.jpg)
The EECO Stage AKA The Claw is a large metal structure located within the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium's EECO Plaza (AKA The Rio Tinto Kennecott Plaza). It is such a big structure that it can be seen from miles away. Since it is on the Aquarium's property, you do have to buy a ticket to get up close to it, but like I said it can be seen from miles, and you can also marvel at its grandiosity from the parking lot. I love larger than life things, and particularly things that can be seen from miles away. However I have learned that it is apparently controversial. People either love it, like I do, or they absolutely hate it and think it is an eye sore.
Quick Details:
Length: Depends on how close you want to get to it.
Trail Type: Get out and look.
Difficulty: DR2, get out and look. More if you explore the aquarium as well (which if you buy a ticket you might as well).
Elevation Gain: About 1 story.
Restroom: There are several in the aquarium (with ticket) otherwise you will need to find one.
Dogs? Allowed on sidewalks outside, but not inside the aquarium, or on some of the trails I mention (check each trail page for further details).
Other Info: Fee area. Starting at $17.95 for an adult.
To Get Here:
Take I15 to exit 291 for 12300 s. Go west to the first light and turn right on Lone Peak Parkway and it will be on the right very shortly.
12033 S Lone Peak Pkwy, Draper, UT 84020, USA
The Adventure:
This post will be mostly images from my most recent trips, a holiday section, and other random images from over the years.
From the Parking Lot (free)
So I will start with what you can see from the parking lot.
With the main entrance.
More of the main buildings..
At night with it all lit up.
Inside the Aquarium Grounds (Fee Area).
Images from a couple different days. So you may notice the weather shifting between some images.
It is 165 feet tall, and weighs 190 tons.
This was the stage for U2’s 360 Degree Tour from 2009 - 2011 where it traveled around the globe to 30 different countries. The aquarium acquired it in 2018.
Heading underneath. There is a ramp up to it.
It is now called the EECO Stage. They hold summer concerts here.
Underneath the stage is a neat VR experience called the EECO Voyager.
Under The Claw Oh, it is starting to light up. Hooray.
There are a bunch of little fun insets with various messages. Love being in the very center.
Looking up.
One of the legs.
The original main building.
The new Sam & Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center and Mountain America Event Center. This was completed and opened earlier this year. They moved the Expedition Asia habitat in here which gave the animals improved exhibits and gave room for new exhibits. I quite enjoyed it.
Under the claw again.
South Side.
Southwest.
One of the legs.
The west side.
Again.
Panoramic.
.jpg)
Another.
The main original building.
The new Skaggs Learning Center.
The entrance again.
I found this fun infographic on the website.
Lantern Fest:
They do a yearly holiday light exhibit in the EECO square called Lantern Festival. It really highlights the neat structure, and well, is a fun adventure during the holiday season.
From the parking lot, all lit up.
Inside the aquarium grounds.
Again.
And again. I love all of the colors it can produce!
With a fun octopus light.
It is a neat mega structure, and they really somehow made it fit into the aquarium.
It also compliments the Lantern Festival lights nicely.
So pretty.
Heading underneath.
Very Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind…
Then jumping to Independence Day (the movie). o.O
With the octopus again.
Colorful.
Seen from Miles Away: (free)
One of the things I like most about the thing is that is can be seen from various hiking trails above.
From the freeway. You used to be able to see it better before they built the new Skaggs Learning Center building.
Quick google maps image from 2022. From a similar angle.
From the Alien Tower Trail.
From Potato Hill.
From the Telegraph Footpath.
Its easier to spot in the dark, when it is lit up. From Lower Corner Canyon.
From the Sweet Caroline Trail.
You can even see all the way from Amphitheater Park in Sandy! That is about 4 miles away, as the crow flies.
Well, I think it is a neat mega-structure, and I always love me a good larger than life thing (might even make a new post about that). Plus, I am constantly referencing it so I figured it deserved it own post. 9 Squirrels.
As for difficulty, From the parking lot and inside the aquarium campus is flat paved and easy. DR2. Some of the above views require a bit of a hike and can bump it up to a DR3.
Dogs are allowed on city sidewalks, and some of the trails posted. But not in the aquarium So… it depends on what you do.
