Red Butte Garden and Arboretum

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

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Red Butte Garden and Arboretum in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a 150-acre botanical garden operated by the University of Utah. Its origins trace back to 1930 with Dr. Walter P. Cottam, who began planting native species on the university campus, leading to its official designation as the State Arboretum in 1961.

The public garden formally opened in 1985 at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon and has since grown to include over 21 acres of developed gardens and natural areas, plus more than five miles of hiking trails. The garden showcases diverse collections such as the Fragrance Garden, Medicinal Garden, Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, and the Orangerie conservatory. It focuses on conservation, education, and horticultural research, drawing over 250,000 visitors annually.

The site combines cultivated garden spaces with native plant communities and natural canyon landscapes, offering opportunities for family programs, special events, and outdoor concerts.