While passing through the West, we stopped to visit some friends in Utah. So while here, we decided to tackle the hike to Timpanogos Cave! Let's just say the trail was strenuous. There were plenty of moments when we questioned our life choices, but once we made it to the cave, it was absolutely worth every step, every uphill climb, and every "are we there yet?" Our Ranger Guide, Sean, was informative and entertaining. He also shared some fascinating history about the cave, including how it was discovered in 1887 and later developed into a national monument so visitors could safely explore its beautiful formations. Another great adventure on the road, with tired legs to prove it! read more

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This hike to the cave is absolutely worth the visit! The hike up is definitely steep, but the views along the way make it totally worth it. Thankfully, there are plenty of resting points where you can catch your breath, enjoy the scenery, and take in the canyon below. Once you reach the top, the cave tour itself is incredible, the formations are beautiful and the rangers do a great job explaining the history and geology. If you're up for a challenge with a rewarding payoff, this is the perfect adventure! read more

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This was a fun tour! We did the historical lantern tour and had a great tour guide. The historical lantern tour offers a more authentic feel and is not to be missed. All of the rangers were happy and greeted us with smiles! Also, the cave is a 1.5 mile hike up so be prepared. read more

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Timpanogos Cave National Park is a cave system on Mount Timpanogos in American Fork Canyon in the Wasatch Range, near Highland, Utah. The only access to the cave is by walking a strenuous one and half mile trail, which rises 1,092 feet to an elevation of 6,730 feet above sea level. The round-trip hike and tour of the cave system takes about three hours. Walking up the mountain was really difficult and my mother and I had to take many breaks. It took about three hours for us to make it up to the cave but there are so many opportunities to take great photos and enjoy the amazing views. When you reach the top you will be rewarded with great views and the victory that you made it because walking up this mountain is no joke. When we reached the cave, they were behind on the scheduled cave tour which I didn't mind because I needed a break from the climbing the trail. When exploring the cave, you learn the science behind the formations and hear stories of cave exploration and preservation. Also, I would bring a light jacket or sweater as it was cold in the cave. read more

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Very easy hike and gorgeous scenery. The tour itself is amazing and absolutely worth a visit. read more

Timpanogos Cave National Monument - Parks Near Me - American Fork, Utah

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I remember back in 2017 I came to this cave with my parents when we got to the big room of the cave they turn lights off I was scared and was amazed at how those who founded the caves way before I was thought of they had lanterns and amazingly felt their way in the dark read more

You may have seen caves before, but have you seen them inside a mountain? This is a super unique place, if you're up for a steep hike up a paved trail. It's paved the whole way, and you'll need a NPS reservation time (which is your start time at the beginning). Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and a sweatshirt for the cave. Not a place for sea-level visitors unless they're in amazing shape. Such amazing views along the whole trail. Bathrooms exist at the visitor center (modern) and near the top of the trail (primitive). The cave tours have about 15 people. Our tour happened to include two very loud and disruptive children who the ranger then catered our entire tour towards. Since we didn't sign up for a preschool tour ("let's all count the formations!"), I would recommend 1) parents- please make sure your young kids are ready to let the ranger talk, and not touch the caves, or wait until they're ready, and 2) NPS- maybe you can open some age-limited tours, like 12+ or even 10+? It really impacted the experience and I wish we could have joined a different tour group. read more

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If you are fit enough to walk up a steep, steep, steeeep paved trail for one-and-a-half miles, congratulations! Timpanogos will offer you quite the scenic stroll. On the other hand if you aren't an Olympic athlete, and/or have to carry a baby up the side of the mountain, be prepared for one heck of an exhausting, grueling workout climb! But take comfort in the fact that if you make it to the top, you will be rewarded with some awesome panoramic views and even a cave system to explore. Plus you will get a sense of accomplishment in making a 1,000-ft + elevation change during the hike upwards. If you do want to explore the caves, you will need advance reservations and tickets. These can be hard to get so plan well ahead of time. The caves themselves are pretty interesting and the guided tour will take about two and a half to three hours. There are some neat formations and an interesting history to the area that the tour guide should cover. Overall Timpanogos is far more than an unassuming information center with a little parking lot on the side of a canyon highway. All you need to do is look up. Five stars of hidden greatness! read more

