Red Butte Garden and Arboretum

This garden was absolutely beautiful. We visited on Memorial Day and the number and variety of flowers that were blooming was superb. It smelled amazing, too. There was a gazebo at the top of a hill with a view, and a gentle wind was blowing the fragrances up the hill. So not only were there amazing views and beautiful flowers, but we also got to experience the scents from the garden. I appreciate that the info placards have growing zones listed for each plant, in addition to their name and brief physical description. The oak tunnel was also great. I would maybe recommend bug spray depending on whether you plan to spend time near the waterfall/pond area or on the creek side hiking trails. I could spend a day wandering here, and would gladly go back.

It’s been a few years since we were last here. My grandkids had a great time. Weather was perfect. We brought in a picnic lunch and were able to grab the last available table. Not a lot of tables for the amount of people that visit. We spent most of our time at the children’s garden and it didn’t disappoint. Splash pad, maze that had vines growing around a metal form in the shape of a very long snake (so cool!) several different areas with different features and activities. We will definitely be back. We went in Mother’s Day and it was pretty busy but, having different areas to explore helped spread people out. We never felt crowded. We saw a juvenile rattlesnake on our way up to the Children’s Garden. He was definitely aware of the people - poor guy was just trying get across the path so he was very cautious, not aggressive. An employee was present and they helped him get across the pass safely (for everyone) And the flowers, oh the flowers!!! 😍 just lovely throughout the property. So beautiful ♥️

We came up to red Butte Gardens at around 7 PM and stayed till close. The whole atmosphere is relaxing, peaceful, beautiful, and educational. Highly recommend for families, for contemplation, and for a calm evening stroll. I particularly enjoy the Seven Bridges walk; take some time to explore this beautiful garden!

An excellent place for a hike , trails for all skill levels. The grounds are absolutely perfect and well kept. There is plenty to see , do and learn while on the property. An excellent place for a picnic or to read a good book. I highly recommend this property for anyone passing through with a couple of hours to spare .

Very gorgeous gardens located right next to the natural history museum. $16 admission for a day pass. They have lots of trails you can hike as well as different gardens for kids and adults to enjoy. Lots of couples taking photos here for engagement and even a wedding was taking place when i was here. Parking lot available here.

What I appreciate the most about Salt Lake City's botanical garden is how it blends cultivated grounds with the surrounding nature. On one side, the garden just morphs into the adjoining canyon and creek, and the transition from the highly manicured lawn and rose garden to the wilderness is gradual and thoughtful. The garden of course, offers a great variety of plants and flowers, plus free tours, several scenic overlooks, two tree-house type structures, a pond, a stream, a waterfall and much, much more. It's a feast to the eyes and nourishment for the soul. I keep coming back.

Concert venue is great! Parking and public transportation, not so much. It would be nice if the seated area was a bit further down the hill as those patrons tend to stand like it is happy hour and block others from easily seeing the show. Always great performances though!

I love this place so much. I come here all the time to read my books and get some peace and quiet. I highly recommend coming here. Bring your family and kids. There’s so much to do awesome classes. You can take so much to learn and admire about the care of these botanical garden.

This is actually a garden and arboretum. There is quite a variety throughout. There are several separate sections of different gardens ranging from a local semi-arid garden to a rose garden to a medicinal garden. There is a main route you can follow that loops 1/2 mile without going "into" the actual gardens. You can take that route and decide what you want to branch off and see. There are even trails off toward the mountains - one has a small waterfall. Took us nearly 3 hours to see what we wanted.

I truly enjoyed being with nature at the Red Butte Garden which offered great walking trails and awesome views of the city. They had an outdoor yoga class in session in the herb garden that I strolled past. Looking at and observing all of the plants was very refreshing. The entry fee was less than $20. At the entry point they have map available. A great place to have relaxing fun!

