Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Timpanogos Cave National Monument is located in the Wasatch Range near American Fork Canyon in Utah. The monument consists of three limestone caves known as Hansen Cave, Middle Cave, and Timpanogos Cave.

The historical background of Timpanogos Cave National Monument dates back to the late 19th century, when the caves were first discovered in 1887 by Martin Hansen. Recognizing their uniqueness and beauty, Hansen decided to develop the caves as a tourist attraction. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established Timpanogos Cave National Monument to preserve and protect the cave system.

Today, visitors to Timpanogos Cave National Monument can explore the caves through guided tours. The tours take approximately 1.5 hours and lead visitors through narrow passageways, magnificent rock formations, and stunning cave features like helictites, stalactites, and stalagmites. It's recommended to make reservations for the tours, as they can be quite popular during peak seasons.

Apart from the caves, the monument offers various hiking trails, making it an excellent spot for outdoor enthusiasts. The Timpanogos Cave Trail is a challenging 1.5-mile hike that rewards visitors with dazzling views of American Fork Canyon. For a longer and more strenuous hike, the nearby Mount Timpanogos Trail takes hikers to the summit of Mount Timpanogos, standing at an impressive 11,749 feet.

In addition to the monument itself, there are several attractions nearby that visitors can enjoy. American Fork Canyon, where the monument is located, provides opportunities for camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking. The Alpine Loop Scenic Byway is a popular route that offers breathtaking views of mountains, meadows, and forests. The nearby cities of Provo and Salt Lake City also offer a wide range of amenities and activities for visitors to enjoy.

Overall, Timpanogos Cave National Monument is a unique and beautiful site that offers visitors the chance to explore stunning limestone caves and enjoy spectacular outdoor recreation opportunities in the scenic surroundings of the Wasatch Range.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument is nestled within a picturesque region of the state of Utah. Located roughly 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, the monument lies within the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. It occupies a prominent spot on the eastern side of American Fork Canyon, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Situated at an elevation of around 6,730 feet above sea level, the monument boasts stunning views of towering peaks, deep canyons, and lush greenery. Its location within this mountainous region not only offers visitors a serene escape but also provides the ideal conditions for the creation and preservation of the magnificent limestone caves that exist within the monument.

Address & Contact

2038 W. Alpine Loop Road
American Fork, UT 84003
Driving Directions
Phone: (801)756-5239
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Timpanogos Cave National Monument would be between June and September. During this period, the average maximum temperatures range from 83°F to 90°F, providing pleasant weather for outdoor activities. The average minimum temperatures range from 52°F to 59°F, allowing for comfortable evenings as well. Additionally, the average monthly precipitation during these months is relatively low, ranging from 0.7 inches to 1.6 inches. Thus, visitors can enjoy the caves and the surrounding natural beauty without worrying about excessive rainfall.

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Timpanogos Cave National Monument are: Guided Tours Junior Ranger Program Hiking Caving

Topics

Learn about these topics at Timpanogos Cave National Monument: Animals Caves, Caverns and Karst Geology Industry Logging and Timber Cutting Native American Heritage Fossils and Paleontology Explorers and Expeditions Forests and Woodlands

Visitor Centers

Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center

The Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center is located in American Fork Canyon on UT-92. It sits at the base of the cave trail that leads to Timpanogos Cave. The visitor center is generally closed when the cave tours are closed. See https://www.nps.gov/tica for the most up-to-date information.

Passport Stamp locations

The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center.

Campsites within or near Timpanogos Cave National Monument

This park doesn't have any campsites within its boundaries (or we haven't found them yet)).

Hotels within or near Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Sundance Mountain Resort

Located in Sundance, Sundance Mountain Resort is in the mountains, a 1-minute drive from Wasatch-Cache National Forest and 6 minutes from Provo River. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 8841 N. Alpine Loop Road, Sundance, Utah 84604
Web: Link

Motel 6 Lehi, UT - Salt Lake City South

Located in Lehi, Motel 6 Lehi, UT - Salt Lake City South is a 2-minute drive from John Hutchings Museum Of Natural History and 6 minutes from Mountain Point Medical Center. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, and an elevator. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 210 S 1200 E, Lehi, Utah 84043
Web: Link

Hyatt Place Salt Lake City/Lehi

Located in Lehi, Hyatt Place Salt Lake City/Lehi is connected to a shopping center, a 2-minute walk from Outlets at Traverse Mountain and within a 5-minute drive of Mountain Point Medical Center. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Planning an event in Lehi? This hotel has facilities measuring 2200 square feet (204 square meters), including a conference center.
Address: 3700 North Outlet Parkway, Lehi, Utah 84043
Web: Link

Cottage on the Stream

Located in Sundance, this vacation home is on a river, a 1-minute drive from Wasatch-Cache National Forest and 7 minutes from Provo River. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 3349 Old Bridge Road, Sundance, Utah 84604
Web: Link

Treehouse by the Stream

Located in Sundance, this cabin is a 1-minute drive from Wasatch-Cache National Forest and 7 minutes from Provo River. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 3033 Old Bridge Road, Sundance, Utah 84604
Web: Link

Log Cabin on the Stream

Located in Sundance, this cabin is a 1-minute drive from Wasatch-Cache National Forest and 7 minutes from Provo River. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 3049 Old Bridge Road, Sundance, Utah 84604
Web: Link

Hideaway Above The Stream

Located in Sundance, this cabin is in the mountains, a 1-minute drive from Wasatch-Cache National Forest and 6 minutes from Provo River. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 8982 Timphaven Road, Sundance, Utah 84604
Web: Link

#54: Alta View

With a stay at this vacation home in Sandy, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Dimple Dell Nature Park and Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1644 Jordan Point Drive, Sandy, Utah 84092
Web: Link

#10: Wasatch Retreat

Located in Draper, this vacation home is on a lake, within a 10-minute drive of Cowabunga Bay Water Park and Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 2331 Bear Hill Drive South, Draper, Utah 84020
Web: Link

TRU by Hilton Lehi, UT

Located in Lehi, TRU by Hilton Lehi, UT is within a 5-minute drive of Mountain Point Medical Center and Thanksgiving Point. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1776 Ashton blvd, Lehi, Utah 84043
Web: Link