Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: Utah
📘 Park Overview
The visitor center, caves, and cave tours are now open for the 2025 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
🌤 Weather Information
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 trail do not close due to rain, unless that rain is heavy enough to bring rockfall. They will close due to high winds/rockfall, or in lightning storms. Call the visitor center if you have specific concerns.
🚗 Directions
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.
Images
Timpanogos Cave is filled with twisting helictites and other beautiful formations
Credit: NPS/Ryan R Maurer
Timpanogos Cave's beautiful Chimes Chamber is filled with delicate cave formations
Credit: NPS/Ryan R. Maurer
Cavers on the Introduction to Caving Tour admire magnificent formations.
Credit: NPS/Ryan R. Maurer
The scenic view from the trail to the caves is one people often remember.
Credit: NPS
The trail to the cave leads the hiker past layer after layer of geologic time
Credit: NPS
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, Jun 5
Sunny
High: 96.1°F | Low: 59°F
Humidity: 16%
Wind: 7.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 10.5
Sunrise: 05:57 AM
Sunset: 08:53 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (64%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 61.3°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Jun 6
Sunny
High: 83.7°F | Low: 59.9°F
Humidity: 23%
Wind: 20.8 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 10.1
Sunrise: 05:57 AM
Sunset: 08:54 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (54%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 57.4°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Jun 7
Sunny
High: 73.3°F | Low: 54.6°F
Humidity: 34%
Wind: 15.7 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 0
Sunrise: 05:57 AM
Sunset: 08:54 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (43%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 50.4°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (3)
Fire Weather Watch issued June 4 at 10:10PM MDT until June 9 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Effective: Jun 5, 2026 12:10am
Expires: Jun 5, 2026 2:15pm
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 484 Tavaputs Plateau, Fire
Weather Zone 489 San Rafael Swell, Fire Weather Zone 492
Central Utah West Desert, Fire Weather Zone 493 Central Utah
Mountains, Fire Weather Zone 494 Henry Mountains, Fire Weather
Zone 495 Color Country West Desert, Fire Weather Zone 496
Color Country Mountains, Fire Weather Zone 497 Mojave Desert
and Fire Weather Zone 498 Grand Staircase.
* WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent with poor overnight
recovery.
* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any
new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.
Red Flag Warning issued June 5 at 12:11PM MDT until June 7 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Effective: Jun 5, 2026 2:11pm
Expires: Jun 5, 2026 10:15pm
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a Red
Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from 6 AM Saturday to 10 PM MDT Sunday.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 484 Tavaputs Plateau, Fire
Weather Zone 489 San Rafael Swell, Fire Weather Zone 492
Central Utah West Desert, Fire Weather Zone 493 Central Utah
Mountains, Fire Weather Zone 494 Henry Mountains, Fire Weather
Zone 495 Color Country West Desert, Fire Weather Zone 496
Color Country Mountains, Fire Weather Zone 497 Mojave Desert
and Fire Weather Zone 498 Grand Staircase.
* WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent with poor overnight
recovery.
* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any
new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.
Fire Weather Watch issued June 5 at 12:11PM MDT until June 10 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT
Effective: Jun 5, 2026 2:11pm
Expires: Jun 5, 2026 10:15pm
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a Red
Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from 6 AM Saturday to 10 PM MDT Sunday.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 484 Tavaputs Plateau, Fire
Weather Zone 489 San Rafael Swell, Fire Weather Zone 492
Central Utah West Desert, Fire Weather Zone 493 Central Utah
Mountains, Fire Weather Zone 494 Henry Mountains, Fire Weather
Zone 495 Color Country West Desert, Fire Weather Zone 496
Color Country Mountains, Fire Weather Zone 497 Mojave Desert
and Fire Weather Zone 498 Grand Staircase.
* WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent with poor overnight
recovery.
* IMPACTS...Critical fire weather conditions are expected. Any
new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Daily Cave Tours
Round trip, with hike time this tour is 3.5 hours. You are in the cave system for for 55-minutes and it walks through Hansen, Middle, and Timpanogos Caves. The caves are connected by two man made tunnels. This tour has
Please make sure to read all of the information on recreation.gov when you purchase tickets.
Location: Tours start at the visitor center at the time you've purchased your tickets.
Date: May 18, 2026 12:00am to May 18, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Lantern Cave Tours
Step back in time and experience Timpanogos Cave lit only by the flicker of lanterns on this ranger-guided tour to celebrate 100 years as a national monument! 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.
The Timpanogos Cave System is accessed by hiking a strenuous 1.5 mile (2.4 km) paved trail with an elevation gain of 1,100 vertical feet. After completing the hike, visitors will see all three caves on a ranger-led tour. The route through the cave is paved, with several flights of stairs.
Because of the nature of this tour, ages 7 and up only. No infants or toddlers.
Location: Tours start at the visitor center.
