The Natural History Museum of Utah is a scientific and cultural institution located at the Rio Tinto Center in Salt Lake City. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was last updated in March 2026 to reflect the current entry protocol, hours and prices.
Quick facts about the Natural History Museum of Utah
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Thu–Tue 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wed 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Ticket prices | Adults $24.95, Seniors (65+) & Young Adults (13–24) $22.95, Children (3–12) $20.95 |
| Address | Rio Tinto Center, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | UTA bus routes 228 and 455; free on-site car park |
| Typical time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
Natural History Museum of Utah opening hours
The Natural History Museum of Utah is open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended late opening until 9:00 PM on Wednesdays.
Natural History Museum of Utah ticket prices
General admission tickets cost $24.95 for adults, $22.95 for seniors aged 65 and over and young adults aged 13 to 24, and $20.95 for children aged 3 to 12. Children aged two and under, as well as University of Utah students and staff, enter for free.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
The museum is included in the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass scheme, alongside other paid attractions such as Clark Planetarium, Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum, and Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
How to get to the Natural History Museum of Utah
The museum is located in the Research Park area at the University of Utah, reachable via the UTA bus route 228 from downtown Salt Lake City or route 455 from the main university campus. Passengers disembark near the research park and walk the remaining distance to the museum entrance.
Drivers should travel east on Foothill Drive and turn onto Wakara Way, continuing uphill until the road ends directly at the museum.
Parking at the Natural History Museum of Utah
The museum provides two levels of free surface parking adjacent to the building for all visitors. The walk from the car park to the main entrance involves an uphill path featuring footpaths, stairways, and ramps.
Drivers may drop passengers off at the designated turnaround area on the north side of the building before parking their vehicles.
How long to spend at the Natural History Museum of Utah
Most visitors spend between two and three hours viewing the permanent exhibition galleries.
Visitors wishing to read the detailed scientific displays, participate in interactive stations, or use the on-site café typically require up to three and a half hours.
Accessibility at the Natural History Museum of Utah
All museum entrances and gallery levels are fully accessible to wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs via lifts. Complimentary wheelchairs and sensory backpacks for neurodiverse or low-vision guests are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis from the ticket desk.
Accessible parking spaces are located in the main car park, and a passenger drop-off zone is situated in the northern turnaround. The museum permits trained service animals and offers free admission for personal care assistants accompanying a guest with a disability.
Inside / what to see at the Natural History Museum of Utah
The museum explores the natural landscapes, paleontology, and indigenous cultures of the region across five floors of exhibits. The galleries are designed to be explored from the top floor downwards, beginning with the Native Voices exhibit, which details the traditions of Utah’s eight federally recognised tribes.
The Life exhibition illustrates the biological diversity of Utah’s ecosystems, while the Land exhibition explains the geological forces that shaped the Rocky Mountains, Basin and Range, and Colorado Plateau.
The Past Worlds gallery features dozens of reconstructed dinosaur skeletons and real fossils displayed on an elevated ramp system.
The lower floors include a paleontology prep lab where visitors can watch scientists working on real fossils, alongside a Gemstone and Minerals exhibit showcasing local and global specimens.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Advice |
| Timing | Arrive after 1:30 PM on Monday through Thursday, or visit on Wednesday evenings, for the quietest periods in the galleries. |
| Crowds | Purchase advance timed tickets online to expedite entry and bypass the admission desk queues upon arrival. |
| Layout | Take the lift to the fifth-floor Rooftop Terrace first and gradually walk down the ramps through the exhibitions. |
| Entry process | Keep personal items to a minimum, as the museum’s coat room is currently closed and all belongings must be carried. |
| On-site logistics | Bring a refillable water bottle to use at the drinking fountains and step outside onto the adjacent Bonneville Shoreline Trail after your visit. |
Frequently asked questions about the Natural History Museum of Utah
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Natural History Museum of Utah suitable for children? | Yes, children are welcome and those aged two and under receive free admission. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Natural History Museum of Utah? | Advance tickets are strongly encouraged to expedite entry, but walk-up tickets are available at the desk. |
| Is the Natural History Museum of Utah open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. |
| Are bags allowed at the Natural History Museum of Utah? | Standard bags and backpacks are permitted, but there is no cloakroom available to store them during your visit. |
Things to do near the Natural History Museum of Utah
The museum’s location at the University of Utah places it close to several other paid Salt Lake City attractions:
- Red Butte Garden: A botanical garden located directly adjacent to the museum, offering extensive walking trails and plant collections.
- Utah Museum of Fine Arts: An art museum located nearby on the university campus, featuring global and regional art collections.
- This Is The Place Heritage Park: A historical park located a short drive away, featuring reconstructed 19th-century buildings and monuments.
More Utah travel
Other Utah travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- First time visitor’s guide to Dead Horse Point State Park.
- How to see Delicate Arch.
- Tracing Utah’s Mormon Heritage at This Is The Place and Temple Square.
- Antelope Island – the wildlife refuge of the Great Salt Lake.
- A practical guide to visiting Monument Valley.
