The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium sits in Draper, Utah, as one of the largest aquariums in the country, tracing its roots back to founder Brent Andersen’s 1997 vision of bringing marine life education to landlocked Utah. What began as a traveling “Aquavan” program for schools grew through small storefronts in Salt Lake City and Sandy before landing in its current purpose-built campus in March 2014.
Today the facility spans 136,000 square feet and holds roughly 600,000 gallons of water across exhibits that trace ecosystems from Utah’s own rivers to the rainforests of South America and the coastlines of Antarctica. Its centerpiece Ocean Explorer habitat includes a 300,000-gallon tank crossed by a 40-foot walk-through shark tunnel, giving visitors a close-up view of sharks, rays, and sea turtles swimming overhead.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Draper, Utah
- Opened: March 2014 (Draper campus); founded 1997
- Size: 136,000 square feet
- Water Volume: About 600,000 gallons
- Species/Animal Count: About 4,500 animals, 550 species
- Annual Visitors: Over 1 million
- Famous For: 40-foot walk-through shark tunnel
Exhibits and Habitats
The aquarium organizes its animal collection into themed journeys rather than a single continuous tank. Ocean Explorer showcases saltwater species including sharks and jellyfish beneath its signature tunnel, while Journey to South America recreates a rainforest environment home to anacondas, piranhas, and electric eels.
Other galleries include Antarctic Adventure, where gentoo and macaroni penguins live in a setting modeled on a Falkland Islands research station, Discover Utah’s look at native river otters and cutthroat trout, and Expedition: Asia’s collection of Southeast Asian species including Komodo dragons.
A Nonprofit Mission
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium operates as an AZA-accredited nonprofit with a stated mission to inspire people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Its named benefactor, the Loveland Foundation, provided the lead gift that funded the current Draper campus after years of Andersen’s aquarium operating out of smaller rented spaces.
Explore more: More Zoos & Aquariums.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium FAQs
Where is the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium located?
It’s located in Draper, Utah, part of the greater Salt Lake City area.
How many animals live at the aquarium?
The aquarium is home to roughly 4,500 animals representing about 550 species.
What is the aquarium’s most popular feature?
Its 300,000-gallon Ocean Explorer tank with a 40-foot walk-through shark tunnel is the aquarium’s signature attraction.
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Photo: cifraser1 / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.