About
There's an underground wonder that makes for a great day of discovery and amazement. Welcome to the Timpanogos Cave National Monument in American Fork.
Its story begins in 1887 when Martin Hansen discovered the world hidden beneath the rugged mountainside of American Fork Canyon.
Early visitors threatened Hansen Cave, leading to the loss of many of its natural formations. This incident set a precedent for the conservation efforts that would follow.
In the summer of 1913, two teenagers stumbled upon another subterranean abode that became the Timpanogos Cave. Their discovery was nearly lost due to a landslide and secrecy, but it was rediscovered in 1921 by Vearl Manwill.
This pivotal moment led to the dedication of the cave's preservation. The site was designated a national monument in 1922, crucial in safeguarding the cave and its intricate formations from further damage.
The monument, managed by the National Park Service, comprises three caves: Hansen, Middle, and Timpanogos Cave. These caves are connected by man-made tunnels from the 1930s.
Each cave offers a glimpse into an underground world of speleothems, such as helictites, stalactites, and stalagmites, which form a mesmerizing underground landscape.
Visitors can explore this underground wonder on guided tours, starting at the visitor center in American Fork Canyon.
Special lantern tours and an Introduction to Caving tours offer unique ways to experience the caves.
Fun Facts & Cool Features
One of the monument's most striking aspects is its location in the Wasatch Mountains, showcasing three spectacularly decorated caverns.
The caves are renowned for their abundance of helictites - these are unique and rare cave formations that defy gravity by growing in all directions, seemingly unaffected by the pull of gravity. This results from capillary forces acting on tiny water droplets, a feature that makes the Timpanogos Cave system genuinely unique.
Moreover, the caves are noted for their vibrant colorations. The formations inside are not just the usual white or cream; they are alive with hues due to the various minerals in the dripping water. These minerals paint a vivid and natural palette across the cave's canvas, creating a visual spectacle for visitors.
The cave system's fault-controlled passages illustrate the area's dynamic geology. These formations clearly indicate the natural forces that have shaped the caves over millennia.
The hike to the caves is an adventure in itself. The 1-1/2 miles-long paved trail, with a steep elevation gain of 1,092 feet, is a physical challenge and offers breathtaking views of American Fork Canyon and the expanding Utah Valley. This trail is as much a part of the experience as the caves.
Visiting Timpanogos Cave includes hiking to the caves, the tour, and the return hike. Overall, plan on this Heber City adventure taking 3-4 hours to complete.
Getting There
Here are the step-by-step driving directions from Heber City to Timpanogos Cave National Monument:
- Start on US-40 W from Heber City.
- Take the exit onto US-189 S toward Provo.
- Continue on US-189 S through Provo Canyon.
- Turn west onto Orem 800 North (UT 52).
- After 2.4 miles, turn right on State Street UT-89.
- After 3.8 miles, turn left (East) onto UT-92 (Timpanogos Highway).
- Head east on UT-92 for 12.5 miles.
- Address: 2038 E Alpine Lp Rd, American Fork, UT 84003.
Cost
While the park offers free entry, guided tours provide a more educational and safe way to explore:
- Regular Cave Tour: Cost: $12.00 – This 55-minute tour, led by a ranger, visits Hansen Cave, Middle Cave, and Timpanogos Cave. It includes multiple stairs and areas requiring bending and twisting.
- Lantern Tour: Cost: $17.00 – Experience the caves as early explorers did on this one-hour lantern-guided tour. This tour is suitable for visitors aged 7 and older.
- Introduction to Caving Tour: Cost: $22.00 – For those seeking a more adventurous experience, this tour involves scrambling and sometimes crawling to Hansen Cave Lake, retracing Martin Hansen's route from the late 1800s. This strenuous tour is for participants 14 years or older.
Prices are subject to change. Please check their website for updates.
Local Tips
- Tickets can be bought up to 30 days in advance and are highly recommended due to the tours' popularity.
- Each tour is limited to 16 visitors to ensure a quality experience and safety.
- Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and certain tours have specific age limits.
- No wheeled vehicles, including strollers, are allowed on the cave trail for safety reasons.
- The park has no entrance fee, keeping the cost on the lower side.