Date: May 18, 2026 12:00am to May 18, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Owls Live Bird Program
Great Basin Wildlife Rescue will join us at 6:00pm this Saturday, May 30th at the Visitor Center Plaza to help you see live owls up close. Learn more about these incredible nighttime predators from ambassador animals who are not able to be released in the wild and ask questions to their devoted caretakers. Attendance to this event is free.
Location: The concrete plaza in front of the Visitor Center for Timpanogos Cave National Monument 2.5 miles up the American Fork Canyon on the Alpine Scenic Loop.
Date: May 30, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Read with a Ranger: The First Drawing by Mordicai Gerstein
Come to our Junior Ranger Program this Saturday, May 30th - Ranger Kaleb will be reading the book "The First Drawing" by Mordicai Gerstein. Kids will learn about pictographs, making art, and communicating through pictures. This event begins at 10:30am in the Swinging Bridge Picnic Area. It is aimed for those 4-7 years old but is open for everyone and free to attend. Reservations are not required.
Location: The first picnic area in the canyon on the left side of the road when travelling uphill.
Date: May 30, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Introduction to Caving Tour
The ranger-led tour spends 1.5 hours in the cave and introduces visitors to low-impact caving skills, safety and etiquette. With a helmet and headlamp you are ready to experience Hansen Cave in its natural state. You will scramble over boulders and sometimes even crawl on the trail leading to Hansen Cave Lake as you travel the same route Martin Hansen used to conduct tours in the late 1800s.
Date: Jun 1, 2026 12:00am to Jun 1, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Dark Skies Star Party - June
Join us for a free fun night of dark sky education. We'll look at constellations, use telescopes, and talk about the ways in which dark--and light--affect our lives. You may arrive at any time between the listed hours.
There will be activities for children before it gets dark and telescope viewing will begin as the stars begin to come out.
The canyon is cold at night! Consider bringing one more layer than you think you need - especially for children.
Red flashlights are welcome as they protect our night vision. Creating one can be a fun family activity before you arrive!
This program is weather dependent and may be cancelled with short notice. Please follow the event or our page as that is where we will provide updates.
The Pine Hollow Trailhead is 4.5 miles up-canyon from the Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center.
This program is made possible through a partnership with the US Forest Service Pleasant Grove Ranger District and the Utah Valley Astronomy Club.
Location: The Pine Hollow Trailhead is 4.5 miles up-canyon from the Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center. It is on the right side after going up the second switchback. Stay to the right when the road splits instead of going left towards Tibble Fork Reservoir.
Date: Jun 20, 2026 12:00am to Jun 20, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Dark Skies Star Party - July
Join us for a free fun night of dark sky education. We'll look at constellations, use telescopes, and talk about the ways in which dark--and light--affect our lives. You may arrive at any time between the listed hours.
There will be activities for children before it gets dark and telescope viewing will begin as the stars begin to come out.
The canyon is cold at night! Consider bringing one more layer than you think you need - especially for children.
Red flashlights are welcome as they protect our night vision. Creating one can be a fun family activity before you arrive!
This program is weather dependent and may be cancelled with short notice. Please follow the event or our page as that is where we will provide updates.
The Pine Hollow Trailhead is 4.5 miles up-canyon from the Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center.
This program is made possible through a partnership with the US Forest Service Pleasant Grove Ranger District and the Utah Valley Astronomy Club.
Location: The Pine Hollow Trailhead is 4.5 miles up-canyon from the Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center. It is on the right side after going up the second switchback. Stay to the right when the road splits instead of going left towards Tibble Fork Reservoir.
Date: Jul 18, 2026 12:00am to Jul 18, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Dark Skies Star Party - August
Join us for a free fun night of dark sky education. We'll look at constellations, use telescopes, and talk about the ways in which dark--and light--affect our lives. You may arrive at any time between the listed hours.
There will be activities for children before it gets dark and telescope viewing will begin as the stars begin to come out.
The canyon is cold at night! Consider bringing one more layer than you think you need - especially for children.
Red flashlights are welcome as they protect our night vision. Creating one can be a fun family activity before you arrive!
This program is weather dependent and may be cancelled with short notice. Please follow the event or our page as that is where we will provide updates.
The Pine Hollow Trailhead is 4.5 miles up-canyon from the Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center.
This program is made possible through a partnership with the US Forest Service Pleasant Grove Ranger District and the Utah Valley Astronomy Club.
Location: The Pine Hollow Trailhead is 4.5 miles up-canyon from the Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center. It is on the right side after going up the second switchback. Stay to the right when the road splits instead of going left towards Tibble Fork Reservoir.
Date: Aug 22, 2026 12:00am to Aug 22, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
2038 W. Alpine Loop Road
American Fork, UT 84003
🏤 Mailing Address:
2038 W. Alpine Loop Road
American Fork, UT 84003
📞 Voice Phone: (801)756-5239
✉️ Email: tica_info@nps.gov