State park
National monument · Utah County
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Three linked limestone caves high on the wall of American Fork Canyon, reached by a steep paved trail. Ranger-led tours only, and some of the best helictites anywhere.
Photo: RuggyBearLA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Timpanogos Cave is actually three caves, Hansen, Middle and Timpanogos, joined by tunnels and hung with formations: stalactites, flowstone and a remarkable concentration of helictites, the twisting, branching formations that seem to defy gravity. The Great Heart of Timpanogos, a large joined stalactite, is the cave’s most famous feature.
Getting there is half the experience. A paved trail climbs about 1,100 feet in a mile and a half up the side of American Fork Canyon, with views down to the river and across to the peaks of the Wasatch. Visitors enter only on ranger-guided tours, which run in the warmer months and sell out on weekends and holidays.
Make a day of the canyon. The Alpine Loop Scenic Byway continues past the monument to Sundance and Provo Canyon, and the canyon has picnic areas, fishing and trails.
Don't miss
- Cave tourA ranger-led walk through all three linked caves, about an hour inside.
- Great Heart of TimpanogosA large joined stalactite shaped like a heart, the cave’s signature formation.
- HelictitesTwisting, branching formations that grow in every direction.
- Cave trailA steep paved climb with big views of American Fork Canyon.
- Alpine Loop Scenic BywayA winding mountain road past Mount Timpanogos, best in fall color.
Hikes in Timpanogos Cave
Good to know
- Buy tickets in advance on Recreation.gov; tours are small and sell out on weekends and holidays.
- Plan for about three to four hours for the hike up, the tour and the walk down.
- The cave stays cool year-round. Bring a light jacket even in July.
- The Alpine Loop beyond the monument closes in winter; check road status in spring and fall.