Temple Square Reopened to Public After Long Closure
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has removed barricades from the historic Salt Lake City site.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reopened Temple Square to the public following a nearly 7-year closure for extensive renovations. Pedestrian access has been restored to the site in anticipation of upcoming events.
Why it matters
The reopening marks a significant milestone in a massive project that included a seismic retrofit and interior restorations for the 134-year-old landmark. The site is now prepared for its upcoming role in the church's general conference.
The 134-year-old Salt Lake Temple underwent a multi-year renovation involving seismic retrofitting and system updates. Demand for access remains high, with 1 million tour reservations secured within 24 hours of availability.
The players
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
This is a global religious organization headquartered in Salt Lake City that owns and maintains Temple Square.
The details
Church officials removed physical barricades surrounding the property to allow visitors to walk the grounds once again. The project concludes years of work on the temple's structural integrity and historic interiors.
Timeline
The public has not been allowed inside the temple since 1893.
Temple Square remained closed to the public for nearly 7 years.
Barricades were removed in September 2026.
A new batch of tour reservations will become available on October 1, 2026.
A six-month-long open house for the temple begins on April 5, 2027.
Culture Shift
The upcoming 2027 open house marks the first time the public can see inside the structure since the 1893 dedication of the Salt Lake Temple. This event highlights a long-term transition from a closed-construction phase to a renewed era of public engagement with the historic site.
Residents and visitors can now access the pedestrian areas of Temple Square freely after years of restricted entry. Individuals interested in touring the temple interiors must navigate the high demand for reservations to secure a spot for the 2027 open house period.
The takeaway
The restoration efforts underscore the church's commitment to preserving the structural integrity of its oldest historic sites for future generations. Visitors are encouraged to monitor upcoming reservation windows closely as demand for the 2027 open house remains exceptionally high.
What happens next
Additional tour reservations for the site will become available to the public on October 1, 2026, followed by a six-month-long open house beginning on April 5, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the history and development of this site in our Latter-Day Saints section.
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