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You need to purchase a pass ahead of time to be able to do a cave tour. I believe the cost was $12 a person. There is not an extra fee to be in the national park. I have a pass but they didnt ask to see it. You get your ticket time and then your actual tour time is 90 minutes after your ticket time. You need to check in inside and they will direct you where to go from there for the safety talk. 1. They want you to have 32 oz of water minimum 2. they want you to have a long jacket. It does get cold in the caves. 3. You will not be able to take in a big backpack or hard framed child carrier. After you check in and do the safety talk you will then have a 1.5 mile hike up a pretty steep hill. They have markers for 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 of the way. The trail is completely paved. There is not much shade. It is not an easy climb. So be mentally prepared. You can't touch the walls of the cave. It may be hard for young kids to do the hike and then follow the rules within the caves. So try to look at the rules prior to getting a ticket if you have a young family. The guides were all very friendly and had lots of information. It did get cold within the caves and I was grateful for my jacket. My son who is 6 foot 8 and 300 pounds could get through the tight spots BUT there was some points with major knee bending or bending over. If you are a bigger person and your joints are not so great that is something to consider. He hit his head once but that is because he didn't bend down far enough. I was glad we did this tour. Though my 16 and 20 year old were less than pleased with the climb up to the caves. Kids under 16 do need to stay with their parents on the trail. That is something to keep in mind. Also rock slides do happen. They have the trail marked clearly with red and yellow lines where it is most likely. I saw several kids running up the trail. If you are coming be sure to follow the rules for their safety as well. read more

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I've done this hike and the cave tours twice. Definitely a unique experience if you've never seen stalactites and stalagmites firsthand! These formations were preserved from thousands to millions of years. Will definitely leave an impression on what you know about the geology of Utah! The hike is only 1.5 miles up--3 miles roundtrip. However you must make reservations online and tickets are $12. Book through recreation.gov. And know that your reservation time is the time you start the hike! Not the time you should be at the top. They give you 90 mins from your reservation time to complete the hike. Plenty of time if you're in good shape! The tour itself is a little chilly inside the cave. Also there are stairs and some areas where you have to crouch low. My 58 yr old mom with a bad knee was not the biggest fan. But I think she's glad she completed the hike. read more

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This is one of those parks that just jumps out at you. Literally, if you are driving the Alpine scenic route, you will run right into it. The visitor center is right there and you've got lots of hiking around the area. The main highlight is the cave itself; a fairly steep but easy 1.5 mile hike to get to. The cave tour sells out in advance, so be sure to plan ahead. We had an enjoyable visit and while it was a nice tour, it is one of those caves that you go to once and that's it. read more

Timpanogos Cave National Monument - Parks Near Me - American Fork, Utah

THIS is definitely worth a visit!!! Paved parking lot. Does fill up but I have always been able to find a spot. Bathrooms at the trailhead are nice!! And heated!! Hike ALL the way to the cave is paved. There are benches to sit and your ticket for ANY of the cave tours gives you 1.5 hours to hike up. It is steep... but take your time. I see kids and elderly folks make it constantly. There are bathrooms almost to the top but they are vault toilets and not as nice. IF you are gonna do the cave intro tour, do yourself a favor and call for the normal tour too. I just did the intro tour. It was a neat experience to see parts of the Hanson cave that others can't but it's sooo short. You will need your own gloves but that's it. Some crawling and going down a rope but not too bad. BUT We actually went back the next week to do the normal tour. AND WOW! Sooo cool!!! You don't need any headlamps, they have it light up. Entire thing is paved and has hand rails. And you get to go to the middle cave and Timp cave! The facts are insane about the history, and it is sooo gorgeous! Only $12!!! You can hike the trail for free, no ticket needed and they hand out passes to scan for free if you plan on hiking it regularly. read more

