National park · United States
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Go only if you can walk 1.5 mi uphill gaining 1,065 ft: buy the cave tour ticket at the visitor center first (2026 estimate $15–18 adult), start before 9:00 in Jun–Aug, and skip it entirely Nov–Apr when the cave and trail are closed.Go only if you can walk 1.5 mi uphill gaining 1,065 ft: buy the cave tour ticket at the visitor center first (2026 estimate $15–18 adult), start before 9:00 AM in Jun–Aug, and skip it entirely Nov–Apr when the cave and trail are closed.
Map to the park
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Area
1 km²0 sq mi
approximate
Established
1922
Best months
Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 1 km²0 sq mi
- 250 acres (about 1 km²) of canyon wall either side of the American Fork River; elevation runs from roughly 5,000 ft to 9,500 ft (check).
- Established
- 1922
- Best months
- Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Timpanogos Cave National Monument protects three connected caves — Hansen, Middle and Timpanogos — in the steep walls of American Fork Canyon, about 40 mi (64 km) southeast of Salt Lake City. The monument is small (250 acres) and the only way in is a paved 1.5 mi (2.4 km) trail that climbs 1,065 ft (325 m) to the entrance at 6,730 ft (2,051 m). Tours are ranger-led, capped at 20 people, and sell out on summer weekends. The cave stays near 45 °F (7 °C) year-round and is closed roughly six months a year under snow. This page covers the fee, the trail, the two tour options, the season and where to sleep nearby.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1922.
Size and age
1 km²0 sq mi · national park since 1922
250 acres (about 1 km²) of canyon wall either side of the American Fork River; elevation runs from roughly 5,000 ft to 9,500 ft (check).
Why go
- Helictites: hundreds of spiral formations 6–10 in long in Chimes Chamber, which seem to grow against gravity.
- Green and yellow flowstone coloured by nickel in the crystal structure — rare in show caves.
- A short, hard climb with canyon views, then a cool 45 °F cave in the middle of a hot Utah summer.
- Fault-controlled passages you can see running along the tour route.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanCave and trail closed; snow on the canyon road
- FebClosed; Alpine Scenic Loop shut
- MarClosed; opening depends on snow clearing (check)
- AprOften still closed; check opening date before driving
- MayOpens late May; cool trail, fewer people
- JunFull hours; start early, trail gets hot by noon
- JulTrail can hit 100 °F; tours sell out
- AugHottest and busiest; book ahead
- SepWarm days, thinner crowds after Labor Day
- OctShorter hours; last weeks before closure (check)
- NovClosed for winter
- DecClosed; canyon road icy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer and moose in the canyonMay–Oct · Dawn and dusk; keep distance. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Bighorn sheep and mountain goats on the high wallsJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Great Basin rattlesnakeMay–Sep · Stay on the paved trail. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| American dipper and broad-tailed hummingbird along the creekMay–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Bats using the caveJun–Aug · White-nose syndrome precautions may apply; follow ranger instructions. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Salt Lake City
I-15 south to Exit 284 (Alpine–Highland), then east on UT-92 about 10 mi to the monument.
45–60 min
From Provo
US-189 up Provo Canyon, then UT-92 over the Alpine Scenic Loop; no vehicles over 30 ft on the loop.
40–55 min
From Heber City
US-40 to US-189, then UT-92 past Sundance and over the Alpine Scenic Loop.
50–70 min
From Salt Lake City airport
Rental car south on I-15, then Exit 284 and UT-92; no public transport to the monument.
1–1.25 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor center and parking | Ticket desk, exhibits, 22-minute film, gift shop, snack bar in summer, two car parks. | Open in season; closed in winter. |
| Cave trail | Paved 1.5 mi climb with 1,065 ft of gain to the cave entrance at 6,730 ft. | Open with a tour ticket for the cave itself; no strollers or pets. |
| Hansen, Middle and Timpanogos caves | The three cave sections joined by man-made tunnels; the tour route. | Ranger-led tours only. |
| Canyon Nature Trail | A 0.25 mi walk across the pedestrian bridge from the visitor center. | Open; easy. |
Sketch map
- 1Visitor center · Headquarters≈40.444, -111.706Tickets, exhibits, film, parking.Map ↗
- 2Cave entrance · Cave≈40.441, -111.709Top of the 1.5 mi trail at 6,730 ft.Map ↗
- 3Canyon Nature Trail · Trail≈40.444, -111.704Across the pedestrian bridge from the visitor center.Map ↗
- 4Alpine Scenic Loop (UT-92) · Gate≈40.430, -111.630Approximate; closed in winter, no vehicles over 30 ft.Map ↗
- 5American Fork · Town≈40.376, -111.796Approximate; nearest motels off I-15.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cave tour, adult (12 and older) | US$15–18 | person | 2026 estimate; rates have risen since the last published figures. Tickets sold at the visitor center only. |
| Cave tour, child (2–11) | US$8–10 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Cave tour, infant (0–1) | US$2–3 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Introduction to Caving tour | US$25–30 | person | 2026 estimate; age 14+, limited to five people. |
| Advance booking fee | US$0.5–1.5 | ticket | Non-refundable fee added to tickets bought ahead by phone (check current amount). |
| Hiking the cave trail | Free | person | No charge to walk the trail; the ticket is for the cave tour only. |
| American Fork Canyon access | US$0–6 | vehicle | A canyon pass may apply on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest road (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Cave tour ticket permit or guide
Introduction to Caving tour permit or guide
Fishing licence permit or guide
Park rules
- No food or drink in the cave
- Leave everything at the visitor center; the humid interior grows mould on dropped food.