This garden is absolutely beautiful and I had such a fun time here with what was there! I'm sad many of the plants and flowers were already dead/dying when I visited late September! One of the nicest gardens I've ever visited! It was way larger than I expected and I'm glad they provide a map to help you not get lost. There's a few different trails within the garden itself and some that lead into hiking trails. You could easily spend an entire day here constantly seeing new areas and still have more places to see for next time. Pricewise, it isn't expensive and you get an all-day pass so you can come and go as you please. It's the same price year-round which is a bit unfortunate since you don't get the same experience throughout the year or even depending on the time of day. Their giftshop is a cute area with some fun, unique items. My guy bough me the most gorgeous flower necklace and earrings every!

I visited this place at the recommendation of a fellow traveler who I met at the neighboring Natural History Museum (separate review). Red Butte Garden is a lovely gem where you can enjoy the botanical garden with beautiful views of SLC all around. The admission fee was reasonable and I made use of the digital map to get around. I did appreciate the water fountains along the way because one can easily forget to drink water while exploring the grounds. Overall solid experience and highly recommended for first time visitors to SLC.

What a gorgeous way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon. For $16 you get full access to abundant gardens, including a rose garden, fragrance garden, medicinal garden and more lovely sights to see. It's a great way to get away from the bustle of the city and clear your head with a relaxing stroll. There's plenty of benches scattered around the grounds to rest, reflect and enjoy the view!

There is a quote by Da Vinci referencing Nature: "...because, in her inventions, nothing is lacking, and nothing is superfluous." Red Butte Garden is a PERFECT example of this belief. My God - what a stunning experience here today. Every corner is breathtaking and I don't know that I've ever noticed before how roses can smell so brilliant and so different, all at the same time. I believe this Garden is an extension of the University of Utah, and education never smelled so sweet. While here, I noticed a wedding taking place in the Rose Garden (an exquisite venue). But my preference was the Six Bridges Trail where I walked in privacy taking in the babbling brooks and just thanking God I could spend the day surrounded by this much lush natural glory. If you come to SLC and don't visit RBG, well honey, you have my sympathies because even the hummingbirds are (very) happy to be here.

Beautiful gardens! I was visiting Salt Lake City and this was one of the places I wanted to see. The gardens are well maintained and have so many different types of flowers. There are quiet areas with benches, grass or swings to sit. I loved the swings and the beautiful views of the gardens. They have a paved walking path so it is easy for people of all ages to take a nice walk. I felt very peaceful visiting such a beautiful place. I definitely recommend visiting this place if you are in the area.

I literally could write the longest review in history about this magical place, but will keep it shirt and sweet. It was absolutely GORGEOUS!! we did a few different trails up the mountain and through the grounds. The waterfalls OH! My Goodness-- beautiful and surrounded near the dreamiest rose gardens . I could stay here all day. The scenery was like nothing I had ever seen. Backdrop for the most beautiful pictures. This arboretum is very well maintained. The staff was nice and there is a gift shop when you enter. We saw a wedding take place while there and it looked beautiful. This place is a 10 out of 10. Utah overall was such a great state!

What a great venue to enjoy Utah's famous summer nights. Unless you get VIP seats it's general admission seating on the grass. People are pretty good about making room if it's a close fit but don't expect them to rearrange everything for you. Shows generally start at 7:30 and the heat has usually bled off a bit by then. In the shade it's perfect. Once the sun goes completely down it can get a little on the chilly side so bring a light jacket. They allow food and drink, so it's fun the bring a little picnic to eat before and during the shows. Wine and cheese seem popular, we brought take out Chinese. Great way to spend an evening. We saw Big Head Todd and the Monsters who were really good. And Blues Travelers who have a couple of good songs and make a lot of noise.

This is a fun place to explore- and I'm not really into flowers and plants! It's impeccably maintained and is a "choose your own adventure" type of place. There are so many garden areas, lookout points, natural hiking trail areas above the gardens, and lots of shaded seating areas to chill. It's a peaceful place to go alone or with a friend. I'd recommend lots of sun protection and water, especially if you attempt the hiking trails (very little shade). There are water bottle refilling stations in the garden areas. If you're looking for a sensory experience in the springtime, this has to be near the top of the list. U of U faculty/staff/students are free with U Card, and other adults are $12-14.

