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NatureParks & Gardens

A Visit To Red Butte Garden In Utah Is A Magical Wintertime Experience

Red Butte Garden in Utah transforms into a magical winter wonderland with scenic views and colorful foliage.

Updated Jan 22, 2024

Written by 

Catherine Armstrong

We love the winter in Utah. And while there are numerous winter day trip destinations we could suggest, Red Butte Garden is a wonderful place to visit for scenic views and fresh air. It's beautiful year-round, but it turns into a winter wonderland when it's covered in a blanket of snow. Check it out:

You'll find Red Butte Garden nestled in the foothills above the University of Utah campus.

A snowy landscape with trees and a clear blue sky, overlooking a valley and distant mountains.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook

The garden got its start back in 1985, and it's the largest of its kind in the entire Intermountain West!

The garden covers 100 acres, with more than 21 acres of developed gardens to explore ...

A snowy garden scene featuring a trellis covered in snow, surrounded by trees and benches under a clear blue sky.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook

... and when it's covered in snow, it's downright magical!

A winter scene with heavy snow covering trees and a table set with chairs, creating a serene, white landscape.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook

Bundle up so you can take your time and stroll through the different gardens. The Water Pavilion Garden is beautiful when the pond freezes over.

A wooden pavilion on a frozen pond, surrounded by snow-covered trees and shrubs under a gray sky.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook

The paths are shoveled, but it's a good idea to wear a pair of warm winter boots to keep your feet warm. Proper footwear also provides you with plenty of traction as you make your way through this winter wonderland.

A snow-covered path leads through an archway of bare trees, with a mountain in the background under a clear blue sky.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook

On a clear day, you'll be treated to scenic vistas of the Salt Lake Valley below.

Snow-covered landscape featuring yucca plants, with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook

Even if the skies are cloudy and the valley views aren't as visible, the views of the gardens can't be beat.

A snowy landscape with trees and a cloudy sky, showcasing a serene winter scene.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook

Though you obviously won't see tons of blooming flowers, the foliage at Red Butte Garden is always changing, and many of the plants are colorful even during the winter months. Make sure to bring your camera to capture their beauty.

Red berries covered in snow on branches, with evergreen trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook

Red Butte Garden is typically open seven days a week throughout the entire year. There is a small fee to enter the garden unless you purchase a membership. There is half-price admission in December, January, and February each year.

A modern building surrounded by snow-covered trees under a clear blue sky.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook

But no matter when you visit, plan to be impressed. It's a beautiful day trip destination in Utah. See for yourself.

Have you visited Red Butte Garden in Utah? Did you visit in the winter? We'd love to hear about your experiences and see your photos in the comments!

Learn more about the garden and check out volunteer opportunities on the Red Butte Garden website. You'll also want to follow Red Butte Garden's Facebook page to see what's growing there this week.

If this is your first winter in Utah, you are in for a treat. Check out our article, offering a few tips to help you survive your first winter in Utah.

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