Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City (must see)

Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, nestled in Salt Lake City's Wasatch Range foothills, is a vibrant mix of botanical beauty, cultural heritage, and environmental education. Managed by the University of Utah, this expansive garden encompasses over 100 acres, including an impressive 21 acres of themed display gardens and several miles of trails winding through the natural landscape. A visit to Red Butte is both a horticultural journey and a scenic escape, open to the public year-round.

The garden’s story began in 1930 with Dr. Walter P. Cottam, a pioneering botanist and co-founder of The Nature Conservancy. Cottam, then chair of the University of Utah's Botany Department, began testing plant adaptability on campus grounds, which ultimately led to the designation of the area as Utah’s State Arboretum in 1961. The garden’s mission extended beyond botany to public education, environmental conservation, and practical horticulture, thanks to figures like Richard Hildreth, who in the early 1980s spearheaded efforts to establish the 150-acre Red Butte Garden.

When it formally opened in 1985, Red Butte Garden quickly grew into a beloved community destination. The addition of facilities like the Walter P. Cottam Visitor Center, funded by the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, along with themed gardens such as the Medicinal, Herb, Fragrance, and Hemingway Four Seasons Gardens, enriched the visitor experience. The garden’s amphitheater, Children’s Garden, and miles of hiking trails provide unique opportunities to explore Utah’s natural beauty and horticultural diversity.

Today, Red Butte Garden attracts 200,000 visitors annually and boasts a strong membership base of over 10,000, with more than 300 dedicated volunteers. It continues to be a dynamic place for plant lovers, families, and all who seek to connect with nature and learn about sustainable gardening in the heart of Utah’s landscape.