Our favorite outdoor spot in the SLC area! Free admission for American Horticultural Society (AHS) members and reciprocally with other botanic gardens. There are paths leading back into the wild land up canyon behind the garden. The garden faces southwest and has a more Mediterranean climate than nearby locations. In the winter, the main paths are usually open and safe to walk because they are free of ice; visit the conservatory to warm up. In summer, this garden gets hot!

Beautiful venue! If I could go to a concert here every time, I would. Insanely beautiful landscaping. Entry to the concert was swift (I was Portugal the Man) & the staff was very friendly. I sat fairly far back, but the way the lawn is set up, you can have a great view wherever you sit. We brought small/low chairs & a cooler with wine & cheese. Honestly, one of the best concert experiences I have ever had.

One of my favorite venues in the US. You can't beat this place!! It's definitely gotten so much more popular since my first visit in 2013 but it's still a lovely place to see a show. BYOB / BYO picnic basket. How can you go wrong?

This garden is beautiful and has cultivated trails in the garden and nature access hiking. I love the fragrance garden and they are expanding further into the mountains so the views are incredible from the new area. The basic membership is $60. If you work at the U, you get in free with your badge. You can book events such as weddings and receptions here. A lot of the garden is wheelchair accessible. It's easy to check in with front desk staff. You can add your membership to your Apple wallet for scanning at the entrance. This is also a good place to have a picnic.

Reasonably priced. Be ready to climb hills and stairs. The displays are gorgeous and the scents are amazing!

The garden is incredibly beautiful and very well maintained. They even have a cute gift shop!

Utah has shown me the beauty of living museums and arboretums. I stopped by Red Butte Garden yesterday, on Mother's Day. As such and as expected, it was a bit crowded. The Garden features a winding path that encompasses various sub-gardens, as well as a waterfall, an amphitheater, and more. I shelled out $14 for entry, but they offer discounts for University of Utah students, as well as seniors, and children. Aside from the Garden itself, one thing that thoroughly impressed me was the gift shop. I'm a sucker for gift shops, but this one stood out because it was affordable. For example, I was able to pick up a pair of earrings carved from wood for my mother for merely $12. I also purchased a water which was in a neat aluminum bottle. I would love to visit the Red Butte Garden later in the summer, when the rose garden is blooming. I will definitely be back.

I mean, I'm sure this place is beautiful when it's not covered in snow and you can actually see all of the flowers and plants in full bloom. Unfortunately, we visited the first week of April after a massive storm had come through so we were able to see just that, snow. The grounds are beautiful and you could easily spend hours at this place. Inside they had a bonsai contest on display that I found fascinating. I would love to come back when the weather is better to see this garden in all its glory!

This place will feed your spirit, especially if you are a gardener and/or simply appreciate nature's beauty. Tourists and locals will love it!

What a beautiful view! If you're a student and have a student ID, you get in at half price. I believe regular price is $14. The two people at the front desk were super sweet and helpful. I live in Nevada, but traveled to Salt Lake City for a small trip with a close friend. The higher up you go in the garden the more beautiful the view gets. I would suggest going here for pictures, or just for a nice talk and walk. We noticed a few people drinking coffee and sitting out in the garden enjoying the view at sunset. I highly recommend!

A really cool spot in Salt Lake City. There are the gardens, which are beautiful and then there are hikers above the garden that you can check out. It was really hot when we visited so we opted not to hike. They offer a complimentary tour. Tim was amazing! He took us around on a golf cart for about 20 minutes and explained different parts of the gardens to us. He was very informative and friendly and it was a great way to start our day at the gardens.

I love coming here to go for walks or taking our son to the children's garden. It's also a great place to get ideas for native/water-wise plants for your home garden. The bonsai and orchid shows in the spring/fall are also always cool to see too.

I stopped by this place not having super high expectations, and boy did the experience exceed them! This was one of the coolest gardens/arboretums I've ever been to. Lots of different sections/types of plants, and a huge emphasis on sustainability, with explanatory boards all around detailing how they did (and you can) increase garden sustainability. If you have any interest in plants, check it out - you won't regret it!

The Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre is my absolute favorite spot to see a concert. I become a member every single year to be able to get first dibs on their concerts, many of which sell out every summer. The space is absolutely incredible, they let in the perfect number of people, you can see the stage from anywhere you're seated, and you can bring in anything you want - food, alcohol, etc. The only downside is that you do need to arrive early if you want really good seats, many people start waiting to get in 1-2 hours before doors open to get the best seats. If you get VIP tickets, then you don't have to worry about waiting. The tickets to go to the shows here are pricey, but it's absolutely worth it to come to this space. Whenever I go, I always make a night of it, since you can bring so many things in. Grab some dinner, make some snacks, bring in some drinks, put some blankets down for a picnic. It's such a lovely spot. It's wild to me how this happens, but for some reason, even in August, this venue gets really chilly at night! So be sure to bring a sweater, blankets, jacket, and get ready to get cozy and bundle up! Red Butte Garden itself is also beautiful, and they have several different workshops that they host throughout the year. It's such a wonderful community space!

What an incredible place! The garden is always so so beautiful, have been several times with friends from out of town and they always love it! Every time I go it seems it is always different and that new plants have been added to the garden. Highly recommend this place if you are looking for an enjoyable hour or so outdoors and enjoying plants. Looks like they also have weddings or events, may be a place I consider for some upcoming events I have planned!

Beautiful garden. I think you can easily spend a whole day here. I think it will take about 2-3 hours at least to walk around the whole garden.

I go here for free with my badge from the U hospital. It's a great place to walk and exercise and even has access to nature hiking trails that go up into the mountains. It has a nice gift shop and is a beautiful venue for weddings. I'd recommend going here at sunset for the views from the new addition.

We almost didn't go. The weather was cold with off and on showers and those days you just want to sit by the fireplace. I figured we better get some exercise and thought the gardens would be a great path to walk. I honestly thought this was just another garden place, but boy was I wrong! The creativity that went into these exhibits to brighten them up for dark fall days is phenomenal! I guess we got to see their "Bootanical garden exhibit" and even better got in for free because of our Desert Botanical Garden membership! We seemed to warm up as we started walking and the way the gardens are organized they create a bit of wind break and shelter in some areas from the elements. Also if you're feeling a little tired there are a ton of benches to take a break and take in the beauty around you. I highly recommend checking this place out for the Halloween season.

In my dreams, I have a green thumb-surrounded by beautiful plants, trees and flowers. But in reality, I struggle to keep things alive and do well just to maintain the simple things I have in my home yard. So I appreciate that there is a place nearby that I can wander to appreciate the work of people who truly do have the green thumb that I lack. This garden is a little different than what you might expect. Often, gardens are full of colorful annual flowers-which are beautiful, but a little....boring. Not here. You'll find plenty of color, but what stands out to me is the variety of plants and flowers. They are not the standard fare that you see around hotels or city parks. Many of these have unusual names and may be a flower that you've never seen before. I was truly surprised at the variety. Of course, your experience will vary depending on what time of year you visit. So make it a point to come during different seasons to get the full effect. And plan enough time to really take it all in.

Adore Red Butte w my whole soul! Got married here and would do it again. Utterly stunning and educational at the same time

Great place for a garden stroll. Beautiful, relaxing and educational. We walked and let mom take the free tram tour of the garden which she enjoyed.

