Gilgal Sculpture Garden

Activity Overview

The Gilgal Sculpture Garden is a one-of-a-kind art attraction in Salt Lake City, Utah. It features 12 sculptures and over 70 stones engraved with poems, scriptures, and other writings related to the Mormon religion. Starting in the late 1940s, local resident Thomas Child decided to create a sculpture garden and name it Gilgal after a location in the Bible. Since he was not a trained artist, many of his sculptures are unique and unconventional, such as a shrine to his wife and a sphinx with the face of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. If you're not a member of the Mormon religion, it is still a fascinating site for a brief visit due to its unique artwork.

Things to Do

• Walk along the garden path in order to see the many unique carved stones and sculptures.
• View the three stone eagles which were salvaged from a local railway station, which are meant to symbolize the artist's patriotism.
• Visit The Sphinx, the most famous sculpture in the garden, which resembles the famous Egyptian monument but instead features the face of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism.

Gilgal Sculpture Garden Insider Tips

• Feel free to bring your dog along when you visit the garden as long as you keep it on a leash at all times.
• Admission is free, but donations are appreciated in order to help maintain the site.
• Don't miss the impressive birdhouse located within the garden - perhaps it will even inspire you to build your own!
• If you're interested in learning more about the sculptures, there are audio descriptions available on the garden's website.