Fort Douglas Military Museum
Established in 1862 as a military outpost to protect the overland mail route and telegraph lines along the Central Overland Trail, Fort Douglas is now a military museum. Featuring war memorabilia, historic photos, and maps, the museum tells the stories of Utah veterans and the history of military presence in the Utah territory.
The Basics
Visitors won’t want to miss the impressive collection of helicopters, armored vehicles, tanks, and cannons in the outdoor exhibits. Inside, displays include artifact cases, uniforms, and weapons used in American wars from the Civil War through Desert Storm. Docent-led tours of the museum are available if scheduled in advance. Other sights related to military history include the Utah Women’s Service Memorial and the Fort Douglas Cemetery.
Things to Know Before You Go
This museum is a must-see for Civil War buffs and war memorabilia fans.
Admission to the museum is free.
Tours are also free but must be scheduled a week in advance.
How to Get There
The Fort Douglas Military Museum is located in Historic Fort Douglas on the upper University of Utah campus. The museum is easily accessed via the Fort Douglas stop on the University (Red) line TRAX. Free and paid parking is also available adjacent the museum.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The Military Museum at Fort Douglas is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 5pm. It’s not as popular as the nearby Natural History Museum of Utah or the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, so you’ll rarely find the Military Museum crowded. Visit during the annual Fort Douglas Post Cemetery Tour and hear fascinating stories of war heroes now resting in the old Fort Douglas Cemetery.
Other Utah Military Attractions
The Hill Aerospace Museum is located on the Hill Air Force Base, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Ogden. The museum showcases an extensive collection of military aircraft, rockets, and missiles, plus hundreds of other military artifacts. Another interesting sight is the rocket garden outside the ATK-Thiokol corporation in Promontory, Utah. The garden displays a variety of space and military ballistics, including the booster for a space shuttle.
- Red Butte Garden
- Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA)
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- This is the Place Heritage Park
- Utah's Hogle Zoo
- Tracy Aviary
- Liberty Park
- Leonardo Museum
- Utah State Capitol
- Salt Lake Tabernacle
- Joseph Smith Memorial Building
- Temple Square
- Latter-day Saints Family History Library
- Latter-day Saints Church History Museum
- Clark Planetarium