and Nearby Attractions
Temple Square, a 10-acre plaza surrounding the Salt Lake Temple, remains open to the public year-round and contains several other significant buildings and gardens. You can explore these areas before or after your temple open house tour.
Temple Square Highlights
- Tabernacle: A domed auditorium famous for its unique acoustics and home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, offering free tours and occasional performances
- Assembly Hall: A Victorian Gothic building used for concerts and meetings, open for self-guided visits
- Temple Square Gardens: Landscaped grounds with seasonal flowers, historic monuments, and walking paths
- North and South Visitor Centers: Museums with exhibits on Latter-day Saint history, art, and beliefs, including a replica of Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue
The Church History Museum, located one block north of Temple Square, offers free admission and displays pioneer artifacts, religious art, and exhibits on the westward migration of early Latter-day Saints. The Family History Library, the world’s largest genealogical library, sits across the street and welcomes visitors interested in researching their ancestry.
Getting to Temple Square
Temple Square occupies the block bordered by Main Street, South Temple, West Temple, and North Temple in downtown Salt Lake City. The location is easily accessible by multiple transportation methods.
Public Transportation
The TRAX light rail system serves Temple Square via the Temple Square and City Center stations, both within a two-minute walk. The free S-Line streetcar connects downtown to the Sugar House neighborhood, stopping near Temple Square.
Multiple Utah Transit Authority bus lines serve stops within two blocks of Temple Square. Check current UTA schedules and routes before your visit, as service frequency varies by day and season.
Parking Options
Temple Square does not have dedicated visitor parking. Several paid parking structures and surface lots operate within three blocks, including the Crossroads Plaza parking garage and lots along West Temple and North Temple.
Parking rates typically range from $5 to $15 for several hours, with higher rates during special events. Street parking is limited and usually restricted to one or two hours with meter payment.
Best Time of Year to Visit
If an open house is scheduled, your visit timing depends entirely on the announced dates rather than optimal weather or crowds. However, understanding seasonal conditions helps you plan your overall Temple Square experience.
Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) offer comfortable temperatures for walking around Temple Square’s outdoor areas, typically ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer brings hot, dry weather often exceeding 90 degrees, while winter can be cold with temperatures frequently below freezing and occasional snow.
Temple Square’s Christmas lights display, running from late November through early January, attracts large crowds but creates a distinctive atmosphere. If your open house visit coincides with this period, expect longer waits and more congestion around Temple Square.
Where to Stay
Downtown Salt Lake City offers numerous hotel options within walking distance of Temple Square, ranging from budget chains to upscale properties. Staying downtown eliminates parking concerns and allows easy access to Temple Square, restaurants, and other city attractions.
Hotels within a five-block radius of Temple Square include properties operated by major chains such as Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt. Book accommodations well in advance if your visit coincides with major events like the Sundance Film Festival (January), outdoor recreation peak season (summer), or LDS General Conference weekends (early April and early October).
The Avenues neighborhood, located on the hillside northeast of Temple Square, offers bed-and-breakfast options and quieter residential surroundings within a 15-minute walk or short drive from Temple Square.
Dining Near Temple Square
Downtown Salt Lake City provides diverse dining options within a few blocks of Temple Square, ranging from quick casual spots to full-service restaurants. The area immediately surrounding Temple Square has limited dining directly on-site, but the blocks to the south and east contain most downtown restaurants.
City Creek Center, an outdoor shopping complex one block east of Temple Square, houses multiple restaurants and a food court. Main Street and the nearby Gateway district offer additional choices including locally owned cafes, international cuisine, and Utah-based restaurant chains.
Utah has unique liquor laws that affect restaurant service. Many restaurants do not serve alcohol, and those that do may require food orders with alcoholic drinks or operate as private clubs requiring membership or temporary membership fees, though these laws have relaxed somewhat in recent years.
Extending Your Salt Lake City Visit
If you’re traveling to Salt Lake City specifically for a temple open house, consider adding one or two additional days to explore other area attractions that showcase Utah’s natural beauty and pioneer history.
Cultural and Historic Sites
- Utah State Capitol: Offers free guided tours of the restored neoclassical building and commanding valley views from Capitol Hill
- Natural History Museum of Utah: Features exhibits on regional geology, paleontology, and indigenous cultures with modern interactive displays
- This Is the Place Heritage Park: Living history park commemorating the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley
- Clark Planetarium: Free admission to exhibits with separate fees for IMAX films and planetarium shows
Nearby Mountain Recreation
Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon, each about 30 to 45 minutes from downtown, provide access to hiking trails, world-class ski resorts, and alpine scenery. Summer hiking ranges from easy lakeside walks to challenging peak climbs, while winter brings opportunities for skiing and snowboarding at Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, and Solitude resorts.
Antelope Island State Park, accessible via a causeway across the Great Salt Lake about 45 minutes north of Salt Lake City, offers wildlife viewing opportunities including bison herds, unique salt lake shoreline exploration, and hiking trails with expansive desert and lake views.
Important Considerations
The Salt Lake Temple open house is a religious event hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the experience includes explanations of Latter-day Saint beliefs and theology. Tours are designed to educate visitors about the faith as well as showcase the architecture.
Volunteers staffing the open house are typically church members who may invite you to learn more about their faith, attend services, or meet with missionaries. You are free to politely decline any invitations beyond the tour itself.
The temple’s high elevation (approximately 4,300 feet above sea level) may cause mild altitude effects for visitors from low-elevation areas, including slight shortness of breath or fatigue. Stay hydrated and take your time walking, especially if you plan extensive outdoor exploration around Salt Lake City.
Planning Your Visit
Start by confirming whether an open house is currently scheduled or announced, as these events occur infrequently and for limited periods. Visit the official Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website or contact Temple Square visitor services for the most current information on dates, reservation procedures, and tour guidelines.
Once you confirm open house dates, reserve your tour time slot as early as possible, as popular times fill quickly, especially weekends and evenings. Coordinate your reservation with your travel arrangements, lodging, and any other Salt Lake City activities you want to include in your trip.
Remember that this is a rare opportunity to see spaces that remain closed to the public during normal temple operations. The combination of architectural craftsmanship, historical significance, and limited access makes the Salt Lake Temple open house a distinctive experience whether your interest is cultural, architectural, religious, or historical.
Thank you for reading this guide to planning your Salt Lake Temple open house visit, and we hope you find the experience both educational and memorable.