Natural History Museum of Utah
4.8(7.6K)google
4.6(253)yelp
ScienceFossilsPrehistoricEducationalFamily
Overview
Housed in the architecturally stunning, copper-clad Rio Tinto Center resting gracefully along the foothills of the Wasatch Range, the Natural History Museum of Utah is a premier destination for science and paleontology lovers. The museum boasts an unparalleled collection of authentic dinosaur fossils unearthed directly from Utah's rich geological strata, including unique horned dinosaur skeletons and an impressive multi-story wall of real dinosaur skulls. Through highly interactive, beautifully designed galleries, visitors can explore the state's deep geological history, native ecosystems, and the rich cultural heritages of its ancient indigenous peoples.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeHighly recommended weekday mornings around 10:30 AM. Architecturally award-winning, this modern landmark features a sweeping copper-banded exterior shell blending into the foothills. Enter early to watch morning sun pierce through the soaring 60-foot central glass gallery canyon ('The Canyon') beautifully, casting dramatic angles across the multi-story wall of prehistoric dinosaur skulls without crowds.
Getting ThereLocated on the scenic mountain benches east of Salt Lake City at 301 Wakara Way, directly adjacent to the University of Utah research park. Driving a car is simplest: follow 400 South east from downtown, climb straight into the university hills, and proceed up Wakara Way to its dead end. The museum features an attached, tiered high-capacity free parking lot loops right at the lower ticketing pavilion.
Travel Tips
- Mandatory Digital Timed-Entry Booking: Positioned along the foothills, this science center enforces hourly visitor caps. Weekend slots routinely sell out entirely online; do not drive up to the mountain ridge expecting walk-up sales counter tickets.
- Limited Free On-site Parking & Aggressive Towing Up Slope: The site’s complementary terraced parking tiers saturate completely by 10:30 AM. Do not park on the steep mountain approach road shoulders or inside red emergency vector lines; university police issue heavy tickets.
- Quarterly Free Wednesday Ticket Distributions: The facility features quarterly free admission Wednesdays for the community. Vouchers are strictly limited and drop via their online reservation server at midnight on designated release dates.
Reviews
Positive
- Built directly into the hillside with a striking copper facade, its architecture and valley overlooks live up to its reputation as a Utah masterpiece.
- The Past Worlds dinosaur fossil wall and Native American relics pack immense educational value with top-tier interactive multilingual media.
- Restrooms, nursing pods, accessible lifts, and wide lounge seating are flawless; professional staff place high priority on children's safety.
- Provides ample free outdoor parking, and a public bus stop sits right at the entrance, delivering prominent transit convenience for a mountain museum.
Heads up
- Admission tickets are somewhat pricey for large families or budget backpackers; extra spending inside the unique gift shop carries a high markup.
- Weekday mornings bring massive school field trip buses; crowds of loud children turn the galleries chaotic, killing a quiet museum atmosphere.
- Though near the university, walking to the entrance from the nearest light rail station requires trudging up a steep hillside trail, draining stamina.
- The upper open-air canyon viewing terrace severely lacks shade umbrellas or shelters, making staying long under the blazing summer sun difficult.