This Is the Place Heritage Park is a Utah State Park in Salt Lake City, about 35.3 miles from Royal Inn Provo, a hotel in Provo. Its monuments, historic village and hands-on activities make it a substantial Provo day trip; plan at least a few hours for the village.
- Location: 2601 E. Sunnyside Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.
- Scale: 450 acres, with more than 60 original or replica structures in the village.
- Time to allow: A few hours for Heritage Village, or potentially an entire day for the park.
- Admission basics: The state park grounds are free to enter; experience passes cover Heritage Village and include free parking.
What to expect at the heritage park
This Is the Place Heritage Park brings together pioneer history, monuments and a recreated village in a large outdoor setting.
The park commemorates the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Great Salt Lake Valley. The National Park Service says Brigham Young first surveyed the valley from this vicinity in July 1847. The This Is the Place Monument was dedicated in 1947, created by sculptor Mahonri Young for Utah’s pioneer centenary.
Alongside that monument, the grounds include the National Pony Express Monument, a replica Pony Express station and the Pioneer Children’s Memorial. Heritage Village has more than 50 historic shops, homes and buildings, with costumed interpreters, live demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Choose sites and activities for your visit
Heritage Village is the main place to spend several hours, with demonstrations and activities that bring historic trades and daily life into view.
Utah State Parks lists trains, farm animals, pony rides and gold panning among the experiences. You can also look for Native American Village activities and pioneer-trade demonstrations.
Since the park recommends allowing at least a few hours for the village—and says a visit may take a few hours or an entire day—choose activities as you go rather than trying to cover everything at once.
For a shorter visit, focus on the monuments and park grounds; for a longer outing, leave time for the village and its activities. The grounds and experiences have different admission arrangements, so check which pass fits your plans.
Check tickets, hours, and seasonal operations
The park grounds are free to enter, while Heritage Village experiences require a pass or ticket.
The park's experience passes include Heritage Village access and free parking, and the park also offers a train-only ticket. Free parking is available on site. Admission prices and experience hours vary with the park’s seasonal operations, so check the official site before you go.
Winter train rides operate on select days from November 1 through March 27, weather permitting. Seasonal programming can affect what is operating on the day of your visit, so check the park’s current visitor information when planning.
Plan the drive from Provo
The park is at 2601 E. Sunnyside Avenue in Salt Lake City, and its published driving directions approach from the city’s 800 South.
From 800 South, head east; the road becomes Sunnyside Avenue, and the park entrance is on the left across the street from Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Use the address to plan your route from Provo, and allow enough time for the village if you want to include its demonstrations and activities.
If you’re adding time in town to the trip, a one-day Provo itinerary around BYU and downtown can help shape that part of your plans.
FAQs
How much time should you allow at This Is the Place Heritage Park?
Allow at least a few hours to explore Heritage Village. The park says a visit can take a few hours or an entire day.
Do you have to pay to enter the park?
There is no fee to enter the Utah State Park grounds. Experience passes cover Heritage Village access, and free parking is available on site.
Are winter train rides available every day?
No. Winter train rides operate on select days from November 1 through March 27, weather permitting.