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Although not the biggest cave, it's still an interesting and fun experience as long as you can physically complete the 3 mile round-trip hike with approx 1690 ft of elevation gain. The trail is completely paved but there is very little shade along the hike so I'd recommend going in the morning instead of noon like I did! Since they're only open during the summer, they often sell out of tickets. I'd recommend booking your tickets in advance at recreation.gov before coming. You check-in at the visitor's center at whatever time your ticket says, then you have 1.5 hours to hike up to the entrance of the cave to meet your park ranger for the guided cave tour. Inside the cave the temp is around 50 degrees so it is also recommended that you bring a some type of long sleeve or light jacket to wear. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen before you start your hike! They recommend at least 1 liter of water per person due to the heat. read more

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This is a great experience for any individual, couple or family and it's only a half day trip. The scenery is spectacular of the Rockies in American Fork Canyon. Thanks to Firstpageimpact.com/blog for sponsoring our trip! They were also amazing #firstpageimpa read more

Timpanogos Cave National Monument - This is me in the Salt Lake Valley many years after the trip and I am still smiling. - Parks Near Me - American Fork, Utah

This is an amazing place to visit!! Make sure you are physically fit enough for the climb up to the cave. Its a good 1.5 miles straight up a mountain. Amazingly they provide bathrooms at the bottom and top of this hike. The hike is completely paved and about 2-3ft wide in most places. There are many rock fall areas so mind all their safety warnings. Also, This cave tour requires a ticket purchased online so check their website for details. With all that said... come see this place! I have included photos to tempt you! read more

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Amazing experience. Kind of difficult getting up there with our 2yr old but worth it. Would definitely visit again. Staff is super friendly.

Get ready for an epic and steep hike. If you are not in shape, plan an extra 45 to an hour to walk up to the cave doors. Reservations and prior purchase tickets are highly recommended. Depending on the time of year, they may not be necessary. Once you make the hike up the hill to the cave doors, a ranger will reach you and go over safety briefings. The Ranger gave us ample time to ask discussions and show us unique things about the cave. read more

Absolutely love this place! Great views on the way up and down, and such cool places inside the cave. Be sure to bring water with you!

The first time I ever went up to the cave I didn't know you could reserve tickets ahead of time. So, when I got there I lucked out because all the slots had filled up already and I had to come back another day. Also, make sure to get your National Park Passport cancellation stamp in the Visitor Center. It's on the left when coming through the entrance. Also, make sure to request the Junior Ranger activity book if you have any Junior Rangers with you. read more

Timpanogos Cave National Monument - National Park passport cancellation stamps and Junior Ranger program. - Parks Near Me - American Fork, Utah

What an absolute magical experience. Highly recommend! I must mention the staff first, because they made the experience even better. They are extremely kind, caring. passionate, and a joy to be around. Thank you so much to Royce Shelley, Becca, and Roberta. Also, there was a gal who greeted us at the entrance and she was so sweet as well. Purchased tickets online for the 2pm tour. It was mostly shady with clear skies. Perfect time to head up. The views were spectacular; absolutely breathtaking. Great for the family, date, or solo. There are plenty of benches throughout the trail if you need to relax. It took us 45min to walk up. There are bathrooms at the start and up top. The entire trail is paved. In the cave, the floor is wet. Highly recommend good sneakers or trail running sneakers. A light jacket or sweater recommend for the cave, it gets about 55f. Carry as little as possible, all you need is a light jacket and a phone to take pictures. Pointless to carry unnecessary weight while taking this hike. Workout stats. 1,300 calories, distance 3.2 miles, highest elevation 7099. Total Time including tour guide 2hr. 33min. read more

