Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Twisty helictites growing off a stalactite
Timpanogos Cave is filled with twisting helictites and other beautiful formations
Visitors gaze at delicate cave formations in Timpanogos Cave's Chimes Chamber
Timpanogos Cave's beautiful Chimes Chamber is filled with delicate cave formations
Two cavers look at large formations in Hansen Cave
Cavers on the Introduction to Caving Tour admire magnificent formations.
Utah Valley beyond the steep cliffs and fir trees of American Fork Canyon
The scenic view from the trail to the caves is one people often remember.
Narrow hiking trail with steep drop offs and red and yellow stripes down the center.
The hiking path to the cave is narrow, steep, and with steep drop offs on one side.
Ranger ducking and twisting to fit through a narrow cave passage.
People visiting the cave must be prepared to duck, twist, turn, and watch their heads while on the tour.
Photos: National Park Service

About Timpanogos Cave National Monument

The visitor center, caves, and cave tours have not yet opened for the 2026 season. Hike your way past stunning vistas to explore a hidden underground world. Taste the thrill of caving as you twist and bend to enter beautifully decorated rooms. Learn the science behind formations and hear stories of cave exploration and preservation. Experience and discover as you go – geologic mysteries await

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Monument
Park State / Territory MembershipUtah
Current Alerts3
Visitor Centers1
Campgrounds0
Things To Do3

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

Although inside the caves its always 43-48 F, temperatures on the cave trail can range from the 30s up to above 100 degrees F, depending on time of year. Carrying drinking water is a necessity, especially in summer. In the mountains, weather sometimes presents interesting challenges. The cave and cave…

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: Utah. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Entrance Fees

Timed Entry Reservation - Location$12.00

Open seasonally depending on weather. Caves cannot be accessed without a ticket. Tickets are between $2.00 and $12.00 depending on age and are 50% off for the passholder only with a Senior or Access Pass. This tour spends 55 minutes inside of the cave system with a ranger walking along a 1/3 mile trail. There are multiple stairs and places you must bend and twist. Visitors on this tour will see Hansen Cave, Middle Cave, and Timpanogos Cave.

Timed Entry Reservation - Location$17.00

Open seasonally depending on weather. Caves cannot be accessed without a ticket. Spend an hour inside the Timpanogos Cave System with a ranger on a lantern guided tour. Discover what early explorers experienced as they traveled through the dark passages of the cave. Hear stories of early exploration and marvel at the cave’s geology by the glow of your lantern and experience the caves in a way that hasn't been done in decades. This tour is limited to those 7 years of age and older.

Timed Entry Reservation - Location$22.00

Open seasonally depending on weather. Caves cannot be accessed without a ticket. With a helmet and headlamp you are ready to experience Hansen Cave in its natural state. With a ranger, you'll scramble and sometimes even crawl on the trail leading to Hansen Cave Lake, along the same route Martin Hansen conducted tours in the late 1800s. The tour is considered strenuous. Must be 14 years of age or older to participate.

Operating Hours

The Visitor Center is currently open for the season.

Friday7:00AM - 5:30PM
Monday7:00AM - 5:30PM
Saturday7:00AM - 5:30PM
Sunday7:00AM - 5:30PM
Thursday7:00AM - 5:30PM
Tuesday7:00AM - 5:30PM
Wednesday7:00AM - 5:30PM

Activities

CavingGuided ToursHikingJunior Ranger Program

Current Alerts

Water Outage

Visitor Center Water Outage! Due to a break in the water line, water is currently unavailable at the Visitor Center, including bathrooms and drinking fountains. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while repairs are underway. We’ll provide an update when water service has been restored. Please plan accordingly if you are visiting the area. We recommend bringing 32oz of water per person for a cave visit.

WNP Bookstore is Cashless

The Western National Parks (WNP) bookstore has moved to a cashless operation at Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Purchases can be made with credit and debit cards as well as contactless payment methods including Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Tickets are required to enter Timpanogos Cave

Reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations are the only way to ensure a spot is available for your party. Please plan accordingly by visiting Recreation.gov to secure your tickets in advance. Availability of walk-up tickets is not guaranteed.

Getting There

From I-15: Take Exit 284 (Alpine-Highland exit), turn east on State Highway 92 and proceed ten miles (16km) to the monument. UT 40 or U.S. 189: Travel UT 189 through Provo Canyon, west on Orem 800 North (UT 52). After 2.4 miles turn right on State Street UT- 89. After 3.8 miles, turn onto Pleasant Grove 100 East (UT 146). Stay on this road for almost five miles, as it turns in Canyon Road and takes you to the mouth of American Fork Canyon. Turn right up American Fork Canyon to visitor center.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed Address2038 W. Alpine Loop Road, American Fork, UT, 84003

Topics & Themes

Explorers and ExpeditionsIndustryLogging and Timber CuttingNative American HeritageAnimalsCaves, Caverns and KarstForests and WoodlandsFossils and PaleontologyGeology

Things To Do

Cave Tour

Cave Tour

Join a ranger for a 55-minute cave tour through the Timpanogos Cave system. Enjoy the cool, damp, air, marvel at…

Walk the Canyon Nature Trail

Walk the Canyon Nature Trail

Take a walk along the American Fork river on the north side of the canyon. This side of the canyon…

Hike the Cave Trail

Hike the Cave Trail

The Timpanogos Cave Trail is 1.5 miles each way and gains 1,100 vertical feet. Hike past thousands of years of…

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…

Nearby National Park Service Sites

These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.