- Do not touch formations
- Skin oils stop the growth of helictites and flowstone.
- No strollers or pets on the cave trail
- The trail is steep, narrow and exposed; pets stay in the car or at home.
- No tripods, walking sticks or large backpacks in the cave
- They damage formations and block the narrow passages.
- Under-16s must be with an adult
- Applies to all cave tours.
- Rockfall zones
- Do not stop in areas marked in red along the trail.
Where to stay
Near the park
American Fork and Highland
Chain motels 10–15 min from the monument on I-15; the closest beds.
Near the park
Provo
Full range of hotels, 40–55 min via Provo Canyon.
Near the park
Salt Lake City
Best choice for flights and city nights, 45–60 min away.
Near the park
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest campgrounds
Canyon and Alpine Loop campgrounds; the monument itself has no lodging.
Safety
Heat and exertion on the climb medium
Cold inside the cave low
Rockfall on the trail medium
Lightning and slick rock in afternoon storms medium
Rattlesnakes low
Accessibility
- The visitor center, exhibits and film are accessible.
- The cave trail is steep and not wheelchair accessible; there is no shuttle to the entrance.
- The Canyon Nature Trail across the bridge is short and mostly level.
- Ask at the ticket desk about access rates and any ranger assistance before booking.
Visiting lightly
- Buy the tour ticket rather than joining an unofficial 'cave' operator; only ranger tours enter the monument.
- Follow white-nose syndrome clothing and gear rules to protect the bat population.
- Carry out all rubbish and leave nothing at the cave entrance.
- Carpool up UT-92 — parking at the visitor center is limited and fills on summer mornings.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Timpanogos Cave National Monument?
Walking the cave trail is free. The ranger-led cave tour is the paid part: roughly $15–18 per adult, $8–10 per child aged 2–11 and $2–3 per infant in 2026 (estimate; rates have risen since the last published figures). The Introduction to Caving tour is about $25–30 and is for ages 14+. Tickets are sold at the visitor center or by phone up to 30 days ahead, with a small non-refundable booking fee, and are never sold at the cave entrance.
What are the best hikes in Timpanogos Cave National Monument?
There are only two real walks. The cave trail is the main one: 1.5 mi each way with 1,065 ft of climb to the entrance at 6,730 ft — paved but steep, exposed and not stroller- or pet-friendly. The Canyon Nature Trail is a flat quarter-mile loop across the pedestrian bridge from the visitor center. Everything else in the canyon is national forest land outside the monument.
When is the best time to visit Timpanogos Cave National Monument?
June and September are the best months: full opening hours, warm but manageable trail temperatures and smaller crowds than July–August. The cave and trail close for roughly six months over winter, usually from late October or November to late May, depending on snow clearing. In midsummer, start before 9:00 — the trail can reach 100 °F while the cave stays near 45 °F.
Do I need a reservation for the cave tour?
Not strictly, but tours are capped at 20 people and sell out on summer weekends and holidays. Reserve by phone up to 30 days in advance or arrive at the visitor center when it opens and buy for a later slot. You must have the ticket before you start hiking; there is no ticket sales point at the cave.
Can I visit the cave in winter?
No. The cave and the cave trail are closed for about six months a year under snow, and the visitor center is closed in winter too. The Alpine Scenic Loop section of UT-92 also closes in winter, so access from Provo Canyon is not possible then — come in via I-15 Exit 284.
Is the cave trail suitable for children or people with limited mobility?
Children manage it if they are used to walking uphill, but it is 1.5 mi of climbing with no shade and no water on the route. The trail is not wheelchair accessible and strollers are not allowed. The visitor center, film and the flat Canyon Nature Trail are accessible.
What should I bring?
Water (at least 1 L per person), a light jacket or sweater for the 45 °F cave, shoes with grip, and sunscreen for the exposed climb. Leave food, drinks, tripods, walking sticks and large backpacks behind — none are allowed inside the cave.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go