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Definitely a must-do for anyone living in Utah County!! Timpanogas caves, is such a fun, unique hike. It's a quick drive into American Fork Canyon, and once you're there, the trail head is right next to the parking lot. The park rangers were all so friendly and helpful. When we checked in with our tickets, they made sure we had enough water and informed us about White Nose Syndrome. The hike is about 1.5 miles to the top, but it is very steep. It's paved, has a lot of switchbacks, and it has some amazing views looking into the valley! There is a bathroom near the top by the caves. Beware...it smells nasty!! But what do you expect from an outhouse? The caves are amazing. First of all, they're nice and cold which felt amazing after the tough hike. Second of all, they're just so cool!! It was crazy that I was in a naturally-made hole in the mountain. There were times when I felt a little bit claustrophobic, but for the most part it was nice and spacious. It was so cool to see all the stalagmites, stalactites, and pools of water. Our tour guide, Deb, was awesome. She was engaging and knowledgeable. TIPS: -Hike earlier in the day (especially during the hotter months)! It gets toasty fast. -Bring a jacket for the caves. It's about 40 degrees in there. -Don't be scared of earthquakes! I was a little panicky thinking I would die if there were an earthquake... But Deb told me that the caves are some of the safest places to be during earthquakes! In fact, you might not even feel it if an earthquake happened while you're in the caves. Come on, just do it. It's an experience you will never forget! read more

Timpanogos Cave National Monument - Parks Near Me - American Fork, Utah

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Timpanogos Cave is so much fun - and definitely should be on your list if you're an outdoorsy-exploratory person. Or if you're visiting from out of town - just keep the altitude in mind. #1: buy your tickets waaay ahead of time. A tour allows about 15-16 people at a time, and tickets go fast. We bought ours in August for a tour on September 8th. It is confusing. We ordered our tickets online ($12 per each adult), and were told it was a 55 minute tour of the cave. But, the entire process, should take you 3-3.5 hours. It's confusing when you order a time for tickets if you should be at the visitor center at your ticket time, or if you should be up at the cave. It's the first. Whatever your time, get to the visitor center then! From there, expect your hike UP to the cave, to run you anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. After wanting to do Timpanogos for years, the day we decided to finally go.... rained. They closed the trail for a little while, and thus our ascent was delayed. We hung around the visitor center, and checked out all the cute things we wanted to buy if we made it back down. They suggest you bring at least 32oz of water with you for the hike - and have a little spring water water fountain near the bottom of the trail. The trail is longer than you expect. But along the way there are signs talking about health, the rocks, and general information and old photos. There are benches to stop and break, if needed, and tons of picturesque moments. We were lucky enough to start the trail after a drizzle, so it was cooler. I can't really imagine doing this hike in the middle of summer, because it would have been hot hot hot. Once getting to the top, there is a pit toilet, and a little area you can wait while the rest of your tour is getting there. The Rangers at the top... were not very friendly at all. Our guide really seemed like she didn't want to be there, but got better with her explanation of cave information. I guess you're a ranger for the outdoors, and not necessarily people... Once you get past your deep hidden fear of caves and nocturnal monsters dwelling in them, or getting stuck in a cave-in, Timpanogos is amazing!! The very first door you go through, I found out, would be the only area one would see bats, if they were there that day. I was sad not to see any. As soon as you enter the caves, you can feel it get a lot cooler. They say it's around 46 degrees year round - which is insane, and at points, requires a jacket. The hardest part of my visit to the caves is the fact that you cannot touch anything. I love touching all things and everything, and they ask you not to touch the cave to preserve it. Throughout the tour, you'll learn about different types of cave growth: stalactites, stalagmites, etc. You'll see all sorts of colors, learn the history of the caves, see the drama that is the stalactite and mites growing towards each other, the faultlines, and see how physically dark the caves are when the lights are out (you cannot see a thing, you'd die in there, thank the lords for flashlights on phones). Such a fun time! Post-tour, you get to walk back down the hill. Harder on the knees, still a beautiful time, and perfect time for your photo-ops. It also goes much faster. Visit Timpanogos Cave!! Just realize it's a hike+cave time, not just cave exploring. And will take you around 3 hours to complete in its entirety. read more

