Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is on the University of Utah campus in the hills above Salt Lake City. The 100 acre (40 hectares) landscaped botanical park offers a retreat from the city. Come for a morning or afternoon to sit amongst nature and relax, be inspired about your home landscape in every season or enjoy an evening concert in the Garden Amphitheatre.
Hike in the 75 acre Natural Area, which has native plants. Enjoy a picnic on lawns and take in the views across the valley on clear days. Sundance Institute Films screenings s and world-class concerts are held summer evenings in the amphitheater.
In spring, hundreds of thousands of flower bulbs burst into bloom including sunny daffodils, flowering crab apple trees and fragrant lilac bushes. The shady arbors are lined with flowering trees and climbing wisteria. Walk the paths, or sit with a book next to Red Butte Creek in the Secret Garden.
The Rose Garden is at its best in summer, when hundreds of different varieties are in full bloom. The Four Seasons Courtyard is a magnet for visitors in the warmer months. Pull up a chair and sit under a sun umbrella with family or friends. In the evenings catch a sunset view.
Fall brings out rich, natural colors. When it snows, the arboretum stays open for those wanting to walk through a picturesque white landscape. Wreath-making workshops draw in the crowds in December.
Red Butte Garden is open every day except Thanksgiving, New Year’s and the last week of the year. Reserve a place on a tour at the Visitor Center for a small fee. Public events run throughout the year, so plan ahead to catch a show or join a workshop. Enjoy half-price admission during the winter months.
