Things to Do at Red Butte Garden

Complete Guide to Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City

About Red Butte Garden

Spanning multiple acres within Salt Lake City, Red Butte Garden offers visitors peaceful green spaces, walking trails, and recreational opportunities that provide respite from urban environments while showcasing local flora and landscape design. Entry is typically free with parking fees ranging from $2-5 USD in nearby lots, while guided nature walks and educational programs cost additional fees and provide expert insights into native plant species, wildlife habitats, and environmental conservation efforts. The park features diverse landscapes including mature trees, seasonal flower displays, and habitat areas that support local wildlife, while walking paths and seating areas encourage leisurely exploration and outdoor relaxation throughout changing seasons. Plan visits during early morning or late afternoon when wildlife activity is highest and temperature conditions are most comfortable for walking, though seasonal variations provide different experiences from spring wildflowers to autumn foliage displays that create constantly changing natural art galleries enhanced by birdsong and rustling leaves.

What to See & Do

Fragrance Garden

A sensory experience designed for visitors to touch and smell plants - surprisingly engaging even if you're not typically into gardens. The herbs and aromatic plants here are chosen specifically for Utah's climate.

Four Seasons Garden

Shows off plants that provide year-round interest in mountain desert conditions. It's actually a great resource if you're thinking about gardening at elevation or in dry climates.

Natural Area Hiking Trails

Miles of trails that connect the formal gardens to the foothills. You'll get genuine mountain views and might spot local wildlife - the trail system is more extensive than most visitors realize.

Rose Garden

Features varieties that can handle Utah's temperature swings and dry air. Peak bloom is typically June through September, and the mountain backdrop makes for some genuinely impressive photos.

Children's Garden

Interactive spaces designed to get kids engaged with plants and nature. Worth a visit even without children - the design is clever and the plant selections are educational for anyone curious about local ecology.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Daily 9am-9pm (May-September), 9am-5pm (October-April). Hours can vary seasonally and for special events, so checking their website beforehand is worth doing.

Tickets & Pricing

Adults $15, seniors/students $13, children 3-17 $6, under 3 free. Annual memberships available and tend to pay for themselves if you visit more than twice. University of Utah students get discounted admission.

Best Time to Visit

Late spring through early fall for the fullest garden experience. Summer evenings are particularly nice, though you'll want to avoid concert nights if you prefer quieter visits. Early morning visits offer the best light and fewer crowds.

Suggested Duration

Plan on 2-4 hours if you want to see both the formal gardens and explore some trails. You could easily spend a full day here if you're into hiking or photography.

Getting There

Red Butte Garden sits in the foothills east of the University of Utah campus, just 15 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. Drive there instead. Public transit requires a bus transfer that most visitors skip for good reason. Take Foothill Drive north from the university area-the entrance has clear signs and free parking. You'll hit university traffic during school hours. Plan accordingly.

Things to Do Nearby

University of Utah Campus
Worth a walk, especially around the historic core. The campus has mountain views and some interesting architecture, plus the Natural History Museum of Utah.

This Is The Place Heritage Park
Living history museum about Utah's pioneer settlement. It's more engaging than it sounds, with historic buildings and demonstrations.

Hogle Zoo
Decent mid-sized zoo with a good reputation for conservation work. The setting against the mountains makes it more scenic than most urban zoos.

Memory Grove Park
Quiet park in City Creek Canyon with walking paths and memorials. Popular with locals for jogging and dog walking - gives you a sense of everyday Salt Lake City life.

Tips & Advice

Bring water and sun protection - the elevation and mountain sun are more intense than you might expect, even in the garden areas.

The natural area trails connect to larger foothill trail systems if you're interested in longer hikes, but stick to marked Red Butte trails unless you're experienced with backcountry navigation.

Check their event calendar before visiting - the summer concert series is popular but completely changes the garden's atmosphere.

The gift shop actually has a good selection of plants and seeds suited to high-altitude, dry climate gardening if you're interested in taking some Utah-appropriate plants home.