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Alright, guys and gals. Imma give you the nitty gritty on Timpanogos cave, because their website does not provide any details, and to be honest, it's near deceptive regarding tour times. The only way to see the caves is via a tour (about 15 daily, and once a day they do a more involved "introduction to caving"). Reservations can be made via the recreation.gov website, or by calling 877-444-6777. Supposedly, they are available up to one hour prior to tour times, and then any remaining spots are "walk-up" only. On my recent visit, they'd just reopened for the season, and I attempted to make a reservation about 24 hours ahead (I could see availability on the website), but they could only be purchased in person. This is a long drive for most visitors without a guaranteed place! I went for it anyways, and thankfully snatched up two of the last three spots for an 8:00am tour (note, this was on a Tuesday-prior planning is A MUST for weekend visits, and I wouldn't dream of just showing up hoping to obtain admission). They were experiencing some sort of technological issue, so perhaps in the future the reservation system will be fixed, and correct as listed on the website. You will pay for the tour inside their newly renovated visitor's center ($12 for adults, $7 for children). At this time, we were interrogated regarding our water supply. I am a minimalist hiker, and declared I was not bringing any. The shock! We were admonished severely, but ultimately told it was our own (poor) choice. Of note, there is a whole gift shop here, restrooms, and on our visit, the Friends of Timpanogos Cave were even hosting a surprise pancake breakfast! We hung around for a while, finally heading to the trailhead around 7:40am. You do not have to be with your tour group for your walk to the cave, and they ask that you arrive 15 minutes early to go over safety stuff prior to the start. Water was brought up again, only this fellow simply would not allow us to go without some. Thankfully, we had a bottle in the car (they also sell them in the visitors center...convenient!), and we utilized the fill station located here. Returning to the trailhead, Hydroflask in hand, we were then informed that they really recommend 1 liter per person, but that was up to us. Good grief, enough with the water! It was like 65 degrees outside, and a mile and a half hike to the cave. Pretty sure I can manage without water for a few hours. Mercifully, he allowed us to go, and we started our ascent. This IS a steep trail: a little over 1000-foot elevation gain, which is a fair amount when the distance is only a mile and half. That said, it is paved, there are loads of viewpoints for taking a break, plus benches, so it is certainly doable for most. We passed people of all ages and levels of ability, and while it would admittedly be unpleasant in hot weather, you got this! We made it to the cave entrance in under 45 minutes, then waited. And waited. Our designated tour start time was 9:30am, but when one of the guides started gathering an earlier group, we asked if we could hitch on with them, and thankfully, there was space. Worth asking if you are in a similar situation! The tour itself explores three caves, with manmade tunnels connecting them. I won't go into the history (now you have to go yourself, haha!), but will just say that they've done a good job of keeping changes minimal - only what is necessary to allow accessibility. I've toured other caves that felt borderline touristy, and it ruined a lot of the magic, but I did not feel that was the case here. One of my favorite parts was about midway through, when our guide turned off all the lights, and everyone stood together in the most complete inky, black darkness, silent without even meaning to be. This sort of sensory deprivation is unlikely to occur elsewhere, and absolutely awe-inspiring. Afterwards, you can sign the guestbook, then make your way back down to the visitor's center. It was a little intense on the knees at times, so take it slow. And FYI: I didn't drink any of that stupid water, so there! In summary, your tour time is not the time on your ticket. You are expected to arrive 15 minutes prior to that, allowing 1 hour and 45 minutes to make it to the cave entrance, where you will then spend 30-45 minutes taking the actual tour, then however long you need to descend. Bring water or expect the wrath of every park employee you meet. A jacket really is nice for the 40 degree cave, as is a flashlight. It is unnecessary to bring a big ol' backpack (in fact, those with frames, or especially large ones, must be left outside). Know your photographs are going to be crap, but that forces you to be present in the experience. Do it at least once (and personally, if I could guarantee the trail would not be too crowded, I'd absolutely be up for going multiple times). read more

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The cave itself (actually, three interconnected caves) isn't the biggest, but the fact that it's in the top if a mountain is pretty cool. The hike up may be strenuous for some, but we see families there all the time. But the views are wonderful. Lots of locals hike the trail for exercise. Well worth the side trip. But you need to schedule your tour in advance on the National Parks website. read more

