When Does Thanksgiving Point Gardens Open

April 7, 2021

Ashton Gardens At Thanksgiving Point | Everything You Need To Know For Your Photo Session

Wildflowers in Utah are beautiful! But, they have a mind of their own and come and go very quickly. Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point provides acres of beautiful flowers that you can count on to look beautiful from April to August. From the tulip festival in April to exquisite rose blossoms in July and almost every other flower you can imagine in between you can't go wrong with this beautiful location!!

When Are The Gardens Open

Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point are open from March 27th until September. Their operating hours are from 9 am until 8 pm every Monday-Saturday. Check the calendar on their website (link site) for special events and closures.

When Is The Best Time To Visit

One of the most popular times to visit Ashton Gardens is during their famous Tulip Festival! The Tulip Festival runs from April 9th through May 8th. If you are wanting photos during this time, I would definitely suggest booking a photo session on a weeknight. If you aren't going to the gardens specifically to take photos, but want a more quiet and relaxed experience, then visit in the morning!

The other most popular time to visit is when the Rose Gardens are in full bloom! These roses are typically at their brightest and finest right around July. Be careful though, roses have thorns (I've learned this one the hard way a few too many times).

How Much Does It Cost?

Ashton Gardens updated their photography permits and fees in 2020, which means that they now require a $50 photo pass and the cost of admission for each guest. So for the photographer + bride + groom the total comes to $110.00. Upon arrival at the gardens, you can get this photography permit by filling out a form with basic information. They will then give you a special badge which you'll need to wear the entire time you're at the gardens. The front desk will also ask for a pair of keys to keep so you don't forget to bring the badge back.

Adult Admission: $20

Youth Admission (ages 13-24) $17

Child Admission (ages 3-12) $15

Seniors (ages 65+) $17

*In August, Tuesdays are only $2 which is a great deal. But keep in mind, this deal attracts a lot of people so it can be tricky to get photos without people all over in the background.

Other Things To Consider:

Ashton Gardens is located 5-10 minutes by car from Thanksgiving Point. Make sure you put Ashton Gardens into your GPS, not Thanksgiving Point.
Ashton Gardens is very large so I HIGHLY recommend renting a golf cart to get around the gardens. To rent a golf cart you can reserve a golf cart ahead of time online and the fee is $60 for 2 hours. The time starts when the cart is picked up. You can also reserve a golf cart when you arrive and it is $35 for one hour and $45 for two hours, walk-up availability is not guaranteed.
There is a small garden area at Thanksgiving Point which does not have an admission fee but does still require the $50 photographer permit IF there is not an event. Call prior to find out. This location is also open until dusk (Ashton Gardens closes at 8 pm and in the summer, sunset isn't until 9-9:30 pm). You can get the photography permit at the front desk and you must get there before they close at 6 pm. Call to verify.

Other Spring + Summer Flower Locations

If you are looking for epic wildflower photo locations around Utah or just want to visit all of the pretty flowers (who wouldn't), you can find the details about all of our favorite flower spots in Utah here!

We would LOVE to photograph your couples or family session here or another epic location! Please contact us to book your session; spots fill up fast. To view more of our work, follow us on Instagram!