LOCATIONS
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum
Walter P. Cottam Visitor Center
300 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Front desk: 801-585-0556
Email address: information@redbutte.utah.edu
Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
2188 Red Butte Canyon Rd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Please visit our Virtual Resources webpage for online classes, gardening tips, and nature-based activities that can be done at home.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Open seven days a week unless otherwise noted. Garden hours change seasonally.
*On dates that concerts are scheduled, the Garden will close at 5 pm.
January-February 10 am-5 pm
March 9 am-5 pm
April 9 am-7:30 pm
May-August 9 am-9 pm*
September 9 am-7:30 pm*
October-December 9 am-5 pm
Thanksgiving Day Closed
December 24-January 1 Closed
DAILY GARDEN ADMISSION PRICES
Garden members Free
Adults (age 18-64) $16
Seniors (age 65+) $14
Military personnel with ID $14
Children (age 3-17) $8
Children (age 2 and under) Free
U of U faculty & staff with ID Free
U of U students with ID Free
EBT/WIC/SNAP cardholders Free
CASA caregivers Free
Native American Nation members Free
Red Butte Garden acknowledges that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes. The University of Utah recognizes and respects the enduring relationship that exists between many Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands.
Exceptions:
- Half-price admission in December, January, and February.
- Group Sales: Special rates for groups of 15 or more.
- Six free admission days thanks to Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks.
- Free admission on Veterans Day for military personnel with valid photo ID.
- The Garden is pleased to offer CASA caregivers accompanied by their foster children free daily admission for up to six guests. We believe that children live happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives when they create connections to their natural environment. This is especially true for vulnerable and at-risk children.
- Red Butte Garden supports Museums for All and free daily admission for those who receive food assistance.
- Present your EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) card and valid photo ID to receive free Garden admission for 1-4 guests.
Ticketed events such as BOOtanical Nights, lectures, classes, concerts, and special events are NOT included with daily Garden admission or discounted admission.
Rates, inclusions, and benefits are subject to change without notice.
PHOTOGRAPHY AT RED BUTTE GARDEN
Photography Session
Definition: A public, private, or commercial photography session is an event where a photographer/videographer (either amateur or professional) takes a series of formal photographs of a posed subject(s). A photography session allows the photographer to spend prolonged time composing the photographs and permits use of photography equipment such as tripods, reflectors, props, etc.
Policy: There are fees and a reservation is required for public, private, and commercial photography sessions. Pricing is available upon request.
Groups of 15 or more require a reservation for a private photo session.
Cost & Reservations: Fees range from $100-$375 per hour. To confirm a reservation, please call 801-585-9563 or email rentals@redbutte.utah.edu.
Visit our Photo Policy page for more information.
Snapshot Photography
Definition: Snapshot photography is when a person uses a small handheld camera or smart phone to quickly take informal photographs.
Groups of 15 or more require a reservation for a private photo session.
Policy: Guests are welcome to take snapshots for private use or for sharing on social media. Snapshots may be taken of the plants, gardens, or members of their group during their visit to the Garden.
Cost & Reservations: Included with admission, no reservations required.
GARDEN POLICIES
Accessibility
Red Butte Garden buildings, Amphitheatre, and some of our other outdoor areas are accessible. Please call the Visitor Center at 801-585-0556 or email information@redbutte.utah.edu for more information.
Smoking Policy
In compliance with the Utah Clean Air Act and to preserve and protect our collections, Red Butte Garden is a non-smoking facility. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas. Thank you for your cooperation.
Picnic Policy
Due to limited space and facilities, Red Butte Garden requests that guests adhere to our rules and policies when planning a picnic in the Garden.
Please review our full Picnic Policy.
Animal Policy
Only service animals are allowed inside Red Butte Garden or the Amphitheatre. Please do not leave any animals in the parking lot or in your car.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
For adult classes, summer camps, and other classes.
Please review our full Refund Policy.
Outside Educator Policy
Non-school-based classes and tours led by instructors not affiliated with Red Butte Garden are not permitted. All school and college-based classes and/or private programming will be considered.
Please review our full Outside Educator Policy for more information.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INFO
Public Transportation
There is no direct public transportation to Red Butte Garden though there are options that will get you close to the Visitor Center and Amphitheatre. From these stops, you can either walk to the Garden or catch one of the University’s free shuttles. It is an uphill hike to the Garden and Amphitheatre from bus and TRAX stops, and there aren’t many sidewalks in Research Park, so you must walk on the road in some areas.
Check the public transportation schedules for routes to the University of Utah campus, medical center, or Research Park before planning your trip to the Garden:
University Shuttle
The University’s free on-demand shuttle will take you from the medical TRAX station to Red Butte Garden and Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU). From the U of U Medical Center TRAX station, cross the street to the bus/shuttle stop. Call 801-581-4189 (801-581-4189 after 6 PM), and choose Medical TRAX as the pick-up station and Natural History Museum of Utah as the drop-off station. Red Butte Garden is located next door to the NHMU.
Note that shuttles run Monday through Friday. Shuttles do not run on days that the University is closed.