I really enjoyed the hike up to the Timpanogos Cave, which is actually a complex of three caves which are next to each other and intertwined. The trail leading up to the cave is well established and paved, but can be steep in areas. There are benches along the way so that you can stop and rest if needed. It took us less than an hour to get to the top. You need to have a ticket to enter the cave and tickets are limited. Time in the cave is guided by a park ranger and lasts for about an hour. The temperature in the cave is about 47 degrees so if you get cold remember to bring a hoodie or light coat. Inside the cave you will see beautiful formations and the guide talks about the history and the geologic formations. Beautiful views from the top of the mountain, and going down was quicker than going up. Remember to pack lots of water too and some snacks for the hike, but no food allowed in the caves. One really sad thing was that the kids in our group wanted to hear about the legend of Princess Timpangos. The guide refused saying that it was "a white mans story" and that guides are not allowed to talk about it. This is ridiculous given that the story is featured on the national Parks website. For that I removed 1 star. read more

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It's a pretty decent hike up to the cave along a paved trail but is family friendly. The tour through the cave is incredible. Get your tickets well in advance. Many people hike up and back to the cave for exercise. It's free and a good work out. read more

Head up American Fork Canyon and Mt. Timpanogos. Approximately 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. There you will find a small, 250 acre National Park. One of the most beautiful in the country. Hike up the mile & a half trail (yes, UP THE TRAIL! ) The trail gains over 1000' of elevation in that short distance. Be sure to wear good hiking boots and bring water and a light jacket. At the end of the trail you will enter a spectacular cavern with three beautiful chambers. It's always cool inside, so this is where you will really need that jacket. If you are going, be sure you go in the summer. Believe me this place is closed in the winter. In this country and in this snow you probably couldn't even find the trail. The Park is open from May to Labor Day and there are tours provided. The trail has multiple switchbacks with benches and views. I know, I sat down more than once to "enjoy the view." Actually, if you are in reasonable shape, it is an easy climb on a good trail. The inside of the cave is as all caves of this magnitude are - - SPECTACULAR! Don't miss this one. read more

Timpanogos Cave National Monument - Parks Near Me - American Fork, Utah

I got a chance to squeeze in the Timpanogos Cave tour and hike, while I was on a work trip in SLC. Quite frankly, I was only there to do a cave tour that my coworkers recommended. No one mentioned that I'd actually have to HIKE up to the cave to get to it. I should have researched it more than take my coworkers' word for it. Knowing I was going to do this hike, I purchased my tour ticket online a few days before. Adult tickets (16+) are $8. Junior tickets (6-15) are $6. Child tickets (3-5) are $4. Infants under the age of 2 are free. You are expected to check into your tour 15 minutes, before your tour time, at the Visitor Center. I actually scheduled a 1:15 tour. But, it actually doesn't start until 45 minutes later. That is the amount of time the ranger gives you to hike up the side of the mountain. Thankfully, I arrived at 1pm, giving myself a bit more time for my super slow ascent up to the cave. This is a steep and easy hike. Steep and easy? Oxymoronic? Steep, most definitely. But, it's easy because it's paved all the way to the top. No rock scrambling or dirt in your shoes here. Pretty much switch backs all the way. Some shade. Be wary of the red and yellow markings on the pavement, which indicate rock slide areas. You don't want to rest there. Move along. Move along. Obviously, you will need a good pair of walking shoes and water. A whole lot more water, if it's hot. There are gorgeous view points as you go up, so it's definitely not a boring hike visually. Several rangers were at the cave entrance to greet the cave explorers. They provided additional instructions to help preserve the cave and protect the creatures that live in it. Tour groups are kept fairly small. I was lucky to have a number of inquisitive kids on the tour. They thought of questions my adult brain would never have thought about. The tour, which took you through 3 caves, was very informative. The temperature was in the mid-low 50s. If you're prone to being cold, have a jacket or sweater on hand. The tour itself was about 30-40 minutes. Standing at 5'5", I nearly clocked myself dodging low rocks and had some tight squeezes through narrow tunnels. Be prepared to duck and weave. Overall, this was great! I got some hiking in. Got educated about the Timpanogos Caves, including discover, rock formations and preservation efforts. Totally worth it. read more

