The Trail
A 1.5 mile hike (one-way) is required to reach the cave entrance. When you purchase your ticket for the cave tour, you will see a time listed. This is your hike start time! Be sure you are at the Visitor Center by this time.
From the Visitor Center, you are allotted 1.5 hours to hike the trail and reach the cave entrance for your tour. Most people are able to reach the cave within that time frame, but take your time if you need to — the rangers will do their best to get you in if you happen to miss your tour time.
The trail immediately begins to climb up the mountainside, and amazing views of the canyon below can be enjoyed the whole way up!
The trail continues to wind up the mountain. Be on the lookout for several tunnels along the way!
Occasionally the trail has barriers, but often it does not. Small children should be supervised at all times and in no circumstances should anyone be running on this trail (especially on the way back down). Families are definitely encouraged to hike to the caves, but please make sure the rules are followed to ensure everyone’s safety!
The hike to the Timpanogos Cave entrance is 3 miles roundtrip and gains nearly 1100 vertical feet. Expect plenty of switchbacks and very little shade during the day. If you plan on hiking this trail during June, July, or August, I strongly suggest reserving your tickets for the early morning — hiking in the afternoon is miserably hot!
Keep climbing up that trail! You’ll soon be rewarded with spectacular views of the canyon — and the entrance to the caves. As you wait for your cave tour to begin, have fun finding fossils in the rocks in the waiting area.
Listen carefully for the ranger to announce your tour time and have you tickets ready — now it’s time for the real adventure to begin!
The Caves
The tour through the caves lasts approximately 55 minutes and travels another mile or so on a paved walkway. Bending, stair-stepping, twisting, and turning are all a part of the cave-exploring experience. Take care not to touch the fragile formations and keep a close eye on your children. These caves have been well-preserved and they deserve to be protected for future generations. Please be respectful and do your part!
I’m not going to go into much detail about what you will see on the tour. This is so that you can truly feel like you are encountering the dazzling and peculiar formations found within for the first time. I will say this — the beauty is in the small details. Bring your own flashlight and find your favorite formation!
Here is an example of what you will see inside the caves:
SPECTACULAR right?!?! And that’s just a small sampling of the formations found within Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Have a fabulous time discovering the beauty of these caves!
PS — When you leave the caves and start heading back down the trail, don’t put your camera away just yet. The view going down the canyon from the exit trail is phenomenal!!
Getting Here
Timpanogos Cave National Monument is located in American Fork Canyon, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. To get here, travel on I-15 to Exit 284 {Alpine-Highland-Thanksgiving Point exit}. After exiting the freeway here, travel approximately 10 miles east along Highway 92. The highway will take you into American Fork Canyon, where you will pass a fee station {no fee required if the ONLY place you are going is to the monument}. Drive up the canyon a little further until you see the signs for Timpanogos Cave. Turn right and park in the parking area next to the Visitor Center.
Have you been here? Do you have any questions about the trail or the caves? Let me know in the comments below!
Hi Ash!
I remember going there, that was a great hike and so interesting and pretty in the caves.
Sheree
I can vaguely remember that, but it seems like I was really young haha. That may have been the same trip that Michael chased me around the backyard with the hose :)
Hi Ash,
Thanks for another excellent review. We are planning to see the caves this August. If we do the 7am tour approximately what time will we be back at our vehicle?
Another question, we will be towing our tent trailer as we will be stopping on our way up to Yellowstone. Is there room in the parking lot for a mini-Van towing an eight foot tent trailer?
Hey Heather,
Thanks for reminding me that I need to add the timing to my post. The whole experience takes about 3.5 to 4 hours to complete. As for the tent trailer, parking is pretty limited, but if you were there that early you should be able to find a spot. There are a few pullouts along the road near the Visitor Center and that’s where I would park. I don’t think they have any designated parking for large vehicles, but those pullouts should work just fine!