Where do I even begin? I guess we start with background. I'm a plant nerd. Green geek. Flower freak. There was a time when I knew the Latin names of most of the common landscape species and even a few of the wildflowers, and while a few years have passed since those days, I can still whip a good agastache rupestris or digitalis purpurea out of the recesses of my brain. (Side note: these are two of my favoritest plants ever and they both can be found at Red Butte). The actual location of the Garden is wonderful--being up behind the University of Utah, near the museum, it's tucked in its own little world. More importantly, though, it sits right on the creek, and the dramatic change in topography allows for some fun breaks in scenery. The belt below the drought tolerant garden that hairpins back on itself, through a canopy of trees, with treetop picnic stops, and then lands in the grassy ponds, is just perfect. The garden is broken up into several different areas, with a focus on each: four seasons, kids, highly scented, medicinal plants, roses, etc. I like this small focus and it helps you from getting too overwhelmed at once. For a massive garden, the acreage is very well maintained. You obviously see different things in bloom at different times of year, so it's going to change from the spring bulbs, to the salvias, to the lilies, to the mums, to the bright foliage, rinse, repeat. I was particularly taken by the focus on perennial plants; the lion's share of the plant life is perennial with only a few areas relying on annuals for color. There are surprisingly few containers, so at some parts of the year you may not see as much color. But I adore perennials. I love the weird ones. The strange varieties, and they have hundreds and hundreds from the very massive field of black-eyed susan, to the one-off variety of a strange creeping vine that you won't see at the big box store nursery, ever. I just wish I had more time. Memberships are somewhat reasonable, so if you think you could enjoy it every few weeks, or even a few times a year, it's probably worth it to pop for one. You can plan events here. I saw (and heard) a wedding party going on during my summer night visit. I didn't stay to snoop, but it looks like an attractive space. I did see the actual wedding ceremony part of the garden, which serves as a lovely setting. Lots of people only visit here for the amphitheatre where the much heralded summer concert series takes place, and though I've never seen a show there, I think it sounds sublime. But if that's the only reason you come here, you're definitely missing out.

One of the best things about visiting a garden is that it changes with each season and there is always something beautiful to see. We absolutely loved the ornamental grass and the fall anemone. The roses were still in bloom during the fall season. Here you can explore the fragrance garden, the herb garden, the medicinal garden, the four seasons garden, the water pavilion garden, and the children's garden. There are 21 acres of display gardens so put on your comfortable shoes and get lost for the day. The views from the canyon overlook were a highlight.

We loved everything about this place! The setting is stunning, with views of the surrounding mountains in places and many benches and secluded spots to sit and relax. The flowers are spectacular and generally well labeled. The gift shop is also well stocked. Highly recommend!

I thought this was a nice garden to visit during our trip to Salt Lake City! It was fairly large and nice to walk through (I think we spent about 1.5 hours here). Some parts of the garden weren't very colorful, but we did spot a few flowers that were stunningly vibrant. Overall a nice visit if you're in Salt Lake City!

This is a must visit place in Salt Lake City. It is really lovely and peaceful. The parking lot is pretty big, but as you walk around the park it never seems very crowded. I went on a sunny day and it was just beautiful and soon as you exit building and look at the garden. It is very well maintained and has very nice walking paths. There is a very wide range of flowers and plants (many of which are helpfully named). There is also some lovely art cut from the bushes. It is really pleasant to walk the whole area, I will be back.

Finding this made my day. Unexpectedly, one of the better botanical gardens I've visited.... Lovely shady trails, quails roaming about, exquisite flowers, and a very fun kids section with giant lizard benches. What's not to love?

Don't visit in March. I paid $30 for 2 of us yesterday. There were almost no plants/flowers. Just a bunch of debris & dead leaves. Many areas were blocked off. Instead of the sounds of nature, we spent the entire time listening to machinery. I understand maintenance is required, however we weren't warned of this before paying full price & entering the gardens. Would be interesting to return in a month or 2 when there's flowers in bloom and no machinery to ruin the ambiance.

We went in late July and while we realize that's somewhat of an off time, basically only cone flowers, black eyed Susan's, and a few rose and hydrangeas were in bloom. Tickets were $14 which are pricey for something kinda meh. We spent 45 minutes max and saw it all. Would go back, but only if you can get tix cheaper or when more things are in bloom in spring.

About" bootanical in the garden" Unfortunately you guys are very unorganized... kept promoting the event on Facebook without saying it needs to register online.... Unless you go on the website..and when you go there it's all sold out... and on fb red butte still saying they had open spots until October 31, when You go on the site and it says it's sold out... lost interest... unorganized.