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One of the best hikes I've ever been on! Ambiance​/Atmosphere: The view is so scenic! The air feels so clean too. It's not loud at all. Yes, there will always be people at every corner, but it's a good amount of quiet & busyness! Level of difficulty: I went with my family and didn't realize that we were actually going up a mountain, so I wore sandals! My parents, who are in their late 50s, were able to go up this mountain easily too. My mom even wore a dress. The hike itself was about 2 hours - not long at all! The actual walkways are pretty wide, they can get a bit narrow at some times, but still able to perfectly fit 2 people to walk normally side by side. If you're visiting​ SLC, Utah, I definitely recommend! Easy hike + great views + caves! Tip: No service! It'll be pretty hard to call anyone once you get straight in the area. read more

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Timpanagos cave was the main reason for my trip to American Fork Canyon last year and it didn't disappoint. Make sure you get your tickets ahead of time because they can sell out and they do get busy. They have guided tours of the caves with a max number of 16 per group, I believe. Tours are given at 15 minute intervals throughout the day, so it is best to get your tickets ahead of time. The welcome center is right off the Alpine Loop. You can buy tickets there if you don't get them online, which is highly recommended. They have a small gift shop and rest rooms at the center, too. The time on your ticket is the time you should check it at the welcome center. From there, you have to hike up a strenuous 1.5 mile trail full of switchbacks to reach the cave entrance. They factor in an hour and a half for the hike, so if your ticket is for 8:15, your tour at the cave entrance starts at 9:45. We made it up in about an hour. Our tour guide, Heather, was great. Very informative and articulate and full of corny jokes and puns. The tour lasts about an hour through the 1800 ft. trail that is paved but narrow in many spots. You also have to watch your head as the roof of the cave varies in height. It was a gorgeous tour full of great photo ops and I'd highly recommend going if you're into this sort of thing. They also have an introduction to caving tour for a separate price but you have to be at least 14 years old. read more

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Put this on your to do list! The cave tour is absolutely amazing and full of interesting facts of the history of the cave. I was nervous doing this with a 4 month old baby due to the reviews of it "being strenuous" and all, but really, it's fine. It's like an hour of being on a stair master machine. Plenty of benches to stop and take breaks at. It took about an hour to get to the cave entrance for us. We stopped a couple of times to read the informational signs along the trail, plus a mountain goat was kicking rocks. I would advise to be exceptionally careful on this trail with its potential dangers. Some people did have helmets on during their hike. Inside the cave, it is a bit tight so I'd be really careful if you're carrying a baby. I'm quite a small person so carrying a baby wasn't a dealbreaker to get through the tight passageways. But if you're over 5'2, good luck it's like a Pilates session in some parts, but doable!! And worth it!! We had a wonderful guide, Sabrina, that shared so much info and answered questions afterwards. Make sure you do some leg stretches at the bottom and bring water! read more

Timpanogos Cave National Monument - Trail - Parks Near Me - American Fork, Utah

I have been going here ever since I was a little kid. It's an excellent hike up with some beautiful views and a very cool cave tour to reward you for your hiking effort. We just visited and finally brought our son (9) for his first visit. We waited so long to come back because before he was born we came with my niece (3 at the time) and I had to carry her all the way up. Although it was a good workout for me, it wasn't something I wanted to do again. The GOOD: Paved hike. Awesome views. Cool cave tour. The BAD: Sometimes getting a reservation can be very tough. Just try to plan ahead, because spontaneous visit is unlikely going to work. Sometimes you get a cave tour guide that isn't the greatest. read more

It is an easy paced hike to the caves. Need to purchase a permit ahead of time to go in. By the time you get to the ca we you welcome the cool air but it can get a bit chilly towards the end. read more

This cave was absolutely AH-MAZING! I would definitely recommend this spot to check out in the summer! In the winter time, this place is just plain closed. Pro-tip for checking this place out? DEFINITELY RESERVE TICKETS EARLY! You can reserve tickets online or via phone but there are a restricted number of reserve ahead tickets. Otherwise, you have to just show up and hope that there are tickets available for the time slot that you want to tour the cave. We visited two days in a row and finally were able to get tour tickets when we showed up first thing in the morning. My other tip would definitely be to give yourself plenty of lead time before your designated tour time. You will need time to get through the wildnerness entrance. Sometimes, on the weekends, you can be waiting in line at the gate for quite some time just to get into the wilderness area. Then you have to drive through the mountains to get to the cave. Two of our friends didn't get to tour the cave because they got stuck in line at the entrance gate and didn't make the cut off for the tour time. If you showed up in the morning to pick up your tickets, I would recommend packing a sack lunch and just picnicking in the wildnerness area until your tour time. There are no shortage of beautiful views and picnicking spots in the wilderness area. You also want plenty of time to hike up to the cave entrance from the cave visitor center. If you're from flatlands or even a little out of shape, you also want plenty of time to hike up the mountain. The altitude, combined with the somewhat intense climb was definitely a challenge. Given enough time however, almost anyone can handle this hike since there is a paved trail the entire way. When we came in July it was hot hot hot outside and really cool temps in the cave. You'll want to pack plenty of water and dress in layers so you can be comfortable outside and warm inside the cave. The sun at these higher altitudes can also be pretty intense so I would recommend you wear sunscreen and pack plenty of water! The last thing you want is to feel thirsty and sunburned when you still have a mile left to hike up the mountain. read more

Timpanogos Cave National Monument - You can buy Jeffrey's book here! - Parks Near Me - American Fork, Utah

Our tour guide Alex was absolutely amazing! He was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. I would highly recommend this tour! The hike to the top was stunning. Definitely a must see! You won't regret it! read more

Gorgeous views hiking up to the cave, and the cave itself is spectacular. Here's what to expect: 1.) Buy a ticket and wait for a ranger to give you a little speech at the bottom. You are given 90 minutes to make the climb on your own and rejoin your group. As an able-bodied 35 year old, I made the climb in an easy 50 minutes. It is a long slog uphill though, so know the abilities of thyself and thy companions. Lots of benches along the way. 2.) Enter the cave with your group. There are a lot of tight spaces inside so they will ask you to swing backpacks around to your front. Also, hiking poles are a no-no unless you can collapse them into your pack. Tripods are forbidden, but photography is allowed. 3.) It will be cold inside. You will be in a line of people moving through at a good clip so there's not a lot of time to stop and smell the cave fungus. Quite a lot of tight spaces to get through so you will have to bend, wiggle and writhe from time to time. I'm 6'3" and over 250lbs. and didn't have much of a problem. 4.) Cave tour lasts maybe 40-50 minutes and you're left to make your way back down the hill. A bottle filling station is at the bottom fed by natural springs. read more

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Lovely setting and free if you don't enter the caves. Bathrooms were clean and up to date.

Beautiful drive. Not too bad of a hike...ok so I may have been bent over a few times sucking wind because I was new to the state and the altitude kicked my butt but not tooooo bad! Breathtaking scenery and even a few benches to rest on along the way. Watch your footing it gets narrow! Cave was cool(literally) and a little claustrophobic but learned a lot! read more

Timpanogos Cave National Monument - Almost to the top! - Parks Near Me - American Fork, Utah

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Wow I have found such amazing treasures in Utah and this is no exception! We purchased tickets in advance online and arrived to our meeting site, where someone gave us some instructions. We had plenty of time to get up to the cave. I was concerned about not making it up with the the things I read but with the paved path it wasn't bad at all! The cave itself was legit. Dark, musty, and slightly claustrophobic at times. A child did cry there on a specific spot with little lighting. Highly recommended!! No longer going to be a hidden gem thanks to yelp lol read more

A stunning end to a winding trail up the face of the mountain. Not really suitable for children unless you take long walks often. Make sure you keep an eye on your kids since there is numerous areas where they could get too close to the edge. I would recommend this for a day date with the misses. read more