I'm not quite sure why Yelp changed this page--specifically for the Butte Garden CONCERT SERIES -- to Red Butte Garden ... which already exists, but anyhoo.... I'm reviewing RBG's annual Outdoor Concert Series, local concertgoer's annual May-September romance with the 30+ shows at the famed outdoor amphitheater. Tickets are usually around $60-75 and RBG members get it $5 cheaper. Despite their "Gates Open" time an hour before the show, people stake their claim, well earlier in the day, to get a primo spot on the lawn. I highly recommend bringing a lawn chair (there are no seats), your own food and beverage (allowed), plenty of water (it's usually HOT!). There are concessions (from candy to burgers), artist merch, and clean bathrooms. As for the artists, it's a mixed bag of established legends (John Prine, Lucinda Williams, Steve Miller Band, etc.) once was-es (Howard Jones, Lyle Lovett, Seal, Stray Cats, OMD, Berlin, B-52s, etc.), one step from breaking big (Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucius, etc.), who-the-hell-are-theys (The Wood Brothers, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, etc.), and indie darlings (Lord Huron, Gary Clark Jr., Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Tash Sultana, etc.). There is usually an opener that takes up the first 45-60 minutes of the posted show start time (usually 7:30 pm). Some times, it's a great value, some time you overpay for scrubs, sometimes you feel you paid exactly what it was worth. The quality of artists usually don't blow you away (Adele, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift will not be here any time soon), but it's worth looking into. The fact that you get to hang out in a great venue with a great view shouldn't be underestimated. Keep in mind that if you want tickets, get 'em early ... most events sell out. Check out their schedule ... it's a great place for a concert!

This week marked my first experience at Red Butte. I've lived in the Salt Lake area for most my life and have never been. This review is based on my experience going to a concert at the amphitheater. Some context, I am a amateur concert goer and find myself at a concert a couple times a year. This was by far my favorite venue. The amphitheater was well maintained and their wasn't a bad seat. Being the middle of summer, it was hot but their was a nice breeze coming in from the canyon. The staff at the venue were helpful and did a great job maintaining order in what couple be chaotic. I was worried about sound but they did a great job making sure there was good balance and the sound was crisp. I would definitely come back for a concert at Red Butte.

This place is an absolute delight! A hidden gem tucked into the rocky landscape of Utah and hidden in the back of the university campus - you definitely don't want to miss out on the expansive collection of flora from all over the world. Tours with knowledge and enthusiastic guides that run frequently - I was lucky enough to ride shotgun with them! A huge rose garden with many different types, large seasonal flower walls, pear trees! Each step and turn taken within the gardens is a treat for all the senses. I highly recommend this place to anyone in or visiting the area.

Beverly was a wonderful tour guide. Beautiful Gardens with kind customer service. Highly recommended

Don't bother going in the spring. They didn't bother telling us that there'd be no flowers just a bunch of dead looking branches and furs. It was still a decent hike. It's prob a 5 star place in bloom! Just avoid wasting the $14 entry fee in March and waste money on something else. A warning would've been nice.

Beautiful gardens, I've been here twice - both in the later summer and fall - I have heard the gardens are even more beautiful in the spring and summer. Attended a fabulous fall orchid show here, lots of great events here. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, great gift shop, a fun place with something for everyone.

Beautiful, I love coming here at least once per week to stroll, picnic and/or hike the hills behind the maintained grounds!

More than a concert venue! I've bought a membership many different years so that I could buy concert tickets, but I'm a little embarrassed to say I JUST made my first visit to the gardens! Bring water or buy a couple in the gift shop (you get a discount in the gift shop w/membership). You can fill or refill water bottles near the gift shop. Wear a hat! We went at 6pm on a day that had some nice cloud cover. We walked through the medicinal garden, the herb garden, the rose garden, water garden, children's garden... if you follow the map and plan your route it's very wheelchair accessible. There are plenty of places to sit and read in the shade. I saw a few people who had brought a picnic. We had a great time. It was quiet and peaceful and the gardens were beautiful. I'm looking forward to visiting during every season to see what's blooming at Red Butte.

Beautiful place to visit! So many flowers and different plants. It was a great place to walk around and enjoy the beauty. There was even a children's garden in the middle with some small water features to play in.